Fragrance house

Williams

Williams traces its history to James Baker Williams, who opened a soap company in Glastonbury, Connecticut, in 1847 and developed Williams’ Genuine Yankee Soap, described as the first manufactured soap made for use in shaving mugs. By the early 20th century, the business had expanded into shaving creams, talcum powder, toilet soaps and other men’s toiletry products. Aqua Velva is the clearest fragrance-related legacy associated with Williams: J.B. Williams filed the trademark in 1917 for face lotions and after-shave preparations, and the line became part of the company’s internationally known men’s toiletry identity. Combe acquired J.B. Williams in 2002, bringing legacy names including Aqua Velva into its portfolio; Combe currently markets Aqua Velva in the United States and Canada.