My Modern Darcy

When it comes to fine fragrances, most connoisseurs instinctively think of names hailing from France or Italy, famed for their storied traditions in perfume making. Yet, as time progresses, remarkable blends are emerging from unexpected corners of the globe, captivating those who seek originality beyond the usual borders. One such discovery, thanks to last November’s “Explorers by Esxence” at Cosmoprof Asia trade fair, is BOHOBOCO • PERFUME , a Polish niche brand breathing

Dear readers, as someone who has wandered through the enchanting world of Italian perfumes, I have often found myself searching for something truly captivating amidst the oversaturated and suffocating perfume marketplace. During my visit to the "Explorers by Esxence" trade fair at the latest edition of Cosmoprof Asia in November 2025, I was awakened by the luxury Italian niche perfume house, Nobile 1942 . They reignited my passion for the understated elegance of Italian nic

Dear readers, there is profound charm in the intangible artistry of perfume, a symphony of scent composed by the talents of master perfumers and visionary creators. With their creative drive, boldness, and innovation, these artists craft fragrances that defy convention, delighting only the most discerning connoisseurs with creations worth coveting and collecting. During my visit to “Explorers by Esxence” at Cosmoprof Asia back in November, I discovered a selection of perfum

Dear readers, further to my previous blog about Italian style and a serendipitous vintage book find, I would like to extend this narrative in this new blog, a stylish sequel for those captivated by the world of Neapolitan tailoring or anyone yearning for a spark of refined inspiration as the festive season approaches. During that same fortuitous vintage book hunt, I uncovered a truly stylish gem - " Rubinacci and the Story of Neapolitan Tailoring ", a volume that invites the

Dear readers, how many of you have heard the quote: "Books showed me the way of life," attributed to Emperor Hadrian? I stumbled upon this phrase only recently in the Fall-Winter 2025 campaign of the Italian luxury cashmere brand, Brunello Cucinelli, where the founder was surrounded by towering stacks of books forming an overwhelming "book wall". To me, this image and the quote brilliantly captured the deep connection between knowledge, history, and the refined art of timel

Dear readers, as the festive season approaches, indulging in a little self-gifting alongside picking presents for others isn't a bad idea at all, especially at Christmas, when we all deserve a touch of stylish luxury. For those who appreciate sophisticated style and refined fragrances and prefer to steer clear of mainstream, oversaturated, or overly commercial brands, today's blog might be right up your alley! About a year ago, I came across THoO ( The House of Oud ), an I