Yves Saint Laurent Opium (perfume)

Overview

Opium is an iconic oriental-spicy women’s perfume created for the French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent and first released in 1977. The fragrance was developed by perfumers working with YSL and quickly became one of the house’s most famous scents.

Brand origin and company

The Yves Saint Laurent brand originated in France (the fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé). Opium is part of the YSL fragrance line originally associated with the Yves Saint Laurent maison.

Manufacturing and distribution

Historically Opium bottles and formulations were produced in France; today production and bottling for YSL fragrances occur in multiple countries depending on the formulation, edition and distribution market. Manufacturing and regional distribution are handled through L'Oréal’s prestige fragrance network and its local subsidiaries and contract manufacturers.

Ownership and commercial control

While the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house is part of the luxury group that controls the couture business, the YSL fragrance and beauty business (Yves Saint Laurent Beauté) is owned and operated by L'Oréal. L'Oréal manages the development, manufacturing partnerships, marketing and global distribution of Opium and other YSL fragrances.

This summary reflects the product's origin as a French luxury fragrance, its multi-location manufacturing footprint for modern production, and its current commercial stewardship under L'Oréal's YSL Beauté division.