Most perfume lovers are familiar with Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. M. Malle brought the perfumer to the forefront with a line of cutting-edge fragrances, and made some of those artists the perfumery equivalent of rockstars. Recently, with the fragrance Dries Van Noten par Frédéric Malle, he expanded his inspiration into the world of fashion.

Barneys New York has created a short video of Mr. Malle as he visits the headquarters of IFF (International Fragrance and Flavors). Cameras are rarely allowed in this bastion of the olfactory arts and sciences, so this is a rare opportunity to see inside its walls. In the piece, M. Malle gives an overview of the philosophy of his company, takes you into the lab, and introduces perfumer Bruno Jovanovic, who was so adept at translating Dries Van Noten’s fashion sense into perfume that contributor Michael Devine, “the guy in the $300 fragrance and the $30 suit”, was able to grasp the aesthetic and style of the designer.

It’s a wonderful video, succinct and full of insight. We are grateful to Barney’s New York for giving us this inside look into Frédéric Malle’s World.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor