Designer and fragrance maker Guy Laroche was born in 1921 in La Rochelle, France. In 1949, Laroche went to work for Jean Desses and eventually became his assistant. In 1955, he came to the U.S. to learn about ready-to-wear manufacturing methods and, a year later, opened his own fashion house back in France. He designed haute-couture but practical clothing for women. And, for the American market, he was among the first designers to create separates. In 1966, he introduced Fidji perfume, his first women’s fragrance. J'ai Ose perfume for women followed in 1977. Launched in 1982, Drakkar Noir cologne for men is a long lasting pro en fragrance that has become a tried and true classic over the years. Additionally, Laroche rolled out Clandestine and Horizon colognes in 1982 and 1993, respectively.