Ho Hang by Balenciaga, launched in 1971, arrived during a time of tremendous cultural upheaval and self-expression. The early 1970s marked a pivotal shift in fashion, music, and identity—where tradition and rebellion danced hand in hand. Gender roles were softening, Eastern philosophies were captivating Western minds, and style was veering away from rigid formality toward something freer, earthier, and more introspective. Into this climate of open-mindedness and experimentation came Ho Hang, a men's fragrance that felt both exotic and modern, softly daring and elegantly restrained.
The name Ho Hang itself feels enigmatic at first glance—unfamiliar and alluring. Rooted in Cantonese, “Ho” (好) serves as an adverb meaning “very” or “truly,” while “Hang” (香) translates as “fragrant.” Together, Ho Hang—more accurately pronounced "Herng"—means something akin to “very fragrant” or “truly aromatic.” In a Western luxury context, the name might have been chosen not only for its direct meaning but also for its musical, international sound—suggesting an imagined voyage to the East, a meeting of refinement and sensuality. At a time when French couturiers were beginning to look outside the traditional canon of European inspiration, Balenciaga’s choice to use a Chinese phrase was both cosmopolitan and forward-looking.
The scent itself—a fresh, spicy, woody fougère—was crafted by master perfumers Raymond Chaillan and Jacques Jantzen. Opening with bracing lemon and aromatic herbs, it quickly deepens into a wooded, spiced heart, grounded by classic fougère elements like lavender, moss, and dry woods. It manages to be masculine and clean without falling into the sharp, soapy clichés of the time. While in line with other 1970s men's fragrances that emphasized freshness and greenery (like Azzaro Pour Homme or Paco Rabanne Pour Homme), Ho Hang distinguished itself with an understated exoticism and a surprisingly shared sensibility.
