Open a bottle of perfume. Read the label. You are looking for an indication: "for her," "for him." You won't find it. Out of 199 perfumes in our catalogue as of September 20, 2026, 191 are declared unisex. Only four carry the mention "rather feminine." Only one claims to be masculine. This silence on gender is not an oversight — it is a deliberate choice of niche perfumery.
While mass-market retail has organized perfumes by gendered aisles for a century, niche perfumery asks a more relevant question: who does this perfume truly suit? The answer lies in the skin, the personality, the notes one loves or rejects. Not the gender. This is what our catalogue reveals — and what profoundly changes the way of choosing.
From our selection of 199 skin perfumes in the catalogue, here is what the data says: 191 are marked unisex, 4 rather feminine, 2 feminine, and only 1 masculine. One product page remains without an indication. This imbalance is not a deficiency — it is the expression of a conviction.
To understand this figure, one must go back to the reason why traditional perfumery invented genders. In the 19th century, fashion and luxury houses segmented the market to make it readable to a customer who had become a consumer. The more expensive the fragrance, the more the price had to be justified by a clear narrative: this perfume was "for women" or "for men." It was an act of marketing before it was an olfactory reality.
Niche perfumery has broken with this pattern. Its creators — the noses that populate our selection — think differently. They ask questions without pre-packaged answers: Does this perfume tell a story? Does it invite an emotion, a season, a moment? Does it rely on notes that certain types of skin particularly love? These are the real questions. The gender of the person wearing it becomes accessory.
In our product pages, you will encounter revealing formulations. Some perfumes are described as follows: "a perfume of character, not of gender." Others display nuances such as "rather feminine in intention" for a creator who wanted to explore powdery elegance, but who knows that anyone who loves this sensation can wear it. It is a new kind of honesty: admitting that intentions exist (white flowers will often be close to the historical feminine universe) while clearly stating that they are not borders.
Offering a perfume therefore becomes a simpler and bolder gesture at the same time. Do you know the olfactory tastes of the person? Do you know if they love citrus, woody, or amber notes? Do you know the season they live in? Do you know if they prefer a subtle or present sillage? You can then choose without wondering if the color pink puts you on the "wrong side." A man can love tuberose, a woman raw vetiver. Niche perfumery knows this, and its product pages reflect it.
When a perfume truly "leans"—when the notes or the intention compose a universe that is very feminine or very masculine by tradition—our product pages say so with carefully chosen words. "Rather feminine" for Rose Cannelle means: this creator thought of the codes of femininity, of rose, of warm spices, of classic elegance. But she knows it: it is a perfume for skins and hearts that will love this universe, regardless of gender. It is to the credit of niche perfumery to clarify this without lying.
And Mr Vetiver? This provocative name — Mr rather than Monsieur, casual, modern — claims it from the outset: it is a raw, aromatic, fougère vetiver, the kind of perfume that inhabits the traditional masculine imagination. Yet, it remains unisex. Why? Because wearing a raw fougère vetiver can be a statement for anyone: it is a noble material, a strong olfactory signature. The creator's intention is embodied in the name, not in a prohibition against seducing anyone.
Six perfumes in the catalogue embody this change in perspective. Two have kept a feminine or masculine label, but these are also invitations rather than prohibitions. The other four claim to be unisex while carrying a very clear intention. Together, they tell a story: that of a perfumery that refuses to compartmentalize desire.
Un Bel Amour d'Été – PARFUM D'EMPIRE
Eau de Parfum — Gardenia, champaca & ylang. Feminine.
A direct invitation to the universe of white flowers, solar, sensually feminine. Yet the gesture of Parfum d'Empire remains lucid: it is a perfume for skins that love this floral richness, this generous sillage, this tropical warmth.
Rose Cannelle – LA CLOSERIE DES PARFUMS
Eau de Parfum — Oriental rose. Rather feminine.
The nuance "rather feminine" honors the intention: a spicy, oriental rose, powdery warmth. But it recognizes that intentions are not destinies.
Délicieusement Tendre – HAROLD & MAUDE
Eau de Parfum — Amber, floral & peach. Rather feminine.
Amber and fruity softness, gourmand. The intention is clearly on the feminine side of classic codes. Unisex nonetheless, because tenderness has no gender.
Mr Vetiver – UNE NUIT NOMADE
Eau de Parfum — Aromatic, fougère, vetiver. Unisex.
A raw vetiver, a crisp fougère. The name says: it is a perfume for a gentleman — in the sense of classic intention. But the label says: it is for anyone who loves this signature.
Philosykos – DIPTYQUE
Eau de Parfum — Fig & woody. Unisex.
Raw fig, woody accord, green, almost raw. Neither feminine nor masculine — a material, a season, an emotion independent of gender.
Portrait of a Lady – FRÉDÉRIC MALLE
Eau de Parfum — Rose absolute & sandalwood. Unisex.
Rich, sandalwood, sensual rose. The title suggests a classic feminine narrative. The unisex label changes the meaning: it is a portrait, not a prescription.
Explore our entire selection of unisex perfumes and discover the one that matches your skin and your tastes, without gender boundaries. Browse niche perfumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a unisex perfume?
A unisex perfume is a perfume intended for anyone, regardless of their gender. It is based on an olfactory creation whose notes and intention transcend historical categories. Most niche perfumes are unisex: this approach recognizes that noble materials — a vetiver, a rose, a tuberose — belong to everyone.
Can a women's perfume be worn by a man?
Yes. The label "feminine" or "rather feminine" on a product page signals a creative intention or a predominance of classically feminine notes (white flowers, rose, gourmand fruits). It does not forbid it to anyone. Niche perfumery has gradually abandoned these boundaries precisely because they did not correspond to anything real: olfactory desire is not divided by gender.
How do you choose a perfume when you don't know the tastes of the person you want to give it to?
Ask questions about what fascinates you: the seasons they love, the materials that touch them (woody, floral, fruity?), their preferred sillage (subtle or generous?). These criteria matter infinitely more than gender. An olfactory diagnosis in the boutique can also guide you towards the perfume that will truly fit.
Are all niche perfumes unisex?
No. Some carry a very strong intention or narrative: an ultra-floral white perfume, a raw vetiver, a composition that is hyper-masculine by its codes. But even those are declared unisex: this is the recognition that the intention is not a prohibition. The real question is: "Does it correspond to my sense of smell?", not "Is it for my gender?"