EX NIHILO at Harrods: an elegant celebration of modern perfumery
Yesterday, the EX NIHILO boutique at Harrods hosted an intimate meeting with the founders of the Parisian fragrance house – Sylvie Loday and Olivier Royère. Guests were invited to discover the brand’s fragrances, sample key compositions and have bottles personally signed by the creators. The atmosphere was festive yet elegant: glasses of champagne circulated among visitors as they explored the scents.
The Parisian fragrance house EX NIHILO rarely follows conventional rules. Founded in 2013 by Sylvie Loday, Olivier Royère and Benoît Verdier, the brand was created with a simple but ambitious idea — to reinvent luxury perfumery from scratch. Its Latin name literally means “out of nothing,” reflecting the desire to build a perfume house free from traditional industry constraints. From the beginning, the trio positioned the brand within the world of niche perfumery, combining classic French craftsmanship with a contemporary, avant-garde spirit. EX NIHILO uses exceptional ingredients while also experimenting with new technologies and personalised fragrance experiences.
At Harrods, the brand occupies an elegant space within the prestigious Salon de Parfums. The boutique reflects the house’s aesthetic: minimalism and quiet luxury. The bottles, with their clean pharmacy-style design and heavy gold caps, are displayed almost like collectible objects.
Among the compositions presented were two of EX NIHILO’s most recognisable fragrances. Blue Talisman, launched in 2023, opens with bright notes of pear, bergamot and citrus, followed by a delicate heart of orange blossom before gradually settling into warm musky and woody accords. The result is a luminous, modern scent – fresh yet with a subtle sensual depth.
Another highlight was Fleur Narcotique, one of the brand’s signature fragrances. It opens with notes of lychee, bergamot and peach, followed by a soft floral heart of peony, jasmine and orange blossom. The base is built on musk and light woods. The fragrance combines airy freshness with a slightly “captivating” floral sweetness – elegant yet playful.
The event itself felt like a private gathering of perfume enthusiasts: a rare opportunity to meet the people behind one of the most talked-about names in contemporary niche perfumery.
We spoke with the brand’s co-founder, Sylvie Loday:
Today we took the opportunity, together with Olivier Royère, to come to London to meet our community, our clients and people who are passionate about fragrances. We do this regularly, and we have been present at Harrods for almost 12 years – it has been a long and wonderful partnership. Here you can find a full collection of EX NIHILO exclusives.
What would you recommend today – are there any special choices for spring and summer?
One fragrance I enjoy wearing in summer is Fleur Narcotique. It is a floral scent with notes of peony, rose and musk that creates a very comfortable feeling on the skin.
And also Lust in Paradise: we are launching a new Extra version in less than a month, and it is absolutely stunning for summer. We added brighter, more joyful notes to the original composition. Lust in Paradise is inspired by the Riviera – it has a very sparkling, sunny, light and joyful mood. I would recommend these two fragrances.
Will there be a special event for the launch of the new Lust in Paradise?
Yes! Right at the entrance on Brompton Road there will be a pop-up throughout the entire month of May, and we will host an event in May or June to introduce the new Lust in Paradise Extra version.
