Fashion Fair’s perfume Noir, launched in 1973, quickly became a beloved fragrance among its clientele, embodying the brand's luxurious appeal. However, its journey took an unexpected turn when, in 1979, the perfume had to be renamed Ebone due to a trademark infringement suit filed by Parfums Weil. The name "Noir" had already been trademarked by Weil, and this legal conflict forced Fashion Fair to reevaluate their branding. Rather than risk further legal complications, the brand chose to rename the fragrance, demonstrating how even successful products can be reshaped by external factors such as intellectual property rights.
This case highlights how legal disputes can influence the course of a brand, with naming choices being particularly sensitive in industries like perfumery, where names play a significant role in a fragrance's identity. The shift from Noir to Ebone was more than just a legal necessity—it also became a part of the fragrance's evolving story, allowing the brand to maintain its distinctive presence in the market while adhering to the constraints of trademark law. This episode underscores how business decisions are often intertwined with legal frameworks, even in the creative world of perfumery.
