Kilian Hennessy Previews Scents at Saks

Kilian Hennessy didn't want to do our interview for "In a Bottle" this morning inside the private Saks Fifth Avenue Club. Instead, the charming Parisian swept me out to the fragrance floor at Saks Fifth Avenue Somerset Collection, so we could see, touch, and, most importantly, smell his creations.

Kilian, the famous French cognac heir and grandson of the founder of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group, spent the day at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Troy, Mich., to promote his line of luxury perfumes.

Kilian introduced his first fragrance in 2007, and became known for his 10-scent opus on love, L'oeuvre Noire ("Black Masterpiece"), which explores themes of passion, temptation and spiritual awakening. The scent concepts, carried out by Perfumer Calice Becker, are dark and complex, with references to myth, poetry and redemption.

Each of the 10 scents is available in a 1.7 oz. bottle ($225), 1 oz. travel spray ($135), candle ($85) and limited-edition perfume solid in a mirrored black compact ($50).

During his mini Saks tour, Kilian also is sharing sneak spritzes of his newest "Asian Tales" collection, set for nationwide launch in May.

Water Calligraphy for women has top notes of reseda accord, water lilies and grapefruit oil; a heart of magnolia and jasmine samba; and base notes of cardamom, vetiver and silvanone. Bamboo Harmony for men opens with bergamot, bigarade and neroli; evolves through mimosa, pepper and white tea leaves; and settles into a base of mate oil, fig leaves and oak moss. Red satin, tassels and a good luck coin add to the Asian homage. "They appeal to the senses as much as the mind," Kilian said. "I created them to be about serenity and spirituality."

Although Kilian's perfumes are diverse, there's one thing which unifies them: Luxury. Their rich packaging is meant to be treasured, never disposed of, Kilian said. All his bottles are refillable, and come nestled amidst satin in sturdy wooden boxes that lock with a key.

"You don't throw away luxury. You just can't," he said. "The bottle you buy will be with you all your life."

Making his fragrances even more collectible, Kilian is signing bottles at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Troy, Mich. through 5 p.m. today. He continues his mini-Saks tour at the Tysons Corner location in Washington D.C. on Friday; and in Mexico City on Monday.