Tom Ford, Dries van Noten, More

Rabanne Phantom Red Parfum Intense

What it will look like: Dancing at a Berlin nightclub until it closes. There are bodies everywhere, and all eyes are fixed on that special person. Here, the softness of lavender, which appears almost by chance, is overtaken by a fiery scent (saffron) and a heady aroma (plum wine), making you feel as if you are completely engulfed by desire. I can feel the earthiness of my own sweat creeping in, but I find it can’t match the earthiness of Phantom in Red’s amber, tobacco, and oud.

Why it’s special: The most intense expression of Rabanne’s beloved Phantom line for men, this perfume packs a long-lasting punch that won’t require reapplying throughout the day. It’s one of the only fragrance bestsellers on the market that utilizes plum wine, merging 2026 perfume trends with more sophisticated gourmet and boozy concoctions, and is refillable (because this rich stuff is meant to last a lifetime).

Note: Lavender, benzoin, amber, plum wine, saffron, lavender, oud

Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150

DS & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum

What it will look like: Biting into gelato for the first time this summer. Because one bite is all it takes to realize how voracious we are for everything this season has to offer. I was stunned by the unexpected salty explosion of gelato. Teleporting to pistachio gelato all those years ago, I felt a certain willful carelessness that came with youth and youth. I decide to be careless again, just for one day – the feeling of the sun on my face and the taste in my mouth will overwhelm everything else.

Why it’s special: Perfume shoppers are becoming more selective, as evidenced by the recent trend away from flat vanilla and caramel formulations in favor of moody and toasty scents. Nuts are the star of perfumery in 2026, and this standout scent from DS & Durga masters just the right balance of playfulness, nostalgia, and elegance. Pistachios dominate here, with a light sprinkling of cardamom, almonds and vanilla cream for depth. In the end, the gourmand scent comes across as “very herbal-like overall”, according to the reviewer, and the pared-down ingredient list on the back (only seven in total – a rarity in modern times) is surprising. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this summery thing is not suitable for winter. After all, the best kinds of scents can soothe our collective desire for warmth and light.

Note: Pistachios, cardamom, roasted almonds, vanilla cream

Prices on the date of publication of this article: 300 dollars

tom ford myrrh mystere eau de parfum

What it will look like: Like a wise man, you travel by night. The journey is long and sometimes spiritual, but the only thing that remains constant aside from the seemingly unchanging landscape is the fragrant resin that follows you. You don’t know how long the trek will last, but there’s a sensual calm that makes you feel grounded. Your Star of Bethlehem is a collection of all your most cherished and intimate wishes. As night turns to day, the shadowy presence of myrrh clings to you, a musky balm that makes you feel at home even when you’re miles away.

Why it’s special: There’s a reason Tom Ford’s 2023 release Myrrh Mystere is called provocative. It aces a structure that’s hard to ace, with heavier, darker notes (myrrh, absinthe essence, sandalwood) folded in with lively jasmine and vanilla. Unisex and sustainably created, this scent is layerable and benefits from its staying power.

Note: Myrrh Duo, Absinthe Essence, Australian Sandalwood, Jasmine Absolute, Ultra Vanilla Accord, Black Leather Accord

Prices on the date of publication of this article: $195

Dries Van Noten Soie Marake Eau de Parfum

What it will look like: You take out your fountain pen and ink blotter and start writing a letter to the far-off Duchess and other people you’ve had the pleasure of meeting in recent months. Even though the study’s heavy velvet curtains are drawn towards the morning, the Brussels sun manages to scatter its diffused light across the mahogany floor. With a cup of tea (bergamot) next to me, I get lost in thought, writing the letter takes a backseat and forgetting my daydreams. When your father plays the piano in the drawing room downstairs, the music becomes the soundtrack to your inner world. It’s almost time for dinner, followed by our daily walk in the park and the first flickers of snow of the season. The letter was still unfinished.

Why it’s special: Consumers are tired of unnecessarily elaborate scent profiles and the more-is-more approach to what they sprinkle on their bodies, and are turning to soft-spoken “second skin” perfumes this winter. As such, an atmosphere of quiet luxury is on the rise in the industry, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better description than Dries Van Noten’s Soie Marake. A combination of chestnut and the kind of silk that sometimes covers the fashion house’s dresses, and attended by blackcurrant, cocoa, bergamot, and other guests of honor, the product is often considered “fantasy” and conveys that through a Delft-inspired porcelain bottle. This is some of the most beautiful packaging I’ve ever seen.

Note: Bergamot, blackcurrant, rose, silk, chestnut, cocoa

Prices on the date of publication of this article: $376

Parfum de Marly Valaya limited edition parfum

What it will look like: The thrill of a moonlit secret meeting. Without giving any thought to the latter possibility, he holds hands with his lover, who might stay with him beyond that night. Somewhere just south of Versailles we come across a garden already drenched in dew. Once or twice I inhale and discover that it is loaded with a variety of nearly ripe fruits, and only after I catch a glimpse of its vague silhouette framed by lush foliage, dark trees, and a veiled sky.

Why it’s special: Parfums de Marly has managed to overcome its old-school reputation as a French perfume house that pays homage to the legacy of Louis XV and all the luxury that comes with it, and with its much talked about arrival at Valaya, it is attracting a younger audience with modern sensibilities. This instant icon is a contrasting piece that simultaneously has cottony softness and citrus vigor, the latter serving as a welcome respite from the winter chill. Interestingly, the layering here is a deliberate nod to the style of French court dress of the late 18th century. But don’t get me wrong. This perfume is by no means whimsical and transparent (as the opaque bottle suggests). This is a popular product that is popular for its trademark femininity.

Note: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nymphale, vetiver, akigara wood, ambrofix, musk

Prices on the date of publication of this article: $430