Per Sē
Named for the Latin “by itself”, this eau de parfum is 27 87’s calling card in scent: the clear brightness of aldehydes and violet leaves, settled by powdery orris and quiet musk.
Perfumer: Shyamala Maisondieu
Per Sē takes its name from the Latin for “by itself”. 27 87 presents it as its own scent identity. The house describes it as a translation of its core belief, that there is no scent like the present, and calls it an olfactive logo.
The official pyramid opens with violet leaves, pink and black pepper and aldehydes. The green, slightly damp feel of violet foliage meets the dry, white brightness of aldehydes, and the pepper adds only a light prickle, so the opening reads clean and nearly colourless. At the heart sit bamboo, orris butter and a floral bouquet. The bamboo keeps a straight green line while the orris butter brings a soft, powdery coolness, and the flowers seem to bind the composition rather than lead it. The base of angelica root, ambrette seeds and musk receives that brightness gently: the root’s earthy, faintly bitter edge is softened by the skin-like warmth of ambrette and musk.
Its creators say they aimed for something that keeps shifting while its core holds steady. In keeping with the brand’s idea of the achromatic, the scent works in shades of white and grey instead of colouring itself in with sweetness or opulent florals. It suits days of clean, pared-back dressing, when a single spray is meant to define your outline rather than compete with it.
