LUXURY fragrance house Parfums de Marly has opened a new boutique on one of Manhattan’s most famous avenues, offering a space that subtly nods to French history while embracing a modern sensibility.
Designed by Paris-based architect Hubert de Malherbe, the boutique combines contemporary design with understated references to 18th-century France, with a concept that draws inspiration from the Château de Marly, a private royal residence built for Louis XIV that was celebrated for its spirit of creativity.
Parfums de Marly New York store. Photograph: Francis Dzikowski
That spirit is channelled throughout the space, via a mix of classic details and modern touches; on entry, there’s a digital animation of the original château, while a sculpted bas-relief by artist Leonid Kim reinterprets its rich façade. Inside, there is Versailles-style parquet flooring, heritage-inspired mouldings by Auberlet&Laurent, a custom “cloud” carpet by Édition 1.6.9, and a palette of white and gold that sets a warm, elegant tone.
“The exceptional reveals itself in the finest details. This applies equally to a perfume and the design of a boutique. Every visual and olfactory element reflects singularity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the joy of rare moments,” says Julien Sprecher, founder and creative director of Parfums de Marly.
Parfums de Marly New York store. Photograph: Francis Dzikowski
The central feature of the space is a sculptural black marble console, inspired by furniture from the château’s most exclusive salons, and here it displays the full collection of fragrances, each in a colour that reflects its scent profile, from Delina’s powdery pink to Layton’s deep navy and Althaïr’s earthy brown.
In a further nod to its heritage, the space is dotted with ceramic perfume testers shaped like horses, that reference the original equestrian sculptures at Marly and echo the brand’s crest.
Parfums de Marly New York store. Photograph: Francis Dzikowski
For a contemporary and thoroughly immersive touch, visitors can also experience a 360-degree virtual reality tour of the original Château de Marly, complete with narration by French historian Stéphane Bern and British tenor Neal Cooper.
Plus, it includes an olfactorium, where guests can explore the ingredients and innovations behind the house’s signature scents, from natural essences like rose damascena and bourbon vanilla to the modern molecules that give the brand’s famous layered compositions.
by Felicity Carter
796 Madison Avenue at 67th Street, Manhattan, New York, 10065
See more on parfums-de-marly.com.