Scent can transport us to another time with an immediacy that photographs and familiar places sometimes cannot. Psychologists refer to this as the Proust effect, named after French novelist Marcel Proust, whose famous madeleine dipped in tea triggered a vivid recollection of childhood.
The term describes the way an odour can evoke autobiographical memories, bringing long-forgotten details back into consciousness. It might be the familiar fragrance of jasmine that takes you back to your grandmother’s garden, or a stranger passing by whose perfume recalls a lover you thought you had long forgotten. Whatever the memory, scent has an undeniable command. Among our senses, smell has a notably intimate relationship with memory and emotion, capable of bringing the past into the present with crystal clarity. Perhaps this is why we so often hear that scent is deeply personal.
Precisely for this reason, fragrances make for one of the most thoughtful gifts, especially when they’re bespoke. Notes like green tea could recall afternoons spent together, while roses might pay homage to the flowers that adorned a cherished occasion.
At MY ONLY FRAGRANCE, patrons are encouraged to explore a curated selection of scents, consult fragrance experts, and discover combinations that reflect their preferences. The process is much like ordering a cocktail, with each blend prepared on the spot and adjusted until it feels just right. Though, for those who prefer to leave the mixing to the experts, MY ONLY FRAGRANCE also offers a selection of ready-made scents. Distinct from the familiar names that tend to grace most dressing tables, these fragrances retain a sense of individuality, offering something a little less expected for those who appreciate a scent with its own character.
Its Bangkok outposts are the brand’s only locations outside Japan, making it an appealing destination for fragrance enthusiasts from neighbouring countries, too.
We visited MY ONLY FRAGRANCE’s flagship boutique at Suanluang Square to experience their bespoke service for ourselves. Our introduction began with a consultation with a fragrance specialist, who walked us through the process, explaining what to expect at each stage.
Before we could begin our olfactory explorations, we were handed a pen and paper, ready to note down the numbers of our favourite scents. The boutique houses more than 40 fragrance options imported from Kyoto, displayed across two scent-testing stations at either end of the space. First, we were asked about the fragrance families that tend to catch our attention, from fruity and citrusy compositions to marine, aromatic, leathery and gourmand accords. Personally, I have always had a weakness for gourmand fragrances; creamy and sweet compositions have a way of drawing me in.
With our preferences established, we made our way to the scent stations and began sampling the selection, one spritz at a time. There was plenty to explore, but we gravitated towards sugary notes, soft musks, and creamy accords, jotting down our favourites as we went. Once our shortlist was complete, we handed it back to our fragrance specialist, who gathered the chosen scents and sprayed them onto testing strips in equal proportions for us to assess.
Our specialist invited us to consider which notes deserved a little more attention. Did we want a particular scent to stand out, or would we prefer a more delicate balance? We opted for a more pronounced gourmand character, tempered with an airy softness to keep the sweetness from becoming too rich. The proportions were adjusted until the composition felt harmonious.
Once we were satisfied with our blend, it was time to turn our attention to the bottle. MY ONLY FRAGRANCE offers a 50 ml bottle for THB 2,500 and a 100 ml option for THB 3,000. The finishing touches are yours to decide, too, with gold or silver lids to choose from.
We opted for the 100 ml bottle with a silver lid, then moved on to another rather charming detail: naming our creation. You can select the font for your fragrance label, giving your finished perfume its own identity, making the experience especially appealing for gifting or as a little present to oneself.
With the details settled, our fragrance specialist stepped into the role of a mixologist, measuring and blending our chosen notes before testing the composition to ensure it was just right. Watching the fragrance take shape lent the experience a certain theatre.
The label was then prepared for our approval, allowing us to check its appearance before it was printed and the bottle packaged. We named it Kashmir Silk, a fitting title for a clean and creamy composition with an airy finish, smooth against the senses and light enough to feel almost cloud-like.
Beyond bespoke blending, MY ONLY FRAGRANCE presents an extensive collection of ready-made fragrances, offering unique compositions for all preferences.
Among its most popular are No. 40, Cowboy, and No. 46, Black Peony. A best-seller among male customers, Cowboy pairs woody and leathery notes for a gentlemanly character. Black Peony, meanwhile, is a female favourite, balancing fresh florals with the warm finish of sandalwood. Both eau de parfums are available in 10 ml (THB 800), 50 ml (THB 2,000) and 100 ml (THB 2,700).
Thailand is presently MY ONLY FRAGRANCE’s only overseas market outside Japan, with further opportunities to discover its collection at pop-ups in Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Emporium and ICONSIAM.
Flagship store: Suanluang Square,
Operating hours: 10 AM to 8 PM daily.
Instagram: @myonlyfragrance_bangkok
Facebook: @MYONLYFRAGRANCEBangkok