At Interparfums SA, they’re not afraid to take risks. After making the perfumes of major houses like Van Cleef & Arpels and Montblanc shine, the company is now preparing to launch its own in-house brand: Solférino Paris. An evocative name that smacks of… political maneuvering, backroom deals, and the polished floors of old-school politics.

Why Solférino? To honor its headquarters, of course! Located at 10 rue de Solférino, in the very chic 7th district of Paris, the building—formerly the stronghold of the Socialist Party—is now in the hands of a different kind of conquering empire: that of luxury fragrances. Once, the battle of ideas was fought there; now, the battle of olfactory notes is waged, often more subtle (but just as divisive).

And what a tribute! With Solférino Paris, Interparfums is playing the memory and chic card. We don’t yet know if the top note will evoke the sweat of a Socialist congress in 30°C heat or the post-artillery ozone of the 1859 battle the very one where Napoleon III and the Sardinians thrashed the Austrians. But in any case, there will be sweat.

The black and white checkered floor in the entrance no doubt evokes the moral dilemmas of the left of yesteryear… or simply a very Versace Italian chic. The launch is planned for soon, under the watchful eye of Benacin, CEO and strategic “nose” of Interparfums. He reportedly had an olfactory revelation while treading the marble of the hall: “I smelled something… a note of redemption, a hint of revolution, and a woody base of ideological realignment.” You can’t make this up: Solférino Paris, the only perfume that smells of the war of sensibilities, it’s topical… good luck to you, and perhaps, we’ll see each other on rue “Princesse” at midnight.

FM