Backstage · Paris
Asian perfumery arrives in force
with its own olfactory identity
Paris · Asia Perfume ShowSix countries, dozens of houses, each with its own story: a journey across Asian perfumery without taking a plane, at the Asia Perfume Show in Paris.
The journey
Six countries, one surprise
India, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia. Dozens of houses, each with its own story. A journey without taking a plane.
The encounter
“It was him.”
That morning, walking to the show, I heard someone singing in Mandarin behind me. I turned around and told him, in my shaky Chinese, that it was beautiful. Hours later, a brand was telling me its story on its stand. Its creator walked in and recognised me. It was him.
China · The encounter
Voice From the Sky
I heard his voice before I smelled his perfumes. Tianle Feng was born into a family of Chinese perfumers and trained in Versailles.
India · Kannauj
Amal Jain
Fourth generation of perfumers from Kannauj, India's perfume capital. Known for his attars, he also works with brands in the Emirates.
China · Xi'an, 2023
Outis
Its most surprising range draws on Chinese medicine: each perfume is named after a point of the body.
China · 2021
Ebers Papyrus
Named after an Egyptian medical papyrus. Its perfumers include Ilias Ermenidis, Daphné Bugey, Olivier Cresp and Coralie Spicher, creator of my favourite, Sappho Sandalwood.
Kams × Notes Shanghai · Pop-up
Smell them in Paris
26 Asian perfume houses at the Kams × Notes Shanghai pop-up, 6 avenue de l'Opéra, Paris 1er, from 26 September to 31 October 2026. Free entry.
Archive: this pop-up closed on 31 October 2026.
Keep your nose curious ✦