Classical French perfumery in bust topped flacons, taken by the pour.
MDCI treats perfumery the way a private collector treats a cellar, quietly commissioning some of the most respected noses in the craft and refusing to rush a formula. Every release feels composed rather than churned out, all polished construction and old world confidence.
- Origin Paris, France
- Founded 2003
- Known for Chypre Palatin, Invasion Barbare
- Here 3 fragrances
- Founder
- Claude Marchal
- Concept
- Commissioned perfumes under sculpted-bust stoppers
- Made in
- Concentrates in Cabris, France; finished by hand
01
Claude Marchal and a family of three
Claude Marchal was born in Alexandria, spent time at the École des Beaux-Arts and built a business career that took him to Dassault before he turned to perfume. The idea began in 1994 with his family's collection of antiques; the house followed in 2003, named MDCI for Marchal Dessins et Créations Indépendantes. It is still three people: Marchal, his wife and their youngest daughter, and every bottle passes through his hands.
02
Perfumers given a free hand
Marchal commissions established perfumers and leaves them full creative freedom, turning away most of what reaches him. MDCI Ambre Topkapi, the first release, is by Pierre Bourdon. Stéphanie Bakouche wrote MDCI Invasion Barbare, grapefruit and cardamom over patchouli, vanilla and musk. Francis Kurkdjian composed MDCI Enlèvement au Sérail, a floral oriental of tuberose, sambac jasmine and sandalwood. Bertrand Duchaufour's MDCI Chypre Palatin sets hyacinth and galbanum over castoreum, leather, styrax and oakmoss.
03
Busts from the Galerie d'Apollon
The concentrates are made at Art et Parfum in Cabris, the laboratory Edmond Roudnitska founded. Bottling, finishing and packing happen in the family workshop, capped at a few thousand pieces a year. The classic 75 ml flacon is a cylindrical plinth under a sculpted bust stopper, drawn from Renaissance treasures in the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon, the Uffizi and Vienna's Schatzkammer. A 100 ml Silk Road line borrows Iznik patterns in 18 carat gold or platinum.
Who founded MDCI?
MDCI was founded by Claude Marchal.
Where is MDCI based?
MDCI is based in Paris, France.
When was MDCI founded?
MDCI was founded in 2003.
Who composed the MDCI fragrances we carry?
Bertrand Duchaufour, Francis Kurkdjian, Stéphanie Bakouche.