EXCLUSIVE: Kilian Paris perfumes have arrived in India

Back in 2016, a fragrance went viral as Rihanna’s favourite—an almost dessert-like warm vanilla-marshmallow scent called Love Don’t Be Shy by Kilian Paris. For founder and perfumer, Kilian Hennessy, every one of his brews is rooted in a personal story or memory. “Angel’s Share, for example, was my olfactory memory of the Hennessy Cognac Cellars. I have a story for every scent.” Paris’ fragrances, all unisex, are designed around moods and moments rather than specific wearers.

Seated in a sunlit room, Hennessy is relaxed when he explains in a matter-of-fact way that perfume is as much about seduction as it is about protection. “When you go on a date, you want to make yourself attractive. You wear clothes that look good, and similarly, you want a scent that flatters. But it’s not that when you go to work in the morning.” For him, fragrance is deeply personal. “When I apply perfume before leaving the house, it feels that I am creating a bubble, a shield between my body, my intimacy and the outside world.” This duality—between attraction and self-preservation—defines Kilian’s approach to perfume-making.

Vogue spoke to the founder ahead of his launch in India.

Vogue India: The perfume bottles have an interesting design. How involved are you in designing them?

Kilian Hennessy: I like beautiful objects, so I design what I think I would love to own myself. For example, the bottle of Angel’s Share is meant to look like a cognac glass—that’s an olfactory family we call the liquors in the bottle. What was most important to me is that all the bottles I create had to be refillable because I believe that true luxury should not be disposable.

VI: You’ve talked a lot about the concept of a “wardrobe of scents.” What does this mean to you?

KH: Imagine me lying on the couch reading a book on a Sunday afternoon by the fire in winter; I want a scent that would be cosy and warm. In summer, I probably want a cologne that’s very sparkly and fresh. You know, I have scents that correspond to different moments in the year.

VI: With advancements in technology like AI, how do you see the crafting of scents evolving?