The classy new scents we DO love

EDITIONS DE PARFUMS FREDERIC MALLE

WHO? Experts say Malle kicked off the niche perfume trend. In 2000, he asked the ten most gifted ‘noses’ in the world to make fragrances that weren’t dictated by fashion or price. TOP PICK: Une Rose (below, £145 for 50ml). A break away from powdery rose scents, expert Michael Donovan says it’s ‘like burying your face in a bloom’. WHERE? Selfridges ( selfridges.com).

LE LABO

WHO? Founded in 2006 by two ex- L’Oreal employees, it aims to reclaim perfume from what it sees as a mass market of uniformity. TOP PICK: Bergamote 22 (from £50). With grapefruit, amber, musk and bergamot, this has a spiciness you don’t expect. WHERE? Le Labo ( lelabo fragrances.com).

ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE

WHO? Etienne de Swardt, who founded the firm in 2006 after working for Givenchy, wanted to create scents with ‘originality, audacity, authenticity and freedom of expression’. These are provocative — try Fat Electrician or Putain des Palaces (Hotel Slut). TOP PICK: Rien (above, £70 for 50ml). It means ‘nothing’, but with a leather, incense and amber blend, it’s everything. WHERE? Les Senteurs ( les senteurs.com).

4160 TUESDAYS

WHO? Named after the number of Tuesdays in 80 years, Sarah McCartney wrote about a perfumer and was inspired to create the scents she’d described.

TOP PICK: A Kiss By The Fireside (below, £40 for 30ml) blends wood, musk, orange and clove.

WHERE? 4160 Tuesdays ( 4160tuesdays.com).

ILLUMINUM

WHO? Five years ago, hair stylist Michael Boadi launched the line to focus on quality ingredients. Lawrence Roullier-White praises its maverick attitude to perfume and ‘modern approach to florals’. TOP PICK: White Gardenia Petals (£70 for 50ml), apparently the scent the Duchess of Cambridge wore at her wedding. It’s a fresh take on white flowers. WHERE? Roullier White ( roullierwhite.com).