Nothing initially destined Marc-Antoine Barrois to venture into perfumery. Yet in the shadow of the November 2015 Paris attacks, as international clients grew scarce in Paris, the designer sought a way to maintain a connection with them. A pivotal encounter with perfumer Quentin Bisch soon set things in motion, leading to the creation of his first signature fragrance, B683. Initially sent to a circle of loyal clients and launched at the iconic Colette concept store, this leathery, ambery, woody composition — named after the asteroid in The Little Prince — quickly achieved unexpected success despite its limited release. Buoyed by this enthusiasm, the designer went on to expand his olfactory universe with new creations.
A fruitful creative alchemy
Five perfumes, two extraits, and three candles have emerged from the ongoing dialogue between the perfumer and the fashion designer — an artistic partnership shaped by shared cultural references and a finely attuned olfactory sensibility. Barrois conceives the narrative; Bisch gives it form in scent. No marketing department interferes in this fruitful exchange.
The brand’s reputation truly took off with Ganymede, launched in 2019 – a chiaroscuro composition balancing a burst of citrus with the darker undertones of leather, enhanced by spices and immortelle. This creation, now a bestseller, was awarded the Jury Prize by the Fragrance Foundation France and the Fragrance Foundation UK in 2020, in the categories of “Independent Niche Brand” and “Extraordinary Fragrance”).
Following this success were B683 Extrait (2020), Encelade (2022), Ganymede Extrait (2023), Tilia (2024), another bestseller from the brand, and Aldebaran last year. Designed with eco-responsibility in mind – local production, no plastic – the range is formulated without colour additives, endocrine disruptors, or UV filters. As far as suppliers are concerned, the brand buy its bottles from Stoelzle Masnière and its caps from Coverpla.
2025: A prolific year
The latest creation, the Aldebaran fragrance, was unveiled in 2025 during Milan Design Week through a monumental, immersive installation titled “Mission Aldebaran.” Created in collaboration with artist Antoine Bouillot, the work received the Best Installation award. It highlighted the House’s multifaceted identity, spanning Haute Couture, fragrance, and contemporary art.
In 2025, the brand also expanded into the Middle East, notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This highly promising market has delivered results well beyond expectations, with turnover exceeding initial projections by 300%.
Setting the course for growth in 2026
Marc-Antoine Barrois is set to open his first boutique in New York on April 16th. Spanning 350 square meters, the space fully embodies the brand’s spirit — through design, ready-to-wear, jewellery, and fragrances. Conceived as a labyrinth of rooms and worlds that inspire wonder, it serves as a platform for the designer’s free and sincere expression. Enhanced by artistic installations, the boutique is located in SoHo, the city’s most European district, perfectly reflecting the brand’s identity. Nestled within a golden triangle of emerging fragrance, it shares its neighbourhood with boutiques from Chanel, Issey Miyake, and Amouage.
After recently establishing a presence in Mexico, the brand is expanding into Brazil, with the upcoming opening of a store in São Paulo. Marc-Antoine Barrois is also strengthening its presence in Asia with the launch of shop-in-shops in China.
On the product front, the designer has just unveiled an exclusive for Harrods: B87.135 Extrait. A tribute to the iconic London address, this second extrait offers a new interpretation of B683, originally launched in 2016 — a celebration of ten years of perfumery.
Marc-Antoine Barrois, which employed just ten people in 2023, now counts a team of around 90. With distribution in 500 points of sale, this growth is largely driven by the success of its fragrance line. Haute Couture, however, remains the exclusive preserve of the Parisian flagship at 14 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
