I’ve been thinking again about Kevin’s recent post about samples. I recognize his frustration with so many niche brands: the ever-higher prices and well-designed websites don’t always guarantee novel or memorable olfactory experiences. I deliberately stalled on trying the new-ish brand BDK Parfums (founded in 2016, but only available in the United States since 2020) because I had a hunch that, despite a wave of online adulation, this would be more of the same. But then I had a chance to receive a BDK sample set as a gift-with-purchase, so I gave in; why not?
If you’re familiar with French and French-inspired niche perfumery brands of the twenty-first century, you’ll recognize this checklist of familiar elements…