Two More Perfume Milestones Every Collector Will Relate To
Collectors know this feeling well — that moment when a simple purchase or experience transcends into a personal milestone. Whether you’re gathering coins, stamps, comics, or vintage toys, certain events stand out: landing that rare piece, visiting a hallowed place, or completing an elusive set.
A while ago, I wrote about some of my early collector’s milestones in perfumery. This post continues that story — the next two chapters in my ongoing scent odyssey.
5. My First Private-Party Purchase
I’ve hunted down some wild vintage bottles in my day, but always through trusted shops — never from individuals. There’s something slightly unnerving about buying from private sellers. You never know if the “juice” has soured, unless you’re dealing with a well-known name like Mudassir.
But one day, while browsing Parfumo’s Souk, a familiar name stopped me cold: Cuir Cannage by Dior. Created by François Demachy in 2014 for Dior’s Collection Privée, it’s a leathery-floral-spicy gem that has since been discontinued (if the Parfumo database is to be believed). “Cuir” means leather, and “Cannage” refers to the cane-woven pattern you see on Dior’s iconic chairs and bags — an elegant nod to French design.
Image Credit: Minniemuse.com
I’d always admired how Cuir Cannage occupies a different corner of olfactory leather than Papillon’s Salome — both feature jasmine, yet they diverge dramatically in tone. So when I spotted an 80% full bottle from a private seller, I couldn’t resist. The risk was worth it. Today, that bottle sits proudly in my collection, a tangible reminder that sometimes stepping outside your buying comfort zone pays off beautifully.
6. A Pilgrimage to Nishane Istanbul
If you live and breathe perfume and are lucky enough to travel, certain stores become destinations in themselves: Jovoy Paris, Serge Lutens Palais Royal, Les Senteurs London, Scent Bar in LA or New York — places where perfume lovers feel like pilgrims arriving at sacred ground.
To that list, I’d now add Nishane Istanbul. In a world where Paris and New York dominate the fragrance scene, creating a global name from Istanbul is no small feat. So when I planned my Istanbul trip, there was just one non-negotiable on the itinerary: we are visiting Nishane’s flagship.
The store isn’t ostentatious — no chandeliers, no theatrics — just tastefully modest, lined with the full Nishane collection. I walked in with my usual ritual: explore everything, but have one perfume in mind as a fallback. This time it was Fan Your Flames, with Afrika Olifant as my wildcard test.
Hours (and countless sprays) later, I was ready to make my purchase when the rep suggested I try something new. I almost declined — until he mentioned the perfumer’s name: Dominique Ropion. Wait… Ropion? For Nishane? How had I missed that? One sniff of Papilefiko (meaning “butterflies”) and my entire plan changed. Out went Fan Your Flames; in came Ropion’s signature craftsmanship.
A full-wear review is coming soon, but for now, that visit stands as one of my great collector milestones — not just discovering a scent, but rediscovering the thrill of curiosity.
And since it’s a new year: my 2026 fragrance resolution? To explore as many new perfumers as I can. (Although let’s be honest — Duchaufour, Ropion, and Antoine Lie will always be my exceptions.)