Michael Bodenham
A seventh-generation Floris perfumer whose patient work in the family cellar shaped No. 89 and Elite.
About Michael Bodenham
Michael Bodenham was a seventh-generation member of the Floris family and a perfumer working within its London house. His work in the cellar beneath the Jermyn Street shop produced enduring fragrances, including No. 89 and Elite. Flowers, aromatic freshness and wood connect those different expressions of the family’s craft.
Career
During the 1950s, Floris products were still made by hand at 89 Jermyn Street. An archival photograph shows Bodenham handling materials among the bottles and containers of that working environment. The family business continued through his son John, with manufacturing and supplier relationships also helping to carry its work into later generations.
Creative Style & Philosophy
The brick-lined cellar was affectionately known within the family as “the mine.” John recalled his father obtaining unfamiliar essential oils and experimenting repeatedly while developing Elite. Even after its first version had pleased those around him, Michael continued seeking improvements; the recollection conveys patient attention to materials and a demanding sense of balance.
Signature Works
- *No. 89*: Introduced in 1951 and named for the address of the shop, No. 89 connects aromatic lavender, flowers and wood in a more composed expression.
- *Elite*: Created in 1979, Elite moves from citrus, lavender and fir balsam towards the depth of wood and moss.
