Claude Fabri Parfums

In 2004, Claude Fabri Parfums was established, a company that quickly gained attention for its controversial approach to the fragrance market. This firm specialized in producing knockoff versions of well-known men's and women's fragrances, essentially creating imitations of popular designer scents. Instead of marketing these fragrances by name, the Claude Scents were labeled only with a number, which corresponded to a specific, recognizable fragrance. This numbering system allowed customers to easily identify which original fragrance the knockoff was meant to replicate, offering them a more affordable alternative to high-end designer perfumes.

The decision to use numbers rather than brand names was a strategic move, as it helped Claude Fabri Parfums sidestep potential legal issues surrounding trademark infringement. By avoiding the use of the original fragrance names, the company could produce and sell their products without directly violating intellectual property rights, even though the intent was clear: to emulate the beloved scents of established luxury brands. These numbered fragrances were often sold at a fraction of the cost of their designer counterparts, making them appealing to customers who sought the same familiar scents but were unwilling or unable to pay for the luxury price tag.

Despite the lack of brand recognition associated with the fragrances, Claude Scents became popular among budget-conscious consumers, who were able to indulge in the fragrances of their favorite designer labels at a significantly lower price. However, the brand's reliance on imitating others without offering anything uniquely its own left it in a gray area of the perfume industry, raising questions about authenticity and originality. While it may have been a hit for those looking for cost-effective alternatives, the company’s focus on knockoffs meant that it never gained the kind of prestige or following that true luxury fragrance houses enjoy.

Pierre Vivion

 Pierre Vivion, a French perfume chemist, worked for Lanvin in 1953. He was involved with a prior copycat fragrance co called Sherrell at some point, which went out of business in 1976 after getting involved in some sort of lawsuit. 

Youthful Secrets Formerly Fantasy Perfumes Designer Imposter Perfumes

Youthful Secrets (formerly Fantasy Perfumes) distributed their versions of popular perfumes, otherwise known as "designer imposter perfumes". The "Youthful Secrets" brand was sold by the Seta Corporation and was available to airline passengers at deeply discounted prices. One ounce bottles of these oil based knockoff perfumes sold for just $19.99 as opposed to much higher prices for their genuine designer counterparts. The Youthful Secrets line was trademarked in 1989.

These perfumes were only identified by a number so if you need to know which fragrance your numbered bottle was supposed to mimic, use my handy guide below.

Deborah International

In the 1980's, Omni was launched as a bargain designer impression fragrance by Deborah Richman and distributed under the brand Deborah International.

L'Arome Fragrances

L'Arome was a British perfume company that launched in 1981, aiming to capture the essence of world-famous fragrances by creating its own versions. The company, based in Deesside, quickly established itself with a business model that relied on multi-level or network marketing, a strategy often associated with pyramid schemes. L'Arome’s products were sold under the brand name Echoes, which cleverly suggested that these perfumes were reminiscent of beloved and iconic fragrances from well-known manufacturers, but without directly copying them. This allowed the company to appeal to consumers looking for alternatives to high-end perfumes at more affordable prices.

By 1989, Jim Moore was one of the four partners running L'Arome, helping to expand its reach through the multi-level marketing strategy. L'Arome’s most notable tactic was encouraging its 180,000 distributors to ask potential customers what their favorite perfumes were. From there, the distributors would offer them the Echoes version of those fragrances. This model allowed the company to build a vast network of sellers, furthering the reach of their products.