A Study on the Formation of Eau de Cologne Brand Heritage: Focusing on Farina and No. 4711

This study aimed to examine how brand heritage is formed and sustained through a qualitative case study of Farina and No. 4711, two Eau de Cologne brands originating in Cologne, Germany. Data from field observations, photographs, archival records, and official brand materials were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, focusing on four dimensions: historicity, place identity, manufacturing tradition and craftsmanship, and sensory brand identity. The findings indicate that brand heritage is not merely a historical asset but a strategic process of transforming historical resources into contemporary brand value through storytelling, spatial experiences, and sensory identity. Place and consumer experience also play important roles in sustaining and strengthening brand heritage. These findings suggest that the Korean fragrance and beauty industries should develop long-term heritage strategies based on authentic brand philosophy, storytelling, symbolic systems, and experiential spaces. This study contributes to brand heritage research by extending its application to the fragrance industry through a comparative analysis of two Eau de Cologne brands.