Fragrant Prose

Because Frederic Malle considers himself a publisher of perfumes, it is only fitting that this month he debuts his first coffee-table book, Frederic Malle: On Perfume Making (Angelika Books), with illustrations by Konstantin Kakanias and a foreword by longtime friend Catherine Deneuve. The book celebrates many of the fragrance industry's 'leading noses," with whom Malle has collaborated over the years. It offers behind-the-scenes looks into the world of perfume, unearths the inspiration and origin of iconic fragrances such as Carnal Flower by Dominique Ropion, and even reveals trade secrets— among them the magic ingredients behind Pierre Bourdon's Iris Poudre (sold at Barneys; barneys.com). Additionally, next month Malle will launch his latest venture with shoe and jewelry designer Pierre Hardy. The two have created a limitededition package of aesthetically inspired travel spray cases designed to hold any 10-milliliter vial of Malle's perfumes. "I like Pierre's simple, almost Bauhaus approach. It is luxury through design, good taste, and imagination," says Malle. (Sold at Frederic Malle boutiques; fredericmalle.com.)

FREDERIC MALLE ON PERFUME MAKING