The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
BOIS D'YLANG combines ylang-ylang and tuberose, both heady, almost aggressive florals that are lush, tropical, and indolic. Alone, they'd be overwhelming. The name says it: BOIS (wood) D'YLANG (ylang-ylang). Sandalwood provides the warm, creamy presence that balances these intense florals, making them wearable. This is Nonfiction's Flowers Collection, taking bold materials and presenting them with full conviction. The fragrance invites you to experience tropical florals at their most expressive, anchored by woody warmth.
The note pyramid is short by design. Ylang-ylang brings tropical sweetness, banana-flower. Tuberose adds creaminess and that characteristic indolic edge that can veer medicinal if unchecked. Sandalwood works to temper this, its warmth preventing the florals from becoming too sharp. Blonde woods round out the base with a lighter, more modern woodiness. The combination avoids excess, keeping the focus on the interplay between the tropical florals and their woody counterpoint.
The evolution
The opening arrives bright and tropical. Ylang-ylang announces itself first, that banana-flower sweetness, clean and immediate. Within minutes, tuberose enters, lush and heady, almost medicinal in its intensity before sandalwood catches it. Sandalwood becomes the visible layer, wrapping everything in warmth. The drydown settles into something quieter but not weaker. Sandalwood lingers, skin-close and warm, occasionally revealing a trace of ylang-ylang if you press your wrist to your nose. The payoff is consistency that rewards patience over spectacle.
Cultural impact
Nonfiction's Flowers Collection explores specific emotional territories through bold floral materials. BOIS D'YLANG presents ylang-ylang and tuberose with full intensity, anchored by sandalwood's warm presence. The result is a bold floral that doesn't compromise on its tropical character. For those seeking floral intensity without apology, this is that rare thing: a fragrance that commits fully to its vision.
The House
NonfictionNonfiction is a South Korean fragrance, beauty, and lifestyle brand founded in 2019 by Cha Haeyoung. Headquartered in Seoul, the company emerged from Cha's background in art curation and fashion, launching as an antidote to the accelerating pace of modern life. The name reflects its core philosophy: an homage to the quiet, intimate stories that ground everyday experience. Rather than promising escape or transformation, Nonfiction offers scent as a vehicle for presence and recognition. The brand produces atmospheric fragrances inspired by specific memories, moments, and sensory impressions, presenting them through minimal retail environments designed to encourage slower, more intentional engagement. In 2025, Nonfiction opened its first North American location in New York City, marking a significant step in its international expansion.
The Creator
Dominique RopionDominique Ropion’s style is characterized by its opulence and sophistication. He's a master of layering and creating rich, complex accords.
