Launched in 1928, Antilope by Parfums Weil emerged during a time of great artistic and cultural vibrancy. The perfume would later be trademarked in 1931, signaling the company’s commitment to establishing it as a central pillar of their fragrance line. The choice of the name “Antilope” was no coincidence—Weil had made its name not only as a perfume house, but initially as a respected furrier. The brothers frequently worked with antelope hide, a luxurious and supple material prized in fine garments and accessories. Naming a fragrance after this graceful animal was a seamless extension of the house’s identity, uniting their heritage in furs with their growing reputation in perfumery.
The word Antilope is the French word for “antelope”, pronounced ahn-tee-lope (roughly: "ahn-tee-lohp"). It conjures images of agility, refinement, and exotic landscapes. The antelope, a creature known for its elegance, speed, and delicate beauty, serves as a fitting symbol for a woman who is poised, elusive, and alluring. In perfume form, “Antilope” might suggest something lithe, free-spirited, and mysterious—a scent not overpowering, but enduring in its presence.
The late 1920s were part of the vibrant cultural era known as the Années Folles (the “Crazy Years”) in France or, more broadly, the Roaring Twenties. This was a period of artistic revolution, jazz music, cinematic innovation, and loosening societal norms, particularly for women. Fashion had shifted dramatically from the restrictive silhouettes of the previous generation toward more relaxed, fluid lines. Women wore drop-waist dresses, bobbed their hair, and embraced modernism. Perfumery reflected this cultural shift—fragrances became bolder, more abstract, with the increasing use of synthetic materials such as aldehydes, which allowed perfumers to evoke complex moods rather than just imitate flowers.
