EXCLUSIVE: Kilian Paris perfumes have arrived in India
In 2016, a perfume became viral as a Rihanna favou – a vanilla vanilla scent in vanilla, like Love Don’t Bey Bey by Kilian Paris. For the founder and perfumer, Kilian Hennessy, each of his beers is rooted in a history or a personal memory. “Angel’s share, for example, was my olfactory memory of Cognac Cellars Hennessy. I have a story for each perfume.” The perfumes of Paris, all unisex, are designed around moods and moments rather than specific carriers.
Sitting in a sunny room, Hennessy is relaxed when he explains in a factual way that the perfume is as much a question of seduction as of protection. “When you go to an appointment, you want to be attractive. You wear clothes that look good, and likewise, you want a flattering scent. But it’s not only when you work in the morning. For him, the perfume is deeply personal. “When I apply the perfume before leaving the house, he feels that I create a bubble, a shield between my body, my intimacy and the outside world.” This duality – between attraction and self -service – defines Kilian’s approach for the manufacture of perfume.
Vogue spoke to the founder before its launch in India.
Vogue India: perfume bottles have an interesting design. To what extent are you involved in designing them?
Kilian Hennessy: I like beautiful objects, so I understand what I think I would like my property. For example, the bottle from Angel is supposed to look like a cognac glass – it is an olfactory family that we call liqueurs in the bottle. What was most important to me is that all the bottles that I create must have been rechargeable because I think the real luxury should not be disposable.
VI: You have talked a lot about the concept of “perfume wardrobe”. What does this mean for you?
KH: Imagine me lying on the sofa while reading a book on a Sunday afternoon by the fire in winter; I want a perfume that would be comfortable and warm. In summer, I probably want a very brilliant and fresh cologne. You know, I have perfumes that correspond to different times of the year.
VI: With the progress of technology like AI, how do you see the development of perfumes evolving?
