EX NIHILO PARFUMS
PRESS KIT
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
EX NIHILO
“Latin expression, applied to a new creation with no previously known reference”
THE BRAND
Real luxury should be unique, total, exclusive, exceptional, elegant and of unreserved quality. It expresses itself through a new idea which fulfils the desire of the client. Ex Nihilo is an alternative Parisian perfume house. An alternative to stereotyped luxury products, which are no longer such, an alternative to the mass personalisation, which is a contradiction in itself. Taking inspiration from the creative avant-garde and the French spirit of pure refinement, Ex Nihilo aims to give true luxury, in bringing to the fore the pinnacle of savoir-faire and the most splendid raw materials in perfumery. Ex Nihilo created an exclusive ritual based on an innovative technology, in order to offer, in its’ unique environment on rue Saint-Honoré, a subtle personalisation of all the perfumes in its’ collection. This ritual allows the person concerned to receive a fragrance, which will be the expression of his profound nature, or of his momentary whim. Perfume thus rediscovers its’ primary significance: being the faithful spokesperson of the individual who chose it. Curious and open by nature, Ex Nihilo is a brand which draws its’ inspiration from emerging talents in perfumery, but also in architecture, design or artisanal glass-making. In opening new collaborative paths between perfume creators, the latest technology and the artistic community, Ex Nihilo wants to respond to the demands and desires of a generation searching for brand new and inspiring sensations.
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“We want to reinterpret the iconic raw materials of perfumery, such as rose of may, jasmine or agarwood without pre-conceptions. But the true cornerstone of our project is the search for the highest standard of quality and the use of the best know-how through an innovative prism.”
THE FOUNDERS
S Y L V I E O L I V I E R & B E N O Î T
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
“There is nothing contradictory to marry secular savoir-faire with innovation to create a contemporary and wholly new result.”
SYLVIE
Sylvie Loday was born in Princeton in the United States, to French parents. She grew up between two shores, the dynamic east coast of the U.S.A. and the calm of Brittany, where she spent her holidays. Two sensory universes, which marked her from childhood. Here also lies the source of her appetite for travel, discovery and encountering others, which nourished her, instructed her and helped her in discovering herself. Her olfactory memories are a true melting pot, reflecting her composite culture: Brittany’s ocean and salty tides, America’s big cities, pancakes and maple syrup… She developed an inveterate addiction to cinnamon in childhood. An engineer by trade, her thesis research in conjunction with NASA almost transported her to the moon, in allowing her to experience weightless flights. Several years in a prestigious consulting firm allowed her to meet Givaudan, and she fell immediately for the intoxicating universe of perfumes and for the passionate and fascinating people she would meet. Then came the simple desire to create the perfumes and products that she had dreamed of but had not found, despite the multitude of existing brands. A risk for certain people, an obvious choice for her!
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“Ex Nihilo is a brand of convictions: it challenges as much as it unites the modern and the ancient, tradition and avantgarde. We want to make an impression.”
OLIVIER
Olivier Royère was born in Stockholm, to a Swedish mother and a French father. This double heritage, equally embraced, was enriched by his nomadic life in the footsteps of a diplomat father: Stockholm, Manila, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Quebec, Paris… a kaleidoscope of images, sounds, transmitted sensations and parallel odours. His first significant olfactory memories: a reception in the heat of the tropical gardens of the French embassy in the Philippines. His childhood cradled in his mother’s perfume, Joy by Jean Patou, and in his grandfather’s delicate eau de Cologne, Arnys. Eight years working in a bank, then the opportunity to achieve two dreams: the desire to run a business and that of creating his own brand. A choice as much of heart as of reason. Enthusiastic in his hobbies and a collector, he admits to a passion for exceptional shoes, contemporary photography and 1970s sports cars. Difficult to escape his heritage.
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“We intend to create synergies and collaborations with talents across different fields. Our references come as much from perfumery as from design or architecture.”
BENOÎT
Benoît Verdier was born in perfume country, Provence. He spent his childhood and teenage years between the mountains and the sea in the changing fragrances of the Mediterranean coast. His olfactive memories are precise: he presents them like musical notes, which add themselves each to the other, without ever totally mixing. The fine sweetness of fig trees, the resin of the coastal pines in his parents’ park, the invigorating smells of the winter months, the strong odour of scrub and burnt oak carried on the wind of Maures’ wild land. With his great fondness for know-how, he particularly appreciates exchanges with the talented personalities involved in the composition and creation of perfumes: the culture, the demanding nature, the spirit, the freedom, the doubt, so many human values exercised in this world. Fanatical cyclist, you will run into him most often cycling in the streets of the French capital. Connoisseur of vintage sneakers, avid eBay explorer and designers furniture enthusiast, he also harbours and indulges a passion for old motorbikes.
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THE EMOTION LIES IN THE DETAIL
O B J E C T S O F D E S I R E
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
O B J E C T S O F D E S I R E
THE EMOTION LIES IN THE DETAIL
Ex Nihilo cultivates the art of detail and sophistication to the point of obsession. Their ambition: to create superb objects of desire, which elicit emotion when we see them, when we use them. Fascinating, creative, elegant objects, to be guarded preciously as they are enhanced by time and never become dated. Through each of their products, Ex Nihilo revisits traditional codes through a resolutely innovative prism. The pure forms of the glass thus take us back to the glory days of Art Deco and to the grand tradition of French glass making. The name of each perfume appears subtly, transparently through the fluid, like a murmur. In paying a futuristic homage to the codes of French luxury and savoir-faire, the glass caps are engraved and ornamented through 3D modelling, and can be personalised with precious caps offered in limited or even unique editions. The final attention represents a nod to the world of fine jewellery. Each glass cap is stamped with a hallmark, the initials of the brand. Its’ blue interior coating recalls the emblematic colour which forges its’ identity. In a flamboyant gesture, the glass is presented in a chest of high-density foam, elaborated in the manner of a design object. The choice of this unusual material is no accident. It reflects a willingness to revisit the classic codes of perfumery and to establish the brand in modernity, in contrast with the timelessness of the glass and the metal of the cap. Precious objects, subtle fragrances, true emotion. A promise of happiness.
Ex Nihilo Parfums Press Office press@ex-nihilo-paris.com - +33 (0)1 73 73 17 06
THE COLLECTION
H E R I T A G E & I N N O V A T I O N
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
H E R I T A G E & I N N O V A T I O N THE COLLECTION
For its’ launch, Ex Nihilo presents a collection of 8 fine fragrances in 3 sizes (7.5ml, 50ml and 100ml) developed by a team of perfumers based in Paris and amongst the world’s best. 8 signature fragrances reinterpreting iconic perfumery raw materials such as rose of may, agarwood, bourbon vanilla and white musk. 8 “cartes blanches”, entrusted to the nose: with no price-limit and respect for a total creative liberty. One sole constraint, respect the principal ethos of the house: work with the most exclusive materials, dare to make unexpected combinations, and above all, do not forget that rules are primarily made to be broken.
JASMIN FAUVE “Poisonous leather flower”
JASMIN FAUVE, a scent on the brink of breaking point between floral saturation and leather intensity. A journey into the centre of a poisonous white flower, where only its diaphanous veins would be revealed. A gorgeous sensual scent empowered by the overwhelming deluge of a tropical day, a deadly but hypnotic flower, the olfactory embodiment of a chimera, a leather flower. Olfactory notes Top: Lily of the Valley, Lily Heart: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose Base: Animal Accord, Ambrox Created by Aurélien Guichard
VETIVER MOLOKO “Unusual and addictive”
VETIVER MOLOKO, a racy woody fragrance wrapped in a creamy and enveloping veil. On one hand earthy and masculine, on the other feminine and milky, this elegant wood is deliciously ambivalent when its complex symphony of scents evolves on the skin. The milky heart with a drop of vanilla creates a comfortable and silky feel. But be careful: like the Moloko Plus cocktail in the movie Clockwork Orange, this is a guilty pleasure that triggers an overwhelming addiction. Olfactory notes Top: Bergamot, Bulgarian Rose Heart: Cypress, Milky Accord Base: Vetiver, Amyris, Madagascar Vanilla Created by Guillaume Flavigny
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COLOGNE 352
COLOGNE 352, the olfactory signature of our Parisian address Rue Saint-Honoré.
“Parisian Cologne” Our interpretation of a skin Cologne, surprising and delicate, exquisitely addictive. A gentle splash of Italian lemon rises into a crescendo of an orange blossom heart, rounded with a substantive background of white cedar wood, gaïac wood and white musk. Fresh and sparkling like a morning walk in the Tuileries’ garden. Olfactory notes Top: Italian Lemon, Juniper Berries, Crushed Leaves Heart: Orange Blossom, Rose, Lily of the Valley Base: White Cedar, Gaïac Wood, White Musk Created by Jacques Huclier
ROSE HUBRIS “Full-on rose of may”
ROSE HUBRIS, a hedonistic tribute to the iconic raw material of Haute Perfumery: rose of may. The fragrance’s composition highlights all the facets of this unique ingredient: a sumptuous floral heart of rose magnified by the freshness of green leaves and the sparkle of fruity, citrus and spicy notes. At the cutting edge of creation, for an exhilarating and utterly contemporary result. Olfactory notes Top: Lychee, Fenugreek Heart: Rose of May, Labdanum Base: Oak Moss, Patchouli, Musk Created by Olivier Pescheux
MUSC INFINI
MUSC INFINI, a protective cocoon of musk in the heart of the night.
“Bright and sensual musk”
The fragrance reveals a pure and reassuring sensuality through an accord of tonka, vanilla and benzoin. The scent evolves slowly over time, leaving a subtle but long lasting freshness on skin. An addictive perfume from the city of light, that will last beyond dawn. Olfactory notes Top: Italian Bergamot, Grapefruit, Ambrette Heart: Rose absolute, Patchouli, Floral Musk Base: Benzoin, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Powdery Musk Created by Louise Turner
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BOIS D’HIVER “An iron fist in a velvet glove”
BOIS D’HIVER, a powerful woody fragrance rounded into a powdery and musky heart. Exquisitely wavering between strength and softness, this perfume symbolises the creation “à la Parisienne” of a great woody ambery heart that blends smoothly into a powdery musky signature. The contrasted version of a great and dynamic urban woody fragrance. Olfactory notes Top: Pink Pepper Orpur®, Cardamom Orpur® Heart: Heliotrope, Cyclamen, White Cedar Base: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cypriol, Musk Created by Michel Girard
OUD VENDÔME
OUD VENDÔME, a contemporary creation based on agarwood with a deliberate urban and 100% Parisian signature.
“Oriental Parisian” The fragrance opens with a spicy touch of saffron together with ginger and cinnamon, giving a fresh and modern redolence to the scent. The precious accord of agarwood, enhanced by a heart of galbanum and cedar wood, is wrapped into a musky cocoon for a self-assured sensuality. A French agarwood, above all, a creation of its own: the East and the West colliding in the middle of Place Vendôme. Olfactory notes Top: Saffron, Ginger Heart: Galbanum, Cedar Base: Agarwood accord, Incense, Musk Created by Olivier Pescheux
FLEUR NARCOTIQUE
FLEUR NARCOTIQUE, our interpretation of the new Rive Droite’s woman, sophisticated and seductive.
“Floral Overdose” An overdose of substantive ingredients for an explosion of subtle but affirmed scents. The sillage of a sensual peony wrapped in woods. A false candid flower, airy, fatal. Olfactory notes Top: Bergamot, Lychee, Peach Heart: Jasmine, Peony, Orange Blossom Base: Transparent Wood, Moss, Musk Created by Quentin Bisch
Embodying the identity of the brand, this collection has also been conceived to serve as the cornerstore for our exclusive personalisation program, which we invite you to discover.
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VENENUM KISS « Opulent and poisonous »
VENENUM KISS, a sensual and sophisticated liquor with hints of candied apricot and vanilla. The strong and intense feel of an electric night in Orient... The women are wearing their evening perfume, the sillages are thunderous. Wherever you go at night, you succumb to this same hypnotic smell. The obsessive caress of amber and suede, the velvet breath of rose and saffron. Olfactory notes Family:
Floral oriental
Top: Heart: Base:
Néroli, Safran, Noix de muscade Rose absolu, Davana, Ambre Vanille, Styrax, Bois de santal
Created by Quentin Bisch.
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HOME FRAGRANCES
BOUQUET MYSTIQUE “Fresh, delicate, sparkling”
The magical and bright harmony of a white flowers bouquet on a cloud of incense. The atmosphere of an Haussmann apartment in a dark winter night. When the Grands Boulevards light on, Bouquet Mystique thrives languidly in notes of white flowers and incense. In the manner of a sublime bouquet conversing with swirls of a rare oriental incense, a sleek and spiritual creation. Olfactory notes Top : Lily of the valley Heart : Tonka bean Base : Incense Created by Shyamala Maisondieu
BOIS DES ANGES “Warm, sophisticated, envelopping”
A warm and refined creation reminiscent of the smell of a Cognac next to a fireplace. The mingled scents of oak flooring weathered, old books, leather, the subdued atmosphere of a masculine cabinet. Olfactory notes Top : Rhum, woods Heart : Cognac Base : Smoky scents Created by Shyamala Maisondieu
LAIT D’ÉPICES “Gourmet, addictive, lively”
The celebration of the joyful scents of an American Christmas.A festive and addictive pleasure. A creation that celebrates the generous sweetness and spirit of the holiday in a smooth sailing of milk. Reminiscent of a generous American Christmas in Paris, its hint of cinnamon gives it roundness and greed for a regressive and totally addictive moment of pleasure. Olfactory notes Top : Hazelnuts Heart : Hot milk, Tonka bean Base : Vanilla Created by Shyamala Maisondieu
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COLLECTION Eau de parfum 3x7.5 ml : 55£
THE PRICE LIST Retail price incl.VAT
Eau de parfum 5x7.5 ml : 85 £ Eau de parfum 50 ml : 150 £ Eau de parfum 100 ml : 210 £
PERSONALISATION PROGRAM Eau de parfum 100 ml : 240 £ Eau de parfum 100 ml Absolu de Rose de Mai : 255 £ Eau de parfum 100 ml Absolu d’Iris : 270 £
FRAGRANCED CANDLES 220 grams : 49 £
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
THE ART OF PERSONALISATION
P E R F E C T M A T C H
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
P E R F E C T M A T C H
THE ART OF PERSONALISATION
Because we think that luxury is unique, the art of personalisation is at the heart of our vision. Each of the perfumes in the Ex Nihilo’s collection can be personalised with the highest quality ingredients, to best suit the preferences of the client. This allows to sublimate the fragrance by highlighting one of the existing olfactive facet or by giving it a new creative twist. With the precious expertise of our perfumers, we have selected exceptional quality raw materials from around the world, such as the absolute of rose of may or the absolute of iris. They have been chosen for their olfactory identity, their premium quality and their ability to marry in perfect harmony with our creations. The choice of materials for each perfume and their optimal dosage is a subtle art, the foundation stone of the work of a perfumer. Ex Nihilo offers several combinations enhancing the initial perfume and guaranteeing both the fragrance’s balance and the intensity of the personalised fragrance. Made solely on demand, these “nectars” are weighed in front of our guests in the boutique, respecting a strict protocol and using a high-precision dosing machine: a little jewel of technology and design, whose outer coating of highly-polished brass is a respectful nod to traditional alembics. The first prototype of this machine is exclusively installed at the Ex Nihilo store, 352 rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. Beyond cutting-edge technology, Ex Nihilo wishes to establish a relationship of “intuitu personae”, where human exchange and handcrafting are of the essence. In addition to a profound dialogue around the raw materials, all the creations are presented, weighed, filtered, bottled and perfected by one of our experts in front of the client. In the same striving for excellence, we offer a personalisation service to render the glass bottle a precious object, to keep and to show. A collection of personalised caps is available, in refined materials such as mother of pearl, onyx, horn or leather. Limited series of jewelled models also exist: embellished with precious stones (such as diamonds and sapphires), 24 carat gold, artistic collaborations... The glass can also be personalised with laser engraving of a name, initials, a date or a simple, secret word. So many reasons to give, or give oneself, an exceptional moment in our company. A more profound level of personalisation is also offered in the inner sanctum of our private salons, only by appointment, on the first floor at 352, rue Saint-Honoré.
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THE HOME
3 S H
5 A O
2 I N
, N O
T R
É
Service de Presse Parfums Ex Nihilo: NICE WORK Carl Ganem Pauline de Ricqlès – pauline@nicework.fr – 01 58 18 33 33
3 S H
5 A O
THE HOME
2 I N
, N O
T R
É
Having a home which does ample justice to its’ precious perfumes was imperative. The three founders chose the address: 352 rue SaintHonoré, at the heart of the most contemporary of Parisian luxury. They called on designer Christophe Pillet, who conceived with them an intimate and elegant venue. In this space, Ex Nihilo proposes an immersive brand experience, a unique reception and personal service rituals. The fully-windowed storefront expresses a conscious desire for benevolence and openness. The venue embodies the stylistic codes of the brand in a subtle game of contrasts. Metal and marble correspond with wood and felt, modernity encounters timelessness. It is a venue for discovery and experimentation dedicated to the senses and creation: innovative fragrance testers, suspended worktables, seeming to levitate above the floor surface. On the ground floor, visitors discover and test the whole collection, the limited series and the artistic collaborations. It is also on this level that the personalisation program is proposed thanks to the “Osmologue”: an exclusive and futuristic version of a high precision fragrance dosing system, that cradles the heart and the raison d’être of the brand. The first floor is both a sensorial boudoir and a working cabinet. Personal consultations around exclusive raw materials allow going further into the personalisation program. Appointments can be made directly through the store director. Private events can also be organised on demand.
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T H E S T O R E D E S I G N E R
CHRISTOPHE PILLET
His working style has been characterised by clarity of expression and the search for simplicity. Economical in his brush strokes, yet with a mastery of the dialogue between sensuality and refinement. Internationally recognized for the quality and scope of his creations, Christophe Pillet never ceases to invest in breaking new ground, beyond the realms of object and furnishing. Hotels, boutiques, restaurants, artistic direction, today his signature is associated with prestigious brands. A common attitude is found in each of his designs: an attentive response which distinguishes itself by its’ precision, his thoroughness, his generosity and his skill at crystallising the exciting qualities of a proposition into a project.
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220 grams : 59 euros