No longer to be found in specialist boutiques, some of the world’s most sought-after luxury scents can be found on the 6th floor of Harrods in their new Salon de Parfums, together with many perfume exclusives, consultations and bespoke services.
In an industry seemingly dominated by celebrity scents and mass-market brands, the renaissance of high-end niche perfumery can be attributed in no small part to master perfumer Roja Dove, whose Haute Parfumerie was set up over a decade ago on the 5th floor of Harrods, showcasing the best of the world’s most rare and luxurious scents, as well as reviving several forgotten classics from the likes of Dior and Nina Ricci (it’s a testament to Dove’s clout within the industry that they agreed to bring these back on the market for him).
Harrods have taken up the baton with their new Salon de Parfums on the 6th floor, where luxurious scents take centre stage. The space looks like one of Piccadilly’s famous arcades; a parade of brightly lit boutiques from eleven perfume houses – each with its own unique design. Famous names such as Guerlain, Dior, Chanel and Tom Ford share the space with cult brands such as Xerjoff, Ex Nihilo, Creed and Henry Jacques, the latter best known for creating bespoke scents from their small Grasse atelier since 1978 (this is their first UK outpost). Their boutique is designed to evoke a cabinet of curiosities with couture collection fragrances hidden behind wooden pillars among other collectibles in some of the most beautifully designed flacons known to man.
Also joining the party is Clive Christian, creators of the famous No 1 The World’s Most Expensive Perfume, a special version of which has been especially launched for the new Harrods boutique. No 1 Passant Guardant is decorated in 24-carat gold lattice and diamonds (yours for a cool £143,000). And the house of Kilian have their own line of scented jewellery to be discovered in their sleek monochrome lair, each elegant pendant a type of locket containing a porous ceramic disc, which can be sprayed and re-sprayed with one’s preferred scent. They also offer bespoke services, together with an intriguing collection based around spirits (Vodka on the Rocks is a particular highlight).
Then there is the Dior Salon – its walls decorated with white origami roses – which is home to The Christian Dior Collection Privée perfumes, as well as Les Élxir Précieux perfumed oils, which are meant to be combined with the La Collection Privé perfumes for something truly personalized, with consultants on hand to help clients ‘sniff out’ their ideal scent.
And the Guerlain boutique is (as one might expect) pure bliss, with its famous stunning “bee bottles” lining the walls as well as showcasing the “Bouquet du Prince” bottle created by Pierre-Francois Pascal in 1942. The house will also be offering a bespoke service – the first time it has offered such as service in the UK – housed in an engraved bee bottle. Other highlights include an exclusive floral fragrance for Harrods – Royal Extract, as well as perfumed teas (which were previously only sold in Paris at La Maison Guerlain), not to mention a “giant” 1.5 litre bottle of Shalimar with House of Gripoix jewellery.
Last but not least, there is a Fragrance Gallery containing UK and world exclusive scents such as those from Polish perfumer Thomas Kosmala and ERH1012’s deadofnight – whose Creative Director is Helena Christensen.
So now we no longer have to travel to Paris or the Middle East for some of the world’s most sublime and luxurious scents. For anyone passionate about perfume, it’s definitely worth having a “nose” around Harrods’ 6th floor.
by Viola Levy
The Salon de Parfums is located on the 6th Floor of Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL