Fragrance house

Zadig & Voltaire

Founded in Paris in 1997 by Thierry Gillier, Zadig & Voltaire took its name from Voltaire’s novel Zadig, or the Book of Fate, whose protagonist influenced its founder. Its early identity combined casual-chic, rock-influenced fashion with an emphasis on cashmere and knitwear, while art served as a creative reference. The brand expanded from womenswear into menswear in 2004 and childrenswear in 2006. Cécilia Bönström, artistic director from 2006, shaped the brand through androgynous silhouettes, storytelling-led collections, and a balance between softness and strength. In January 2020, Peninsula invested in Zadig & Voltaire while Gillier retained majority ownership. After Bönström’s departure, Gillier took over artistic direction in January 2024, returning the creative lead to the founder’s vision and the brand’s rock-oriented roots. In fragrance, Zadig & Voltaire built a black-and-white pairing around sandalwood as a shared olfactory signature; This Is Her!, created by Sidonie Lancesseur and Michel Almairac, is a defining example.