a nose to the horizon
« Dos gardenias para ti » - Buenavista Social Club
Dear Readers,
In this month of April, as the scents of spring begin to awaken our senses, our sensory journey takes us on a celebration of the rich history and sophisticated culture of perfumery. Inspired by a visit to the “Parfums d’Orient” exhibition at the IMA, this new newsletter delves into this ancestral art that originated in the fertile region of the Orient, from the Mediterranean basin to the far reaches of Asia.
To speak of perfumes is to embark on an olfactory voyage, a sensory journey where the scents of rose, orange, jasmine, amber, sandalwood, cedar and more have cradled civilizations since the dawn of history. From the opulence of Istanbul’s markets to the mystery of Marrakech’s gardens, fragrances recall the rich textures, opulence, sensuality and aura of mystery that have long defined this tradition.
Today, perfumery is reinventing itself, injecting classic aromas with bold twists that captivate Generation Z. These new perfumers don’t just create fragrances; they weave an enriched dialogue where juice, bottle and story merge into a unique olfactory narrative. At Appuntamento, we’re delighted to share with you these developments, which are breathing new magic into our daily olfactory lives.
While traditional oriental fragrances continue to account for a significant share of global sales, underlining a deep attachment to olfactory heritage, Generation Z is adding a new dimension to this appreciation. They embrace this heritage while actively seeking to understand and personalize their fragrance experience, exploring the depths of each scent on platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #perfumetok is accumulating billions of views and revolutionizing the perception of fragrances.
Young consumers are redefining what fragrance is: much more than a scent, it’s becoming a symbol of their identity, changing with their moods and reflecting a wide range of emotional and sensory experiences. This new dynamism manifests itself in the way they interact with the world of fragrance, demonstrating that the choice of a fragrance can be as evocative and complex as the expression of a character trait.
In this exploration, we will discover three captivating brands/places: DIPTYQUE, KILIAN and NOSE, each bringing its own touch to the world of fragrance. And to accompany our journey of the senses, we’re lulled by the nostalgic notes of “Dos gardenias para ti”, a classic sung by Buenavista Social Club, which resonates with the depth and sensuality of the fragrances we’re about to explore.
Great read,
With Love,
Daniela 💗
ode to curiosity and the art of living
Born in the cultural effervescence of Paris in the 60s, Diptyque is more than just a brand; it has become a legend, perfuming memories and spaces. 34 boulevard Saint-Germain, more than an address, is a time capsule where history and modernity mingle in a ballet of fragrances and unique objects.
Here, in this once eclectic bazaar, the three visionary founders, Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet and Yves Coueslant, friends with artistic souls, have given birth to a universe where each object is an open door to a world of emotions and everyday beauty. Bistro sugar bowls and Lorraine glasses converse with Indian perfume burners, testifying to a tireless quest for beauty and functionality.
Over the years, 34 has become the beating heart of Diptyque, where the smell of jazzy coffee on the first floor mingles with that of scented candles and eaux de toilette. This is where EAU, the house’s first fragrance, came to life, inspired by the lush gardens and childhood memories of its creators, imbued with plants, flowers and fruit trees.
Unique, Why?
Diptyque stands out not only for its olfactory creations, but also for its multi-sensory approach to design. It’s a place where you don’t come simply to buy, but to be transported into an immersive experience that awakens all the senses. Their creative process doesn’t just capture aromas; it captures moments, creates atmospheres, combining olfaction, vision and touch in an art that is lived.
What I like!
Diptyque’s appeal isn’t limited to its bewitching range of fragrances; it also lies in the resurgence of a forgotten tradition, that of solid perfumes. Their concrète (solid perfume) is much more than a fragrance, it’s a journey back in time, a tribute to the perfumery methods of ancient Egypt. In those days, perfumed waxes were the vehicle for the noblest scents, a custom that faded with the advent of alcohol-based perfumes over the centuries.
What I admire about Diptyque is their ability to weave links between past and present, to revive the historical use of perfumed waxes that offer a rich, tactile olfactory experience. Their concretes are modern treasures, encapsulating essences in an easy-to-carry case for subtle application that leaves the skin scented and moisturized, without the dryness of alcohol.
Diptyque concretes reveal the charm of having your favorite fragrance close at hand, ready to be applied at any moment, allowing an intimacy with the scent not found with traditional sprays. It’s this reminiscence of a time when perfume was also an object of beauty and personal care, a discreet but deeply personal luxury, particularly cherished. And in this almost ritualistic act of touching, smelling and delicately applying perfume, there is a moment of personal connection that transcends the everyday. This gesture of perfumery becomes a moment of care, a moment of pause in the hustle and bustle of modern life, where we take the time to immerse ourselves in a fragrance that is not just a scent, but a presence that accompanies, comforts and evokes. With its concrete fragrances, Diptyque reinstates perfumery as an art of detail, a luxury that doesn’t shout its presence, but subtly infuses it, leaving behind an imprint that is both intimate and lasting.
redefining luxury with a conscience
The son of an illustrious line known for luxury cognac, Kilian Hennessy has found his own path in perfume, redefining luxury through fragrance. His immersion in the olfactory world began at the Cinquième Sens school and continued with perfumer Jacques Cavallier, enriching his understanding of raw materials and awakening a dormant family heritage. After a decade dedicated to honing his nose and mastering notes and accords, Kilian launched his own brand in 2007, reviving the art of creation deeply rooted in his family heritage. Far from the image of the businessmen of his recent lineage, he reconnects with the spirit of Hennessy’s founders, weaving the richness of aromas with a renewed passion for authenticity and innovation.
When you enter a Kilian boutique, you pass through a space where history and perfumery merge. The personalized guidance and expertise of our consultants create an immersive experience, transforming each visit into an intimate and personal discovery. Kilian offers not just a fragrance, but an olfactory narrative that honors each individual.
Unique, Why?
What makes Kilian unique is its approach to combining fragrance and sustainability. The brand offers fragrance refills and reuses elegant bottles to reduce waste. The fragrances themselves are made with sustainable ingredients, underlining the brand’s commitment to the environment without compromising luxury.
What I love!
What I find fascinating about Kilian is this insatiable quest for perfection and desire to return to the fundamentals of creation. Each fragrance tells a story, that of a meticulous search for harmony between ingredients, a subtle balance between tradition and the avant-garde. Kilian Hennessy embodies this new generation of designers who, while honoring their heritage, do not hesitate to shake up codes and redefine the contours of their art. It is in this symbiosis of respect for the past and modern vision that I find my deepest olfactory pleasure, a unique connection with the brand that transforms each bottle into an intimate, personal experience.
Kilian’s quest for perfection is echoed by global icons such as Rihanna, known for her meticulous perfume selection, who never shies away from the olfactory audacity that only Kilian can embody. It is this recognition by renowned personalities that validates the exceptional blend of innovation and integrity that Kilian brings to the world of perfumery.
nose qui peut
NOSE, located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, is more than a perfume boutique. It’s a destination for fragrance enthusiasts looking for a personalized experience. Founded by seven entrepreneurs who share a common passion for perfume, NOSE stands out for its innovative approach, offering a personalized olfactory diagnosis thanks to cutting-edge technology that identifies each visitor’s fragrance preferences.
The boutique on rue Bachaumont is a sleek, welcoming space, designed to take visitors on a sensory journey through a meticulous selection of niche fragrances and cosmetics. The atmosphere is that of a modern laboratory, where the science of scent blends with the art of perfumery.
NOSE is revolutionizing the way perfumes are discovered and purchased. Instead of relying solely on market trends, they focus on the alchemy between fragrances and people, creating matches that go beyond the usual expectations.
What sets NOSE apart is their personalized approach to perfumery. They have developed a unique diagnostic tool that combines technology with human expertise, offering customers a fragrance recommendation based on their preferences and olfactory history. It’s this fusion of craftsmanship and innovation that makes every visit to NOSE unique.
Unique, Why?
As soon as you cross the threshold of NOSE, you’re invited on a journey through time and emotions. Gérald Ghislain, with his taste for epicureanism and insatiable curiosity, offers his customers immersion in a universe where each fragrance is an open door to varied and exquisite worlds. Inspired by his travels and encounters, he offers olfactory creations that are both sensory masterpieces and personal imprint.
NOSE distinguishes itself not only by its selective assortment but also by its ability to weave captivating narratives through its creations. Each NOSE fragrance is a piece of history, selected and presented to resonate with customers’ stories and personalities. This narrative dimension is what makes every NOSE experience deeply personal and unique.
What I love!
It’s their commitment to creating unique experiences that respect and value everyone’s individuality. Their approach combines expertise and innovation to offer everyone their own “nose”, making every visit a moment of discovery and intimacy with one’s own sense of smell.
As we close the scented pages of this edition, I like to think that the singular period we’ve been through has, in a way, reinvented our relationship with the intimacy of fragrance. The Covid-19, by isolating us, has revived interest in more personal fragrances, those which, like the mythical eau de Cologne, discreetly perfumed everyday family life, present in every bathroom and ready to refresh the atmosphere in an instant.
We explored concrete, the solid perfume inherited from Antiquity, devoid of alcohol and rich in a voluptuousness that moisturizes while perfuming. It’s a return to our roots, an echo of ancestral practices that made the impalpable palpable, where wax served as a vector for memorable fragrances. Today, this long-dormant tradition finds a new echo in our quest for naturalness, harmlessness and intimacy.
Aren’t today’s fragrances a reflection of this desire for deeper authenticity? Today’s customers are looking for natural essences, creations that respect the environment and their health, but also fragrances that tell stories, convey emotions, and are the olfactory extension of their lives, changing to the rhythm of their moods.
And new perfumery venues, like NOSE and the others we’ve discovered, perpetuate this intimate dialogue. They are the stage where every visit becomes an exploration, a journey where each person’s personal story meets the narrative of fragrance. These spaces are not simply boutiques; they are the guardians of an alchemy that combines history, culture and olfactory art in an immersive experience.
In this olfactory quest, the only constant seems to be the evocative power of fragrance – that almost magical ability to bring back to our consciousness the sweetest, most intimate memories, and reconnect us to who we are in our purest essence.
We conclude our journey of the senses by inviting you to continue the dialogue with these fragrances that tell stories, console, celebrate – and to do so by leaving behind a trace of “Dos gardenias para ti”, which, like this nostalgic melody, envelops us in an aura of memories and emotions.