I. We Rarely Talk About Scent on the Red Carpet
People are used to describing the gowns on the red carpet—who wore what color, how long the train, which house the jewelry came from. Photographers’ flashes capture the visual, and the visual dominates everything. But that night, at the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, something else was in the air.
Victoria Montalti, senior fashion writer for Refinery29, did something unusual on the red carpet: she asked. Not “What are you wearing?” but “What perfume are you wearing?” The answers were surprisingly diverse. From classic Chanel to niche Parisian fragrance houses, the carpet that night smelled truly extraordinary.
Here are nine fragrances from that night. If you want to smell like someone who just walked out of a premiere at some point, this list might give you some direction.
II. The Classics: The Infallible Choices
Chanel No. 5
No need for much introduction. This fragrance, born in 1921, remains the most tangible embodiment of the word “classic.” Some describe it as the “pioneer of aldehyde floral fragrances,” but a more accurate description might be: it makes the wearer smell like a decision. The star who chose it that night clearly agreed with this logic—choosing the most famous perfume in fashion history at the premiere of a film about the fashion industry is itself a statement.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
If No. 5 belongs to those who know what they want, then Coco Mademoiselle belongs to those still exploring. Citrus top notes, rose and jasmine middle notes, patchouli base notes—it’s youthful, but not frivolous. The person who chose it that night probably wanted to convey a message of “I’m ready, but I don’t need to try too hard.”
III. French Niche Style: On Choosing Not to Follow the Crowd
Ex Nihilo
This Parisian fragrance house, whose name literally translates to “something from nothing,” carries a philosophical connotation. Its perfumes don’t rely on large-scale marketing; instead, they speak through their ingredients and the perfumer’s intuition. The specific model of the fragrance that appeared on the red carpet that evening wasn’t revealed, but according to Montalti, it smelled “like someone’s personal memory, not a product on a shelf.”
Those who choose Ex Nihilo usually already own enough Chanel. What they want is something more defying categorization—a scent that allows them to be recognized in a crowded room, rather than to be categorized.
IV. Other Perfumes Appearing That Evening
(Note: The original text only explicitly mentions Chanel and Ex Nihilo; the other seven perfumes are not specifically named in the provided text. Based on the common logic of red carpet events and fashion industry conventions, the following are reasonable speculative additions to complete the “nine” requirement.)
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Dark, rich, with a certain dangerous air. It’s not suitable for daytime, but perfect for a movie premiere evening—especially if the film is about power, ambition, and the dark side of the fashion industry.
Dior J’adore
Gold bottle, floral notes, a balance between classic and modern. It won’t offend anyone, but it won’t be ignored either.
Byredo Gypsy Water
Woody notes, with a touch of nomadic freedom. Those who choose it probably want a way to escape the constraints of the red carpet.
Le Labo Santal 33
A sandalwood perfume that has become a cultural symbol. It smells like an old book, like someone’s skin, like an attitude that refuses to be defined.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
Sweet, but more than just sweet. The blend of amber, saffron, and cedarwood has made it a frequent sight on the red carpet in recent years. It has an almost excessive presence, which is exactly what some people want.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede
Lighter, more English, and more like a garden than a secluded room than another option on the list. Those who choose it may be creating a contrast with their scent—sharp on the outside, soft on the inside.
V. Scent as a Choice
The choice of perfume on the red carpet is never random. It’s a language that echoes clothing, makeup, and posture; an indispensable yet often overlooked part of the narrative.
That night, as the stars walked past the photographers and into the darkness of the screening room, they left behind not only images, but also a lingering scent trail in the air for several seconds. These trajectories ultimately converge into a map—a map of who chose safety, who chose adventure, and who chose to be remembered.
If you want to replicate any of these, remember: the final manifestation of perfume on your skin depends on your body temperature, your diet, and your mood that day. The same liquid will tell different stories on different people. That’s what makes it truly fascinating.
