Hermès’s first men’s fragrance, launched in 1970, was called Equipage.
Equipage was created by perfumer Guy Robert and became an important early step in Hermès’s development of a dedicated men’s fragrance identity. Its composition is generally described as woody and spicy, with a polished, traditional character rather than the fresh citrus style associated with some later releases.
The name reflects Hermès’s long association with horses, harnesses, and equestrian life. “Equipage” is a French word connected with a team, crew, or complete set of equipment, making it especially suitable for the house’s vocabulary.
Equipage is sometimes confused with Bel Ami, another notable Hermès men’s fragrance, but Bel Ami was launched later, in 1986. Eau d’Hermès, meanwhile, predates Equipage and was not the first specifically men’s fragrance in the same sense.