Marc-Antoine Barrois The Ultimate in Magnificent Extrait De Parfum

Exquisite scents sometimes come from unplanned journeys or unexpected connections and, in doing so, stand out from the crowd. We choose our life travels, planning the routes we will take, our unforeseen passage, altered, exceeding expectations. French couturier-turned-perfumer Marc-Antoine Barrois is known for his unique, powerful, almost electric fragrances. He stands out in what has quickly become a crowded niche perfumery market, because he doesn’t approach fragrance as a ‘chemist’, a ‘nose’, or even a ‘commercial producer’. Because at his heart is the fact that he already is a creator, his initial métier, a couturier. When this bold, innovative magician expressed that he would only produce one new scent this year, it was obvious it was going to be a ‘perfume moment’: Well, it’s so much more, the new B87.135 Extrait de Parfum, exclusive to Harrods, is majestic, so find out more in Marc-Antoine Barrois The Ultimate in Magnificent Extrait De Parfum.

Marc-Antoine Barrois Paris

His transition from couture fashion to perfumery in 2016, in some ways, was brought about by a meeting with friends who introduced him to his ‘perfume soul-mate’, the remarkable Nose, Quentin Bisch. A former music student and an artistic director who found his way into the world of scent, and not unlike Marc-Antoine, is a thinker driven by art and emotion, enabling him to conjure bold, intelligent and sometimes leftfield elixirs.

Magic Notes

Right, Marc Antoine Barrois, left Quentin Bisch

The meeting of the two has brought about specific, architecturally rigorous scents, absolutely uncompromising, that few others could even dream about, let alone create. Together, they produce truly unique perfumery because theirs is a fusion of emotions and minds; passionate yet guttural, grounded yet heavenly; intangible, emotional and utterly inspirational, a perfect meeting entwined in scent. Between them, they constantly push the boundaries of creativity while honouring the essence of the art of fragrance.

New B87.135 Extrait de Parfum at Harrods 2026

When Marc-Antoine created his first perfume, B683, Harrods was his dream shop, and even though they wanted to sell this scent, he knew that there was no way that only he (and one other person who worked with him) could produce enough to be consistent, so rather than potentially lose what he considered the perfect store, he chose to wait. Until now, that is because the only perfume he is launching this year is exclusive to the store. Meet B87.135 extrait de parfum, named after its address at 87–135 Brompton Road. For both Marc-Antoine and Quentin Bisch, the landmark store is a summary of opulence, luxury and richness, and so the perfume becomes these shared emotions; bottled.

It may be easy to say this is a scent with a woody, spicy and amber profile, but it is so much more. From the rich depth of the carpeted floors, via the Egyptian-style columns, and elaborate golden ceilings, the Arabic touches of a grand elevated souk, this perfume captures the very core of the sumptuous feeling within.

B87.135 Extrait de Parfum Notes.

When we see the notes of a perfume listed, we are not always getting a full story; the houses will top-line key notes, aiding us in telling the story. But this Opus is more than the notes; it is the blending and the notes that are not always listed as much as the balance and journey of a fragrance. But we have to start somewhere.

The initial ‘hit’ and it is a hit in both senses of the word, brings spicy and resinous opening of vibrant, lemony-fresh, and slightly sweet spice of Pink Peppercorn, with intimate, skin-like aroma, powdery hints, vegetal facets and of booze from Ambrette Seeds and balsamic resin, with a slight ‘cold’ mineral hint here provided by the Myrrh. Already, the opening has a level of duality, so often a signature of the house.

More ‘leathery’ spicy, hay richness in its heart comes from noble red-gold dense Saffron, regal Rose Oil brings velvety-honeyed florals alongside the heavenly earthy cool powder of Orris Butter, adding another layer of yin-yang, but also elevating top notes and melding and bringing a sort of creamy skin-like smooth ‘coccon’ to the mix.

Animalic Leather here feels softened and rounded, becoming almost suede-like, sitting alongside grounding, rich, smoky, Dark Tobacco, giving a depth, as if walking through a treacle-like, bakour-esque, smoky trail. Added Saffron again highlights the suede-leather and also echoes the opening, whilst hay like Vetiver, brings a smoky and grounding element, Georgywood with warm, clean, and intense woody scent echoes back the Cedarwood also present, whilst Patchouli explodes the trail to its highest point, as if the powerful nectar could ‘explode’ like manna from heaven.

This is not perfume for beginners, nor is it perfume for those who like gourmand, cake-like sweetness. This is the very essence of purity and magnificence. This is an Opus for real fragrance lovers, who know what greatness smells like. It’s not even fair to call in a ‘dark leathery spice’ scent as it’s far more faceted and nuanced than mere labels.

Like a magical elixir, this perfume wraps around itself and the wearer, like the best dark suede-leather jacket, as though the very essence of the materials echoes the energy of the elegant yet ‘rock and roll’ wearer. A faceted scent, as much as it is dark and woody, smoky and cool, is also warm and comforting. Also note, it comes with an immense 12-15 hour longevity.

Now, when you say you will only launch one perfume this year, you know the standard needs to be high, well, it is off the chart here, so if you are going to buy only one perfume this year, make sure it’s Marc-Antoine Barrois B87.135 Extrait de Parfum masterpiece at Harrods

Find the scent here B87.135 Extrait at Harrods.com in its distinct ‘Harrods-green’ box.

If you enjoyed reading Marc-Antoine Barrois The Ultimate in Magnificent Extrait De Parfum, then why not read A Love Letter To Lost Flavours

.Cent magazine, London. Luxury Mindset