Parisian modernity with a lab streak, sized to try before the flacon.
Ex Nihilo runs cool and self assured, chic minerality and clean florals set against dry woods and modern amber. Nothing shouts. Fleur Narcotique was the breakout that put the house on the map, and the line has kept that same quiet, bespoke feeling since.
- Origin Paris, France
- Founded 2013
- Known for Fleur Narcotique, cool modern woods
- Here 7 fragrances
- Founders
- Sylvie Loday, Olivier Royère and Benoît Verdier
- Concept
- Paris perfume house built around personalisation
- Made in
- France (most of the range)
01
A trio from the luxury trade
Ex Nihilo was founded in Paris in 2013 by three people from the luxury business. Sylvie Loday, born in Princeton to French parents, is an engineer. Olivier Royère was born in Stockholm to a Swedish mother and a French father, a diplomat whose postings kept the family moving, and he collects contemporary photography. Benoît Verdier was born in Provence and has a taste for contemporary art and 1980s design. The name is Latin for out of nothing.
02
Carte blanche for the perfumer
The house gives its perfumers carte blanche, with no creative constraints. Jordi Fernández composed Gold Immortals, Blue Talisman, Outcast Blue and The Hedonist, and he also signs the extrait of each: agarwood deepens the base of Outcast Blue Extrait, while lychee and grapefruit sit over patchouli in The Hedonist Extrait. Quentin Bisch composed Fleur Narcotique, and the extrait version is his own reading of it.
03
Made in France, finished by hand
Most of the range is produced in France. At the Saint-Honoré and François 1er stores in Paris, the Osmologue, a blending system Sylvie Loday conceived, lets clients adjust a scent with raw materials such as Grasse rose de mai, French iris pallida, Indian jasmine, Moroccan orange blossom and Madagascar vanilla. These made-to-order Signature fragrances are weighed, filtered and bottled by hand, and bottle caps come in mother of pearl, onyx or buffalo horn, with engraving on request.
Who founded Ex Nihilo?
Ex Nihilo was founded by Sylvie Loday, Olivier Royère and Benoît Verdier.
Where is Ex Nihilo based?
Ex Nihilo is based in Paris, France.
When was Ex Nihilo founded?
Ex Nihilo was founded in 2013.
Who composed the Ex Nihilo fragrances we carry?
Jordi Fernández, Quentin Bisch.