A brand that looks back on a vibrant past spanning decades. Since its founding in 1957, GRAVEL has seen trends come and go, always remaining 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 still available in the USA, and its visionary founder !
The founding
Michael B. Knudsen, the visionary behind GRAVEL, overcame numerous challenges to realize his dream of creating his own perfume.
He began with his first creation in the 1950s. At that 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 fragrances.
Each fragrance in the SIGNATURE COLLECTION tells the story of Michael B. Knudsen's remarkable life and bears his unmistakable signature. Born in Scandinavia in 1911, he ventured across the ocean to America in the 1930s ( ACROSS THE OCEAN ). A young man who, like so many of his generation, succumbed to the allure of the American Dream ( AMERICAN DREAM ). It was the golden age of Hollywood, and Knudsen, too, fell under the spell of the film industry. As a charismatic and handsome young man, he acted in several films and immersed himself in the glamorous world of show business. This shaped his refined taste, his appreciation for beauty, and his luxurious lifestyle. GRAVEL's numerous connections to prominent figures and members of high society date back to this 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 bring a part of this essence to the new, burgeoning America, without denying the beginning of the upheaval of the late 1950s. From this drive arose his need to create a fragrance that unites all his experiences, values, hopes, and promises.
Driven by his vision and supported by Hazel Guggenheim, the concept for his first perfume, Gravel a Man's Cologne, gradually took shape in New York. With this fragrance, he created a lasting legacy. It was the first men's fragrance from the USA and was first launched in 1957. Until then, aftershaves and similar products were predominantly used in the USA. At that time, Knudsen had no idea how profoundly Gravel would shape his life and the American fragrance landscape. He dedicated the rest of his life to the development of Gravel, putting his charisma, contacts, and all his energy at the service of the brand. It can be rightly said that the US fragrance industry was significantly influenced by Knudsen's pioneering work and visionary creation.
Each bottle is still filled by hand and made unique with gravel from the Hudson River . Since the sale of the first bottle in 1957 on 46th Street in New York, Michael B. Knudsen's legacy lives on in every fragrance he creates. In his more than 60 years in the perfume industry, he developed numerous fragrances for women, men, and, as a pioneer, unisex scents.
The first perfume
In the 1950s, wearing perfume in the USA, especially for men, was not yet commonplace; aftershave was the predominant form. Knudsen, however, pursued the vision of creating a fragrance that was both distinctive and timeless. He dreamed of a perfume where scent, design, name, and presentation would blend harmoniously, creating a unique experience that would break down the prevailing prejudices against perfume. A perfume that would be remembered by everyone who held it.
Knudsen's unwavering commitment to quality, down to the smallest detail, resulted in an intensive and often arduous development process. The "GRAVEL" project teetered on the brink of failure several times. The end result was a fragrance of such exceptional quality that its production costs far exceeded those of an average perfume. This presented Knudsen with the dilemma that conventional marketing was hardly feasible. Therefore, GRAVEL was among the pioneers sold exclusively through select retailers and direct sales, paving the way for the concept of niche perfumes. It is thanks to Michael Knudsen's perseverance and passion that GRAVEL was successfully established despite all the obstacles and gifted the world with unforgettable fragrances.
The first years
In 1957, after completing his fragrance, Knudsen intended to give the first three bottles to an NBC editor. He happened to be walking past FR Tripler on 46th Street , a renowned men's clothing store in Manhattan with a long tradition. On a whim, he decided to introduce his perfume there. The staff were skeptical and surprised by his optimism about getting it into their inventory so close to Christmas. However, the fragrance and drugstore buyer, who overheard the incident, was impressed by GRAVEL and promptly added it to their product line. 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. Personalities such as Dave Garroway on the NBC Today Show, Hermione Gingold, Jack Parr, Johnny Carson, and many others featured the fragrance on their programs. Over the years, a loyal fan base developed, including numerous celebrities who often bought several bottles at once to avoid long waiting times. GRAVEL contributed significantly to the fragrance boom in the USA during the 1960s.
The Evolution of GRAVEL
After Knudsen's death, GRAVEL fell into obscurity for a time and became a rare vintage perfume, found only in private collections. Christian Blessing, a passionate GRAVEL enthusiast, experienced this firsthand. He was captivated by the complex, timeless fragrances and the brand's unique history.
Driven by the desire to use the perfumes again, he conceived the wish to restore GRAVEL to its former glory. The years-long search for the heirs of the trademark rights and the effort to convince them to purchase this piece of American history were intense. The focus was always on returning GRAVEL to a family-run company that would remain true to Knudsen's ideals and the brand's values. After years of absence, GRAVEL was successfully relaunched in 2018, continuing the legacy in Knudsen's spirit. Today, just as in the past, the fragrances are presented exclusively in select boutiques.
Knudsen himself laid the foundation for GRAVEL's enduring success. He personally selected the stones for each bottle on the Hudson River and oversaw production until his death at the age of 98. His impressive personality and multifaceted life position GRAVEL as one of the oldest perfume brands still available in the USA.
Since its relaunch, Christian Blessing has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the GRAVEL brand. With a clear vision for the future, he embraces new challenges and takes bold steps to further advance the brand. The foundation for this is an uncompromising pursuit of quality, down to the smallest detail. This involves reviving fragrances, creating new compositions, and developing products that not only honor GRAVEL's rich history but also meet the high expectations of today's discerning clientele.
TRANSCENDENCE
With the TRANSCENDENCE COLLECTION , GRAVEL opens a new chapter in its long history – driven by our aspiration (EAU D'ASPIRATION) for olfactory excellence, this collection reflects GRAVEL's deep-rooted passion for exceptional fragrances and uncompromising perfumery.
At its core is the desire (EAU D'ESIRE) for perfumes that are more than just a scent: they are the olfactory echo of deep emotions. Bold, striking compositions that enhance one's presence and reflect one's inner self. For individual personalities who follow their own path – determined, dominant (EAU D'DOMINANCE ), and full of drive.
GRAVEL stands for continuous evolution (EAU D'EVOLUTION ) – a constant advancement of the art of fragrance. Our perfumes accompany you on your journey, underscore your development, and capture those unique moments that make life special.
Our fragrances are more than just perfumes. They are an expression of an attitude. The expression of a brand that continually reinvents itself – without ever losing its identity.
