The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Exquise emerged from Parfums de la Bastide's commitment to translating Provençal landscapes into wearable form. Founded in 2014 in Aix-en-Provence, the house draws inspiration from the region's sensory landscape. Italian mandarin provides bright, almost sparkling quality alongside the fig's depth. The fig appears with its leaf intact, bringing vegetal character. The result captures the experience of the whole plant, the air carrying the scent of the plant rather than isolated sweetness. This is a fragrance that feels less like a product and more like an impression: the warmth of a Provençal afternoon, the sensory moments of a countryside upbringing, the fig in its full complexity.
The fig leaf serves as a structural element throughout Exquise's development. Its bitter, green, almost herbal character stays present from opening through drydown. This sustained presence shapes the composition's trajectory. The tart brightness of blackcurrant accompanies the green opening, while peach blossom adds natural floral sweetness. The Bourbon vanilla and cedar settle in to provide warmth and depth in the base notes.
The evolution
On skin, Exquise opens with immediate green clarity. The fig leaf arrives first, that bitter, vegetal edge cutting through before the fruit itself has fully opened. Italian mandarin zest flashes briefly, a moment of citrus brightness before blackcurrant and peach blossom arrive to soften things. The heart develops with the tartness of blackcurrant becoming more pronounced alongside the peach blossom's natural floral sweetness. The fig itself opens up gradually, its milky sweetness appearing more than its honeyed notes. The base begins to assert itself as Bourbon vanilla emerges, not as a dominant force but as a subtle warmth that evens out the composition. Cedar arrives next, providing woody depth. The fig leaf persists throughout, its herbal quality now cushioned by vanilla's softness and cedar's weight.
Cultural impact
Exquise takes a distinctive approach to the fig fragrance category. Rather than emphasizing the fruit's creamy, sweet qualities, this fragrance foregrounds the leaf's bitter, almost herbal character. This creates a more complex, botanical experience that appeals to those seeking depth in a fig composition. The fragrance doesn't announce itself but rewards close attention, making it suitable for wearers who appreciate nuanced, persistent scent profiles.
