The Heritage
The Story of Les Liquides Imaginaires
Les Liquides Imaginaires treats perfume as a sacred, transformative substance, moving beyond simple scent to create olfactory stories rooted in mythology and symbolism. It’s a house for those who believe fragrance can be a key to another world, a form of liquid magic.
Heritage
The story of Les Liquides Imaginaires begins not in a lab, but in a Parisian art gallery. In 2011, designer Philippe Di Méo presented an olfactory installation that featured fragrances meant to evoke the sacred, mystical, and carnal. The response was so powerful that he partnered with fragrance industry expert David Frossard to turn the concept into a full-fledged perfume house, officially launching in 2012. The house was born from a desire to return perfume to its original, almost magical state: a tool for transformation, communication, and spiritual connection. Their first collection, the 'Trilogie des Eaux-Delà', set the tone with scents named Sancti, Fortis, and Tumultu. This debut immediately established their reputation for high-concept perfumery that challenges and enthralls.
Craftsmanship
To bring their abstract ideas to life, Philippe Di Méo and David Frossard collaborate with some of the industry's most talented perfumers. They work with artists like Louise Turner, Quentin Bisch, Anne-Sophie Behaghel, and Amélie Bourgeois, among others. The founders give these creators a concept, a story, or a symbol and provide them the freedom to interpret it with the finest raw materials available. The focus is always on translating a powerful narrative into a scent, resulting in compositions that are often bold, complex, and unapologetically distinctive. They don't chase trends; they build olfactory worlds from high-quality ingredients sourced through major fragrance producers like Givaudan.
Design Language
The visual identity of Les Liquides Imaginaires is as considered as its fragrances. Every bottle is a modern take on the ancient amphora, a vessel historically used to hold precious liquids like wine, oil, or sacred perfumes. This shape immediately connects the contents to something valuable and timeless. The heavy, dark glass bottles are topped with custom-designed caps that often reflect the theme of the trilogy, from a simple silver cap to a detailed horse head for the 'Eaux de Peau' collection. The packaging is minimalist yet weighty, using textured black boxes and symbolic logos that feel more like artifacts from an alchemist's study than standard perfume containers.
Philosophy
At its core, Les Liquides Imaginaires believes perfume is a substance for the imagination. Each fragrance is a key, designed to unlock new states of being, memories, or fantasies. The house's creative process is driven by powerful symbols and universal archetypes, from the sacred wines of the gods to the untamed nature of mythical beasts. They organize their creations into thematic trilogies, allowing them to explore a single concept from three different olfactory perspectives. This isn't just about smelling good; it's about using scent to alter your perception and pass from the material world to an imaginary one.
Key Milestones
2011
Designer Philippe Di Méo presents his first olfactory art installation at Rives de la Beauté in Paris.
2012
The brand officially launches in partnership with co-founder David Frossard.
2013
The first trilogy, 'Trilogie des Eaux-Delà' (Sancti, Fortis, Tumultu), is released.
2013
The 'Trilogie des Eaux Sanguines' (Dom Rosa, Bloody Wood, Bello Rabelo) is launched, exploring the theme of sacred wines.
2021
Blanche Bête is released, quickly becoming a cult favorite for its unique milky, musky scent.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
France
Founded
2012
Heritage
14
Years active
Collection
1
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
3.9
Community sentiment