Kevin Costner Launches Fragrance Collection with Niche Perfume House 19-69
The actor debuts three personal scents inspired by his life and career history.
1Unexpected Sensory Inspiration
Kevin Costner’s journey into perfumery began with a random body wash encountered in a German hotel room. Years later, he rediscovered the same scent in a Scottish castle while filming his Western epic, Horizon. This sensory connection prompted him to track down the manufacturer, leading to a partnership with Milan-based niche house 19-69.
2The 19-69 Partnership
Costner contacted 19-69 co-founder Johan Bergelin in 2024 to discuss a collaboration. The two met in Cologne, Germany, and spent two years developing a collection of three extrait de parfum fragrances. Produced in France, the scents reflect specific chapters of Costner’s life, ranging from his Hollywood career to his private ranch in Colorado.
3Pricing and Collection Details
The collection features three distinct fragrances: After Hours, Heritage, and Pacific Coast Highway. These products are available in various sizes, with prices ranging from $80 for a 7.5 milliliter bottle to $800 for the 95 milliliter version. The branding prominently features Costner’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to signify his personal involvement.
4After Hours Signature Scent
After Hours serves as the collection's signature fragrance, featuring notes of cypress, bourbon, and nutmeg. It is described as a more intense version of 19-69’s existing Rainbow Bar scent. Costner associates the fragrance with a 1989 Vanity Fair photoshoot, capturing the essence of a sunset in the Hollywood Hills and a classic tuxedo aesthetic.
5Pacific Coast Highway Inspiration
Pacific Coast Highway offers a lighter profile with notes of clementine, juniper berry, and jasmine. Costner links this scent to the 1968 hit song Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James and the Shandells. The fragrance aims to evoke the clean, refreshing feeling of a California beach day followed by a long, hot shower.
6Heritage and Personal History
Heritage is a richer, masculine scent inspired by Costner’s ranch in Aspen, Colorado. It contains notes of cherry, violet leaves, amber, and vanilla, creating a woody, forest-like atmosphere. Costner views the scent as a tribute to his father, connecting the fragrance to family heirlooms like his father’s gun and shared outdoor experiences.
7Bergelin’s Perfume Philosophy
Johan Bergelin, a self-taught perfumer, founded 19-69 in 2017 alongside his wife, Catharina. The brand is known for creating scents tied to specific cultural eras and locations, such as Miami Blue and American Psycho. Their approach focuses on bottling counterculture, using unique olfactory notes to tell stories about history and societal shifts.
8Costner’s Early Life Context
Born in 1955, Costner grew up in a conservative Southern California household during the height of the hippie movement. While his parents opposed the era's counterculture, Costner observed the social changes from a distance. This background informs his perspective on the 19-69 brand, which is deeply rooted in the cultural upheaval of 1969.
9Public Reception and Impact
Costner has already tested the scents in public, noting a positive reaction from strangers. During a son’s volleyball tournament, a woman approached him specifically to ask about his fragrance. He emphasizes that he prefers scents that become noticeable on their own merit rather than being overly obvious or aggressive in their projection.
10Cinema and Olfactory Memory
The actor acknowledges that his film career has long been associated with sensory experiences, from the smell of popcorn in theaters to the visceral nature of his roles. A 2016 study suggested that cinema audiences emit chemical compounds based on film genres, implying that Costner’s work has indirectly influenced the olfactory environment for millions.
11Future of the Collaboration
This fragrance venture marks a departure from Costner’s typical film projects, highlighting his interest in personal expression through scent. By blending his own life history with 19-69’s established expertise, Costner has created a niche product line. The collection is now available, serving as a tangible extension of his public and private persona.
Original article: GQ — Kevin Costner Launches Fragrance Collection with Niche Perfume House 19-69