de Beauvoir: The Woman Who Defined Feminist Philosophy

Simone de Beauvoir didn’t set out to be a feminist icon, but her work remains one of the most powerful intellectual forces in modern feminism. Philosopher, novelist, cultural critic—her influence extends beyond philosophy classrooms and into the daily conversations about gender, freedom, and identity that define our times. Her landmark book, The Second Sex, challenged deeply entrenched societal norms and reshaped how we think about womanhood. But de Beauvoir wasn’t just an intellectual—she lived her philosophy, embracing radical independence and challenging the very idea of traditional relationships alongside Jean-Paul Sartre.

A Parisian Childhood and a Rebel’s Intellect

Born in 1908 in Paris, de Beauvoir was raised in a bourgeois family that valued tradition. But from an early age, she showed an intellectual curiosity and independence that set her apart. She excelled in academics, eventually studying at the Sorbonne, where she became the youngest person ever to pass the rigorous agrégation exam in philosophy. It was here that she met Jean-Paul Sartre, beginning a lifelong personal and intellectual partnership that would influence both of their work.

While Sartre remains the better-known existentialist, de Beauvoir’s contributions to the movement were uniquely her own. She explored existentialist themes of freedom and responsibility, but she brought a gendered lens to these questions, investigating how social structures shape personal identity and limit women’s ability to define themselves.

The Groundbreaking Ideas ofThe Second Sex

Published in 1949,The Second Sex remains one of the most significant feminist texts ever written. De Beauvoir famously wrote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” With this statement, she introduced the idea that gender is a social construct—an argument that laid the foundation for decades of feminist thought.

The book is a meticulous deconstruction of how women have been historically positioned as the “other” in relation to men. She examines everything from biology to mythology, religion to history, dissecting the ways in which women have been denied autonomy. The work was controversial at the time—banned by the Vatican and dismissed by male critics—but it became a cornerstone of second-wave feminism, inspiring movements for gender equality across the world.

A Novelist Who Wrote Like a Philosopher

ThoughThe Second Sex is her most famous work, de Beauvoir was also a novelist, and her fiction often explored the same themes as her philosophy.She Came to Stay (1943) is one of her most intriguing works, blending personal experience with existential philosophy.

Loosely inspired by her relationship with Sartre and their involvement with a young woman, Olga Kosakiewicz, the novel tells the story of Françoise and Pierre, a couple who invite a young woman named Xavière into their lives. What begins as an intellectual experiment quickly devolves into an emotional and existential crisis. Françoise’s fascination with Xavière turns into jealousy, and eventually, an act of betrayal. The novel is not just a love triangle—it’s an existential meditation on freedom, possession, and what happens when one person tries to control another.

She Came to Stay captures de Beauvoir’s evolving ideas about relationships and autonomy. It also serves as a reminder that existentialist ideas—so often thought of as abstract and cerebral—can be deeply personal and painfully real.

A Life of Political Engagement

De Beauvoir was not just an intellectual; she was an activist. She supported the Algerian War of Independence, stood in solidarity with the 1968 student protests in France, and was a fierce advocate for reproductive rights. In the 1970s, she co-signed the “Manifesto of the 343,” a public declaration by women who had undergone illegal abortions, pushing for the legalization of abortion in France. Her later bookThe Coming of Age tackled ageism and the societal neglect of the elderly.

Her activism reflected the core of her philosophy: freedom is not an abstract ideal—it must be lived and defended.

Why Simone de Beauvoir Still Matters

More than seventy years afterThe Second Sex was published, de Beauvoir’s ideas are more relevant than ever. We still debate gender roles, autonomy, and what it means to be free. Her work laid the groundwork for discussions about intersectionality, body autonomy, and feminist philosophy, influencing everything from academic theory to pop culture.

For our brand, de Beauvoir represents more than just history—she is a living inspiration. The novelShe Came to Stay serves as the muse for one of our fragrances, capturing the tension and complexity of her ideas. Just as de Beauvoir challenged conventions and embraced contradiction, the fragrance is designed to evolve and shift, mirroring the unpredictability of human relationships.

A Lasting Legacy

Simone de Beauvoir’s legacy is not just intellectual—it is deeply personal. She showed us that philosophy is not confined to books or lecture halls but is woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Her ideas encourage us to question, to resist, and to embrace the full complexity of our own existence.

To wear the fragrance inspired byShe Came to Stay is to carry a piece of that legacy—a reminder to live with authenticity, passion, and the courage to define oneself. As we continue to celebrate her influence, her work challenges us to remain engaged, to question the world around us, and to never accept limits placed upon our identities.