Coty pays tribute to Pierre Bourdon, the perfumer who created Davidoff’s Cool Water, one of the most famous men’s perfume of its time, through an exclusive documentary entitled “Pierre Bourdon, Gentleman Perfumer”.
Launch of in 1988, Cool Water was a manifesto for the olfactive movement known as “New Freshness.” With its minimalist composition and bold ingredient overdoses, it broke conventions and became a cultural phenomenon — sparking waitlists at fragrance counters and record-breaking sales across Germany, the UK, and the US.
In this documentary, Bourdon reflects for the first time on the behind-the-scenes story of Cool Water’s creation. Through personal memories, olfactive insights, and previously unheard anecdotes, he shares how a gentleman perfumer met the spirit of a gentleman adventurer — Davidoff.
Directed by 180 Global’s Luxe unit in collaboration with Coty, the film explores the creator’s inner world through his cabinet of curiosities, his influences, and personal archives. It highlights the importance of heritage and transmission in perfumery, while asking what Cool Water means for the man of 2025.
The documentary is accompanied by original short-form videos for social media, in which Bourdon offers advice to a new generation of perfumers.
Arthur Poulain, 360° Communication Manager at Coty, shares the significance of this first-ever Davidoff documentary, “The story of Cool Water continues to captivate brand enthusiasts. This documentary revisits the foundations of an undisputed success, while projecting the fragrance into a renewed sense of modernity.”