Chef-tuned perfumer Gérald Ghislain has a group of complex scents and treats each smell like a conceptual book. 8 of the 12 volumes from Histoires de Parfums (120 mL, $170) are inspired by individuals from history: men's cologne by Jules Verne, Marquis de Sade and Jules Verne; women's perfum by Eugenie de Montijo, Colette, and George Sand. Even the bottle shape, designed by Magali Sénéquier, mimics a bound book's shape and proportion.

So how is a scent like a book?


Each scent develops a character description into personality traits using the narrative of smell. This is done by translating the complex persona through the notes de tête, coeur, et fond (top, central, bottom). For example, the George Sand inspired 1804 takes a floral inspiration and begins as such, then opens into spices like jasmine and, finally, sweetness like vanilla and patchouli. The scent aspires to reflect the nuanced modernity of its character inspiration. But also the depths beyond initial top notes don't come through right away. That's when elements of movement or development come into play.

And, as a whole, the collection employs a large palette to develop each story. Beyond the central characters, there's also soliloquies Noir Patchouli, Blanc Violette and Vert Pivoine in addition to cult books 1969 and Ambre 114, which represents 114 elements to intensify and diversify the unisex, amber aroma.

Histoires de Parfums can be found in NYC at Takashimaya or via the company's website (testers are available, although currently sold out on the site).