The diptyque story begins in Paris in 1961, with 3 friends – an interior designer, a painter and a set designer. When they met, it sparked a chain of creativity, that continues to resonate through the brand today.

They met through friends of friends. Christiane graduated from l’Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, Desmond was a painter. Together they designed fabric and wallpaper for ultra-chic British Maisons. Then, some other friends introduced them to Yves Coueslant, who had escaped an unlikely career in banking to follow his heart and work… in theatre.

The trio’s very first shop, located at 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, opened onto the street like a two-part Italian Renaissance or Flemish master’s painting. diptyque shook up a traditional Parisian neighbourhood by creating a delightfully new and wonderous experience: a concept-store, or bazaar as it was called in years past. It was an unusual boutique with a daring plan: listen to their intuition and only do what they love. Nothing dampened their friendship as their business grew, and diptyque spread the creations born of this incomparable friendship all around the world.

In 1968 the group created their first Eau de Toilette, and over the coming years scented candles, roll-on perfumes, room sprays and skincare.