Histoires de Parfums
an olfactive library
Audacious, disruptive, generous, hyper-creative, and... Parisian!
Such are the fragrances envisioned by Gérald Ghislain, a loquacious individual
with a luxuriant imagination who has chosen to bringhis stories to life through perfumes, a sensitive and sensual medium.
OUR STORY
An olfactive library that is telling stories about famous characters, mythical years, poems and music. The collection created by Gérald Ghislain is governed by no rules other than inspiration. With his luxuriant imagination, this loquacious individual has chosen to bring his stories to life in perfumes, a sensitive and sensual medium. Histoires de Parfums releases its fragrances in a Deluxe edition to be read on your skin.
Philosophy
Histoires de Parfums’ perfumes perpetuate the French perfumery know-how, which features are luxury, nobility and creativity. Histoires de Parfums offers fragrant novels, musical scores and poems. In this collection you can meet extraordinary characters, discover the most exquisite materials in the world of perfumery, delight in poetry from both the Orient and Occident, encounter sublime divas... With this perfume library, Gérald Ghislain wanted to evoke stories through scents just as books are written with emotions.
Gérald Ghislain
" My perfumes have never been about a quest for the most beautiful scent,
but always for the most beautiful emotion."
FRENCH MAKER!
Yesterday in Paris, today in Marbella, tomorrow in New York, Gérald Ghislain draws his inspiration from his travels and encounters. It can be said of him that he writes his own story at the frenetic pace of passionate polymaths, investing his entire being in his projects...
Born in Morocco, Gérald grew up in the south of France, surrounded by the scents of the Mediterranean. He refines his palate and his nose through gastronomy, learning the art of blending and enhancing flavors. It is behind a stove that his adventures begin. He opens his first restaurant at the age of 22.
By the end of the 1990s, he is a successful restaurateur at the helm of two establishments in Paris, and he is also the father of four already grown children. Resurfacing in the mind of this insatiable entrepreneur is another dream that he starts to cultivate once again...
“I come from the world of gastronomy, closely linked to that of perfume. In both cases, we elevate nature. Beyond the creation of a fragrance or a dish, what matters is the concept of sensuality and sharing.”
olfactive library
HISTOIRES DE PARFUMS
In 2000, after a solid training at ISIPCA, the French school for higher education in perfumery, he authorizes himself and embarks on a project that has ultimately always been: developing his own line of perfume. At a time when niche perfumery (or designer perfumery, as opposed to mainstream perfumery) is still in its early stages, with brands such as By Killian, Le Labo, Frédéric Malle, etc., Gérald Ghislain founds Histoires de Parfums.
He creates a collection of perfumes that reflect his personality, rich in temperament and distinctly romantic.
NEW INSPIRATION
OLIBANUM
In 2020, the lockdown happens. “Like everyone, I probably felt disoriented at first, but I must also admit that for me, bewilderment quickly gave way to productive introspection. Naturally, I came to ask myself this question: if I were to create a brand today, how would I do it? If I had to take into account the circumstances that allow me the time to ask this question, what would I want to talk about, what would I pay attention to?”...
In 2022, Olibanum is launched; it is a brand driven by the values of simplicity, consciousness and commitment, taking into account environmental concerns. Simplicity is reflected in clean, immediately identifiable fragrances that can be easily combined. Every element of the product follows a “reasonable” logic: the goal is to do the best possible to minimize the impact on the environment.
Natural raw materials come from preservation programs and/or community return initiatives. The commitment is to participate in projects that support these communities.
DISCOVER
concept of «raisonnable»
In just 20 years of existence, despite the strong emergence of niche perfume brands, Gérald Ghislain has managed to sustain his company and brands in this industry. Histoires de Parfums is considered a pioneering brand, acclaimed for its independence and creative freedom, while Olibanum is seen as a new gem that appeals to those who appreciate modern perfumes with an engaged and responsible approach.
Today, after yet another journey around the world, Gérald is relocating to the United States to closely sense the latest trends and explore the concept of «raisonnable» in all its essence. “Raisonnable” and not “sustainable,” as he likes to emphasize, he finds the notion more honest, as being “sustainable” in the strict sense would mean stopping everything to cultivate vegetables.
At almost 60 years old, Gérald Ghislain is, more than ever, committed to being reasonable in how he anticipates the production of his company, yet he incorrigibly strives to remain unreasonable when it comes to creativity.