FAQs
Frequently asked questionsThe House
What is the story of The Different Company?
Founded in 2000, the House is a pioneer of independent contemporary haute parfumerie. It creates fragrances without following market conventions.
Where are your fragrances made?
Our fragrances are designed, developed and packaged in France, following the methods of traditional French perfumery.
What is the House's philosophy?
Giving perfumers complete creative freedom and working with raw materials without cost constraints.
What is your approach to the environment?
From the very beginning, our 100 ml bottles were designed to be refillable: the same bottle can be used again and again.
Are your products tested on animals?
No. In accordance with European regulations, neither our finished products nor our raw materials are tested on animals.
Are you an independent brand?
Yes. The Different Company is a French house that does not belong to any major cosmetics group.
Where can I discover your fragrances in person?
In partner boutiques and department stores, in France and internationally. The list is available in the “Stockists” section of the website.
How can I contact customer service?
Through the online contact form or by email. We reply Monday to Friday, within 48 business hours.
Is your packaging recyclable?
Our cardboard boxes are recyclable. Our glass bottles are designed to be kept and refilled.
Do you have a press or B2B department?
Yes. A dedicated form for professional enquiries (press, influencers, distribution) is available in the website footer.
The Fragrances
How are your fragrances composed?
They combine a high proportion of natural ingredients with synthetic molecules that bring longevity and originality.
What are your different collections?
Our range includes several lines, among them L'Esprit Cologne, the Classic Collection and the Juste Chic Collection.
Is the 100 ml bottle refillable?
Yes. The screen-printed 100 ml bottle unscrews and can be refilled as many times as you like, using our aluminium or glass refills.
Do you offer discovery sets?
Yes. The Nomad Set brings together travel sizes of several fragrances, including Sublime Balkiss, Majaina Sin, Oud For Love and Santo Incienso.
What is the difference between an Eau de Toilette and an Eau de Parfum?
The concentration of perfume extract. An Eau de Parfum is more concentrated: its sillage is generally more intense and it lasts longer.
The colour of my fragrance has changed. Is this normal?
Yes. Our fragrances contain a high proportion of natural ingredients, which can slightly change the colour over time. The scent itself is not affected.
How should I store my fragrance?
Away from direct light, humidity and temperature changes.
Can I combine your fragrances (layering)?
Each fragrance is composed as a complete creation in its own right. You are free to combine them as you wish.
Do your fragrances contain artificial colourings?
No. The colour of each fragrance comes solely from the raw materials used.
How long does a fragrance keep once opened?
36 months after the first spray, provided the storage conditions above are respected.
The Perfumers
Who are The Different Company's perfumers?
Jean-Claude Ellena, Céline Ellena, Bertrand Duchaufour, Emilie Coppermann and Alexandra Monet.
Do the perfumers work to a commercial brief?
No. There are no cost constraints on raw materials, and artistic freedom is complete.
Who shaped the brand's olfactory and visual identity?
Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena and designer Thierry de Baschmakoff, who designed the House's bottle.
What mark has Jean-Claude Ellena left on the House?
He created the first fragrances, including Rose Poivrée and Osmanthus, and defined a pared-back olfactory signature.
What role has Céline Ellena played?
She succeeded her father and has signed several of the House's creations, such as Pure eVe, Sel de Vetiver and Sublime Balkiss.
Who composed the L'Esprit Cologne collection?
Mainly Emilie Coppermann, notably for Tokyo Bloom and South Bay.
Who created the oud fragrances?
Bertrand Duchaufour, who composed Oud For Love and Oud Shamash.
Are the House's perfumers exclusive in-house perfumers?
No. We work like a publishing house: independent perfumers express their vision as inspiration guides them, without strict exclusivity clauses.
Does designer Thierry de Baschmakoff still design the bottles?
The original bottle, in heavy stepped glass, has remained unchanged since it was first designed. It is still the House's visual signature.
Delivery
Which countries does your online store deliver to?
Mainland France, Europe and most countries worldwide, subject to local customs regulations.
Which carriers handle delivery?
Colissimo, DHL Express and UPS, depending on the destination and urgency.
What are the usual delivery times in France?
2 to 4 business days in mainland France.
What are the delivery times for international shipping?
Between 3 and 8 business days, depending on the carrier (DHL Express, for example) and customs clearance times.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping costs are calculated automatically in the cart, based on weight and destination. Shipping is free for orders over €100 internationally and over €50 in France, under the conditions in force at the time of ordering.
Is shipping fragrance internationally a problem (alcohol)?
No. Fragrance contains alcohol and is classed as dangerous goods for air transport. We complete the required declarations with our approved partners, including DHL.
How can I track my order?
As soon as your parcel is handed over to the carrier, you receive an automatic email with the tracking number and link.
Can I change my address after placing my order?
Only if the order has not yet been handed over to the carrier. Order processing starts as soon as the order is confirmed, so please contact us right away.
What should I do if my parcel arrives damaged?
Contact customer service within 48 business hours, with photos of the shipping box and the damaged products. We will then open a claim with the carrier.
What is your returns policy?
You have 14 days from receipt to return your order. The fragrance must not have been opened or sprayed, and the plastic wrapping must be intact.
Payment
Which payment methods are available?
You can pay with PayPal, credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Can I pay in instalments?
With Klarna, you can pay in 3 interest-free instalments. The amount of each instalment is shown on every product page.
Loyalty Program
How do I join the House's loyalty program?
Membership is free and automatic as soon as you create your customer account on the online store.
How do I earn points?
Every purchase on the official online store earns points, credited once the order has been shipped.
Can I earn points other than by purchasing?
Yes. Certain actions earn bonus points: subscribing to the newsletter, adding your birthday, following us on social media.
What can I do with my points?
They can be converted into discount vouchers to use on your next online orders.
How do I use my points at checkout?
Log in to your account: you can then use your points balance.
Do points expire?
Yes: after 12 months. The period restarts with each new order.
Can loyalty vouchers be combined with other promotions?
No, as a general rule: a loyalty program code cannot be combined with another active promotional code.
What happens to my points if I return an order?
In the event of a full or partial refund, the points earned with that order are deducted from your balance.
Is the program valid at authorised retailers?
No. The program is reserved for the official The Different Company online store.
Contact us
How can I contact you?
You can email us at info@thedc.fr or call us on +33 (0)9 81 72 83 40.