Niche perfumery offers an alternative to mass-market perfumery. At MATIERE PREMIERE, this approach takes on a unique dimension: each creation is born from a natural raw material cultivated by the perfumer themselves. An invitation to discover a direct, radical approach to perfumery, composed of 85% to 92% ingredients of natural origin.
What is a niche perfume?
Niche perfume enthusiasts associate this term with several elements: the emphasis placed on raw materials, the originality of the compositions, a recognisable olfactory signature, the creativity and expertise of the perfumers, premium quality, and a distinct sillage and intensity. Niche perfumery places raw materials and authenticity at the heart of its creations and occupies a unique place on the global perfumery scene.
Niche perfumes are aimed at enthusiasts of distinctive scents, seeking a fragrance that reflects their personality. This quest for originality offers an alternative to mass-market products and mass advertising. Exclusivity stems less from price than from the desire to offer extraordinary compositions.
MATIERE PREMIERE embodies these expectations. Each of the house’s fragrances is built around a central natural raw material, brought to the fore to offer an immediate signature upon application.
The MATIERE PREMIERE vision: a direct, natural niche perfumery
The MATIERE PREMIERE style is based on four principles: a central natural ingredient used in abundance, a minimalist formulation, an immediate and long-lasting signature, and uncompromising quality.
The compositions reveal the ingredient as it truly is. The result is a distinct niche fragrance that expresses itself with intensity and lingers for a long time on both the skin and clothing. To understand this philosophy, discover the approach that guides every creation by the house.
The MATIERE PREMIERE universe is built up across the collections with a clear focus: to reveal the character of the finest natural ingredients. This attention to the raw materials sets the house apart on the French niche perfumery scene.
Aurélien Guichard, Founder & Perfumer
Aurélien Guichard creates every MATIERE PREMIERE fragrance. The Perfumer personally cultivates three raw materials in the Grasse region, on Ecocert-certified plots of land. The harvests from these fields are used exclusively in the house’s compositions.
The choice of essences follows an olfactory logic. The terroir, the extraction methods and the work of the artisans who cultivate or extract each ingredient determine the final result of the fragrance. The selection is based on what the ingredient brings to the fragrance, rather than on its status. This direct link between the land and the bottle has been part of the house’s history since 2016.
Niche perfumes composed of 85% to 92% of natural ingredients
MATIERE PREMIERE perfumes contain between 85% and 92% of natural ingredients. The formulas are vegan, phthalate-free and free from artificial colourants. This information is included on every product page and reflects a commitment to offering products that are gentle on the skin.
The generous use of a central essence creates a distinctive sillage and remarkable intensity, whilst maintaining this level of naturalness in high-end perfumery.
Raw materials at the heart of our creations
Every MATIERE PREMIERE niche fragrance begins with the selection of a raw material. Its terroir, growing conditions and method of extraction define its olfactory character.
Among the ingredients that make up the house’s universe are: vanilla from Madagascar, saffron from Greece, rose from Grasse, ambrette seed, frankincense from Oman, sandalwood from Australia and citron from Sicily. Each ingredient is selected by the perfumer for its olfactory profile, in close collaboration with the artisans who cultivate it. The rose from Grasse, for example, offers floral notes of incomparable richness, whilst saffron brings spicy and luminous accents. Each ingredient tells a story – that of its origin and the expertise of the producers who cultivate it.
Discover the collection by fragrance family
The MATIERE PREMIERE niche fragrance collection comprises Eau de Parfums and Extraits de Parfum, each crafted to inspire love at first scent.
Eaux de Parfum
Discover our Eaux de parfum, including bestsellers such as Vanilla Powder, Crystal Saffron and Radical Rose. Eaux de parfum have a concentration of between 20% and 25%. They offer a rich sillage and a longevity suitable for everyday wear.
Extraits de Parfum
For greater intensity, discover our concentrated Extraits de Parfum. These creations have a concentration of between 25% and 30%. The heart note is denser, the texture more pronounced, and the sillage longer-lasting.
Fragrance families
From woody scents to floral compositions, from spicy notes to musky fragrances, each perfume in the collection reveals its own distinctive character. Fruits, flowers, woods and resins come together in creations designed to inspire love at first scent. Each fragrance showcases a single key ingredient, crafted in overdose to reveal its purest and most captivating expression.
Unisex niche fragrances, without a predefined gender
At MATIERE PREMIERE, fragrances have no gender. They are neither for men nor for women: they are for those who wear them. This unisex approach reflects a vision of perfumery free from traditional conventions.
The personality of the wearer matters more than marketing categories. A niche fragrance adapts to the skin, develops differently on each individual and becomes a unique signature. This olfactory freedom appeals to enthusiasts in search of originality.
How to choose your niche perfume?
To find your next favourite amongst our creations, there are several options available to you. Discovery sets and samples allow you to try out several fragrances before ordering a full-size bottle.
Our team is on hand to guide you through your selection. Delivery and returns are easy to manage via our customer service line. Add your favourites to your basket, explore the list of upcoming events and let your olfactory preferences guide you.
The bottle should be stored away from light and temperature fluctuations. These conditions help preserve the quality and stability of the formula.
When applying the fragrance to the skin, target warm areas: the inside of the wrists, the base of the neck and the crooks of the elbows. Well-moisturised skin retains the fragrance better and prolongs its trail. The MATIERE PREMIERE range of moisturisers and cleansers prepares the skin to receive the essence and helps the fragrance last throughout the day. The Hand & Body Wash, for example, prolongs the fragrance’s presence whilst protecting the skin. Thanks to this routine, the olfactory notes of each composition are expressed to the full.
MATIERE PREMIERE fragrances can also be applied to clothing. The fragrance settles on the fabric and releases a trail that lingers as the garment is worn. It is advisable to test the fragrance on an inconspicuous area first when using it on delicate fabrics.
