THE STORY BEHIND GRAVEL NEW YORK 1957
A brand that looks back on a vibrant past over the decades. Since its founding in 1957, GRAVEL has seen trends come and go and has always remained true to itself.
Perfumes that, like the gravel pebbles in every bottle, stand the test of time.
Immerse yourself in the eventful history of GRAVEL, one of the oldest perfume manufacturers in the USA still available today its visionary founder!
The Beginning
Michael B. Knudsen, the visionary behind GRAVEL New York 1957, overcame numerous challenges to realize his dream of owning his own perfume.
He began his first creation in the 1950s. At that point in time, it was not yet foreseeable that he would develop a classic that would mark the beginning of over 70 years of perfume history with numerous scents.
Each fragrance tells of Michael B. Knudsen's remarkable life. Born in Scandinavia in 1911, he dared to cross the ocean in the 1920s (ACROSS THE OCEAN) to America. A young man who, like so many of his generation, embraced the promise of the American Dream (AMERICAN DREAM) he laid. It was the golden era of Hollywood and Knudsen also fell for the charms of the film industry. A charismatic and handsome young man, he starred in several films and immersed himself in the glamorous world of show business. This shaped his exquisite taste, his penchant for beauty and his luxurious lifestyle. GRAVEL's numerous connections to prominent personalities and members of high society date back to that time.
These experiences, his European roots and the resulting tension between this “classic” style and the emerging social changes awakened in him the desire to transport part of this essence to the new, blossoming America. without denying the beginning of upheaval in the late 1950s. From this urge came his need to create a fragrance that would combine all of his experiences, values and hopes and promises.
Driven by his vision and supported by HAZEL Guggenheim, the concept of his first perfume was gradually developed in New York, GRAVEL A MAN’S COLOGNE. With this fragrance he created a lasting legacy. It was the first men's perfume from the USA. Until then, after-shaves and similar products were mainly used. At that time, neither Knudsen nor Guggenheim had any idea how profoundly GRAVEL would shape his life and the American olfactory landscape. He dedicated the rest of his life to the development of GRAVEL and put his charisma, his contacts and all his energy at the service of his brand. It is fair to say that the US fragrance industry has been significantly influenced by Knudsen's pioneering and visionary work.
To this day, each bottle is filled by hand and is made from gravel stones Hudson River to a unique piece. Since the first bottle was sold in New York in 1957 46th Street, Michael B. Knudsen's legacy lives on in each of his fragrances. In his over 60 years in the perfume industry, he has developed numerous fragrances for women, men and, as a pioneer, unisex fragrances.
The First Fragrance
In the 1950s, wearing perfume in the USA, especially for men, was not yet a given; They mainly used aftershave. Knudsen, however, pursued the vision of creating a fragrance that was both unmistakable and timeless. He dreamed of a perfume in which the scent, design, name and presentation merge harmoniously and were so unique that it could break through the reservations about perfumes at the time. A perfume that will be remembered by anyone who holds it in their hands.
Knudsen's unshakable quality standards right down to the last detail resulted in an intensive and often laborious development process. The “GRAVEL” project was on the verge of failure several times. The end result was a fragrance of such outstanding quality that its production cost far exceeded that of the average perfume. This presented Knudsen with the dilemma that conventional marketing was hardly feasible. Therefore, GRAVEL was among the pioneers, sold exclusively through selected retailers and direct sales, paving the way for the concept of niche perfumes. It is thanks to Michael Knudsen's persistence and passion that GRAVEL was successfully established despite all the hurdles and gave the world many unforgettable fragrances.
The Early Years
In 1957, after completing his fragrance, Knudsen wanted to give away the first three bottles produced to an NBC editor. He happened to be walking past the F. R. Tripler store in the 46th Street past, a men's outfitter in Manhattan that has been renowned for generations. He spontaneously decided to present his perfume there. The employees were skeptical and were surprised at his optimism about being able to stock the product so close to Christmas. But the buyer for fragrance and drugstore products, who happened to hear the incident, was impressed by GRAVEL and promptly added it to his product range. This moment marked the beginning of an impressive success story. From then on, GRAVEL was only available in the most exclusive stores and quickly achieved cult status, supported by numerous media reports. Personalities such as Dave Garroway on the NBC Today Show, Hermione Gingold, Jack Parr, Johnny Carson and many others featured the scent on their shows. Over the years, a loyal fan base developed, including numerous celebrities, who often bought several bottles at the same time to avoid long waiting times. GRAVEL contributed significantly to the fragrance boom in the USA in the 1960s.
The evolution of GRAVEL
"After Knudsen's death, GRAVEL fell into obscurity for some time and became a rare vintage perfume that could only be found in private collections. Christian Blessing, a passionate GRAVEL enthusiast, experienced this firsthand. The fascination with the complex, timeless scents and the unique history of the brand had captivated him."
Out of the desire to be able to use the perfumes again, the wish arose in him to restore GRAVEL to its former glory. The years-long search for the heirs of the trademark rights and the persuasion to buy a piece of American history from them were intense. The focus was always on the desire to return GRAVEL to a family-oriented company that remains true to Knudsen's ideals and the values of the brand. After years of absence, it was possible in 2018 to bring GRAVEL back to the market and continue the legacy in Knudsen's spirit. Today, just like back then, the fragrances are exclusively presented in selected boutiques.
Knudsen himself laid the foundation for GRAVEL's enduring success. He personally selected the stones for each bottle from the Hudson River and oversaw production until his death at the ripe old age of 98. His impressive personality and multifaceted life position GRAVEL as one of the oldest, still available perfume brands in the USA.
Since the restart, Christian Blessing has dedicated himself to the evolution of the brand GRAVEL with passion. With a clear vision for the future, he embraces new challenges and takes bold steps to further advance the brand. The foundation is an uncompromising pursuit of quality, down to the smallest detail. Fragrances are being revived, new compositions are created, and products that not only honor the rich history of GRAVEL but also meet the high expectations of a discerning clientele in today's world.
