More than just a pop-up: Maison Francis Kurkdjian opens an ephemeral emporium in Paris

Perfumer Francis Kirkdjian has opened his second Parisian boutique, a haven of scented luxury in which to explore the full range of his fragrant creations – alongside a wonderful treasure trove of ‘curated’ items to tempt and intrigue.

Taking the form of a pop-up instillation in the historical district of Le Marais, this ephemeral atmosphere will can be experienced only until 1st February – at which point it will close for a complete renovation before re-opening as a new boutique for Maison Francis Kurkdjian in May 2015.

More than simply a pop-up shop, Kurkdjian has worked with his close friends and artistic contemporaries to create an atmosphere of inspiration, where the fragrance collection rubs shoulders with precious Baccarat crystal and rare porcelain objets, paper sculptures, art photographs, exquisitely constructed fans, even a vintage piano – not to mention an assortment of gourmet delights.

One of the highlights will be the chance to sniff the scented leather accessories painstakingly handcrafted by renowned saddle-makers and leather experts, Atelier Renard. Harking back to the earliest days of 17th-century perfumery, when rather rustic tanning methods required leather gloves to be fragranced before ladies of the nobility would dream of buying or wearing them (a subject we explore in depth in The Perfume Society’s Fashion & Fragrance edition of The Scented Letter), Atelier Renard has created a scented leather twinset of a wallet and card holder, with distinctly modern styling in a range of truly sumptuous colours.

Using a deep woody amber note for the calf hide cardholders and a vanilla amber accord for the crocodile collection, these pieces are created to the finest standards using artisan techniques worthy of haute couture.

This interplay of fine fragrances, art pieces, vibrant colours and materials, gourmet foods and historical objects will give you great insight into the inspiration and character of the star perfumer, almost like peeping into his own home – indeed many of the objects are personally sourced from his no-doubt fabulous Parisian apartment itself. Kurkdjian specialises in bringing together some of the world’s greatest artists, both contemporary and historically, and all in the name of the art of perfumery itself.

We can’t wait to go and have a nose around!

In this pop-up store, the Maison Francis Kirkdjian collection will be surrounded by creations from…