Spring is always buzzing with fresh energy. At a recent Skins Cosmetics event, three bold perfume houses presented their latest scents—blending art, strategy, and a touch of rebellion. These bottled stories are redefining what fragrances can be.
From the US: Mind Games
Imagine Louis Vuitton’s iconic chess campaign—the one featuring Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo locked in a chess battle atop monogrammed suitcases, shot by the renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. Now, picture a fragrance house that channels that same playful strategy into scent. Enter Mind Games.
Founded by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf, a couple deeply involved in the world of chess, their brand approaches perfumery like a well-calculated game. Take French Defense, for instance—a floral-ambery extrait de parfum with notes of black cherry, soft liqueur, amber, and wood, complemented by a heart of Madagascan geranium and mimosa. Each fragrance name has a chess reference, and even the bottles evoke the precision and allure of a masterfully played chess set. Chess, anyone?
La Dolce Vita: Francesca Bianchi
For those who appreciate liquid art, Francesca Bianchi offers an intoxicating blend of Italian allure and history. Founded in 2016 by the self-taught perfumer, her “Liquid Emotions” tell stories as vivid as any modern painting.
Take Sex and The Sea, one of her most iconic creations. It evokes a sultry, unforgettable evening by the water, with notes of coconut, pineapple, amber-warmed skin, and salty air intertwining. Then, with a dash of neroli, Bianchi reimagines the scent in Sex and The Sea Neroli—a layered fragrance with an extra floral note.
Crafted in limited editions with unrivalled attention to detail, her work is a true celebration of fragrance as art. Today, her studio calls Amsterdam home.
French Fragrantica: Antinomie
Then there’s Antinomie, a French house established in 2022 that celebrates the beauty of contradictions. With a collection of unisex fragrances, this perfume brand rediscovers everyday magical moments—both understated and adventurous. Each scent embraces modern dualities, offering affordable luxury without compromise.
Available at Merci Paris, the brand is perfect for the Gen Z crowd—effortlessly cool, endlessly expressive.
More information: www.skins.nl
All images are shot by author or courtesy of the brands.
