Frederic Malle Frédéric Malle en Passant

When Frédéric Malle launched Editions de Parfums in 2000, he did so with the radical premise of putting the perfumer's name on the bottle, treating them as authors. Among the initial lineup was En Passant, a fragrance that has since become a benchmark for the floral category. Created by Olivia Giacobetti, the scent is an exercise in restraint and evocative storytelling, designed to capture the scent of white lilacs caught in a breeze on a rainy day in Paris. En Passant, which translates to 'In Passing,' is not a traditional perfume that announces one’s presence with a heavy trail. Instead, it is an atmospheric composition that mimics the way we experience scent in the real world—fleeting, natural, and deeply tied to the environment. It remains one of the most respected soliflores in modern perfumery, specifically for its realistic portrayal of a flower that is notoriously difficult to extract naturally. In this review, we examine why En Passant remains a staple in the luxury fragrance world over two decades after its release. From its unique use of a wheat note to its refreshing cucumber opening, we break down the technical brilliance of Giacobetti’s work and evaluate its place in a contemporary fragrance wardrobe.