Frederic Malle has created the biggest revolution in perfumery since the introduction of synthetic ingredients. His idea behind his fragrance collection, Les Editions de Parfum Frédéric Malle, was to give perfumers free rein to create a fragrance that was personal to them. He showcased the collaborations through displaying the perfumers name on the bottle and in the shops, creating a large movement in the fragrance industry as many perfume houses hid the behind the scenes in the labs. He wanted the noses to be known for their creativity.

“I was determined to liberate perfumers from the kinds of restraints often imposed by marketers and focus groups. I work as an editor who works with writers.”

This statement suggests Malle’ idea was to change the way fragrance industries present perfume and to show off the pride take when creating the scent. The freedom drives the artist to construct a scent without conventional boundaries and to refine their chosen scent to precise detail. He sees this process as a work of art representing the best of each perfumer.

“I give these ‘fragrance authors’ complete freedom to explore and express their ideas.”

The best-loved fragrance within the collection is ‘Portrait of a Lady’, by Dominique Ropion. The velvety combination of oriental rose, frankincense and blackcurrant is like red lipstick, or black lace: bold, theatrical and un-apologetically feminine. With Malle having that personal connection with the fragrance author allows consumers to understand the concept and story behind the creation.

The fragrances are displayed in his boutiques, which each have their own personality whilst sharing certain essential characteristics. They combine the comfort of an elegant home with the clinical design of a fragrance laboratory. All introduce Frédéric Malle’s own signature smelling columns and refrigerated perfume cabinets.