A frequently asked question at MIGLOT Parfums: "Which perfumes are for women and which are for men?" It’s not a strange question, as all our bottles look the same and aren’t categorized by gender. This was a deliberate choice made by perfumer Kristof Lefebre when founding MIGLOT Parfums.
The habit of categorizing products, such as perfumes, based on gender is not surprising, just as we do with clothing, colors (pink for girls, blue for boys), and even hairstyles (long versus short). But is this really necessary?
"Take skirts and dresses, for example. Our first thought might be that these garments are meant for women, but what if we see a monk or a Scottish man dressed in a tunic or a kilt? Feminine? To me, these are powerful images."
— Kristof Lefebre, founder of MIGLOT Parfums
In the world of perfumery, there’s a clear divide: woody scents are often considered masculine, while fruity or floral notes are associated with femininity. Marketing campaigns play a major role in this. Perfumes for women are often described as soft and romantic, while men’s fragrances evoke images of strength and coolness.
Yet, some women prefer warm or powerful woody fragrances over florals but feel discouraged by the label "For men" on the bottle.
"At MIGLOT Parfums, we want you to feel free to wear what makes you happy. That’s why all our perfumes are gender-free. We use the term 'gender-free' instead of 'unisex.' The latter often implies that the perfume can be worn by both women and men because it cannot be classified by gender—like marine scents, for example. Gender-free goes a step further: it makes no distinction at all. Every perfume is for everyone.
The concept of gender-neutral perfumes isn’t a trend; it’s the new normal."
— Kristof Lefebre, founder of MIGLOT Parfums
A survey conducted by IVOX in February 2022 on behalf of MIGLOT Parfums shows that most Belgians believe scent has no gender. Everyone should wear a perfume they love.
Yet persistent norms remain. One in three Belgians finds it inappropriate for a man to wear a "women's perfume." Interestingly, men adhere to these gender rules more often than women. Still, 36% of men say they find women’s perfumes actually smell better, while 27% of women prefer men’s fragrances.
Read more about the survey results in Knack Weekend. [Willot, I. (2022, October 5). Geur zonder gender. Knack Weekend, 40, 40-41.]
An extra benefit of our gender-free perfumes is that you can share them with others. Going on a trip? You only need to bring one fragrance to share with your travel companions. Less luggage, more shared holiday memories!
The minimalist bottles of MIGLOT Parfums embody the essence of our vision: gender-free Eau de Parfums that offer you freedom. No stereotypes where florals are for women and woody notes for men. No misleading marketing names, just simple Formula numbers.
At MIGLOT Parfums, it’s all about your freedom. You decide which scent to wear.
Discover our 25 MIGLOT Formulas with our MIGLOT Perfume Box.
Wear your freedom. The choice is yours.