The story

Michael Knudsen was the creator of Gravel Cologne, which he produced and bottled from 1957 onwards. At a time when perfumes were still predominantly reserved for women and Eaux de Cologne were only slowly reaching the male world, which tended to steer clear of anything resembling perfume, Knudsen created his Gravel Cologne. Balsamic notes combined with spices, a pinch of incense and a few resins — and, last but not least, the ingredient that gave it its name and makes each fragrance unique: gravel. The stones not only provided the down-to-earth name, which was more tangible and therefore more appealing to the male world of the 1950s, but also gave the fragrance its colour: the alcohol in the fragrance dissolves minerals from the stones, which not only give the fragrance its amber colour. They are also said to be the special ingredient that gives Gravel its distinctive, slightly metallic note.

The new beginning

After Knudsen's death, the fragrance disappeared from the market for several years. Gravel thus became a rare and sought-after vintage fragrance that was only available in private remnants. Georg and Christian Blessing, both lovers of the fragrance, were also in the situation of only being able to purchase Gravel at inflated prices on the secondary market. Father and son were captivated by the complex and timeless fragrance and the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the brand with its eventful history. The desire to be able to use the perfume again gave rise to the idea of restoring this living piece of perfume history to its former glory. The search for the heirs to the brand rights and the subsequent persuasion to sell a piece of American history took years. At all times, the desire to return the perfume to a family environment that reflected Knudsen's ideals and the values of the Gravel brand was paramount. Finally, after years of absence, Georg and Christian Blessing have succeeded in bringing the perfume back to the market and continuing the business in the spirit of Knudsen.