With a steady stream of fragrances passing under my nose each month, it’s not often that one makes me stop and take notice. Rarer still is a collection where every scent feels as surprising and compelling as the last. For me, the fragrances of Marc-Antoine Barrois are exactly that.
It’s easy, as someone who creates content, to fall into the habit of praising a brand simply because you’ve been gifted something. So let me begin by saying quite clearly, that is not the case here. My fascination began in October 2020, when I received their debut fragrance, B683. At the time, the brand wasn’t particularly well known in the UK. Yet from the very first spray, I knew I’d discovered something genuinely special.
Marc-Antoine Barrois didn’t begin his creative journey with fragrance. He first made his name as a couturier, launching his initial menswear collection in 2006. That led to opportunities at Dominique Sirop in Paris, a collaboration with Jean-Paul Gaultier at Hermès, and eventually, the founding of his own Maison de Couture for men in 2009.
It wasn’t until 2015 that the world of tailoring met the world of scent. A chance meeting between Barrois and perfumer Quentin Bisch sparked the idea for what would become the house’s first fragrance.
B683
This is the fragrance that began my love affair with the brand. Inspired by Marc-Antoine’s childhood memories — family walks, the scent of leather, warm fires, and beautiful materials — B683 opens with rich, spicy warmth. Saffron introduces a suede-like texture, while a cooler note emerges like the metallic touch of a belt buckle against smooth leather.
The result is warm, woody, slightly sweet and earthy. There’s a clear sense of refinement that immediately resonated with me. For something bolder, the extrait intensifies the profile, with an added touch of apple and oud, taking the original to another level entirely.
Ganymede
This may well be the fragrance that put the brand on the map for many. It opens with a bright burst of sparkling mandarin, and as with all Barrois fragrances, what follows is far from expected. Imagine sipping San Pellegrino on a boat, the citrus spritz mingling with cool metal and smooth leather, as waves bring in the scent of salt and sea air.
Hints of saffron and immortelle introduce a dry, almost abstract warmth, creating a dance between coolness and heat that lingers on the skin. It’s seductive, magnetic, and hard to explain — yet undeniably alluring. The extrait version introduces frankincense and myrrh, pushing the boundaries even further.
Encelade
This one wasn’t love at first sniff, but over time it’s become a firm favourite in my collection. The sharp green note of rhubarb instantly took me back to my grandparents’ garden, snapping fresh stalks straight from the earth — tart, juicy, and green.
The opening is vivid, but then the scent veers into darker territory, with a smoky, spicy leather. It might have tipped into harshness if not for the creamy sandalwood and grounding vetiver that balance the composition. It’s green, woody, and utterly unique, and I find it especially well-suited to the cooler climes of Scotland.
Tilia
Tilia marked the house’s first step into florals, its bottle distinguished by a bold red band around the neck. It’s often described as happiness in a bottle, and I tend to agree. On grey Scottish days, this is one I instinctively reach for.
I once described it as the scent of lying in a garden on a hazy summer evening. The air is warm and still, birds chirping in the distance, and the comforting blend of fresh laundry and linden blossom drifting past. It radiates a soft, glowing sunlight, its florals plush and velvety, grounded by a smoky touch of vetiver. This is a scent I’ll always keep close, an instant lift and a quiet reminder of brighter days.
Aldebaran
Continuing with the floral theme, Aldebaran, released earlier this year, focuses on the sultry richness of tuberose. But this isn’t tuberose as you know it. In true MAB style, it’s transformed into something otherworldly — a cool, luminous bloom with an extraterrestrial edge.
The fragrance debuted at Milan Design Week, paired with an immersive installation called Mission Aldebaran, in collaboration with Antoine Bouillot. I was fortunate enough to attend, and it was a rare insight into the creative process behind the scent.
What makes Aldebaran so intriguing is how differently it wears on everyone. For me, it brought to mind a walk along the Scottish coast after a warm day, with sea mist rolling in and softening the scent of sun-warmed gorse. I picked up a coconut warmth from the gorse flowers, veiled in cool air, with an unexpected flicker of paprika adding a subtle glow.
What I admire most about Marc-Antoine Barrois is the brand’s refusal to follow trends. They remain true to their own creative language, never straying from their identity. Each fragrance is utterly distinct, yet unmistakably theirs.
Just like the elegant clothing Marc-Antoine creates, these scents form a kind of emotional wardrobe — wearable pieces of art that speak to different moods and moments. They are, quite simply, unlike anything else.
Marc-Antoine Barrois Fragrances are available in the UK at their store, Harrods and online.
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