Aromatic sage, coriander and black pepper combine with mandarin and lemon for laid-back sophistication. Vetiver and musk give it muscle, while orris provides lean, refined woodiness.
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is the scent of someone who likes their presence neat but not polished to the point of stiffness: a crisp shirt, open windows, a quick stride through the city, and a dry, peppery trail that feels intelligent rather than loud. It suits close conversation and a calm, self-possessed mood.
How to wear
Best in mild to cool weather, where its citrus, sage and spice stay bright without turning sharp. Apply two to four sprays for a clean, moderate sillage; on skin it reads fresh and woody, while in the air the pepper and cedar give it a leaner, more structured edge.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like aromatic citrus scents with a dry, modern backbone. It will appeal to those who prefer clean woods, restrained spice and a fresh, unisex profile that feels understated rather than sweet or ornate.
Release year
2020
Collaborators
Maison Matine’s founders, Marie Kellou and Arthur Ponroy, shaped the concept as part of the brand’s early creative response to the pandemic, turning everyday emotions into a playful, optimistic fragrance project. The house also works with a rotating circle of perfumers and illustrators to build the scent and its visual identity together.
Maison Matine’s story
Maison Matine is a young French house built on the idea of breaking perfume’s old codes. It favors simplicity over opulence, creativity over convention, and a spirited, inclusive tone, with sustainable packaging and vegan, naturally derived formulas reinforcing that rebellious, contemporary outlook.
Esprit de Contradiction’s concept
Esprit de Contradiction belongs to Maison Matine’s Origine Collection, the brand’s first line of unisex eaux de parfum. Launched in 2020, the collection was conceived as a set of fragrant snapshots drawn from the founders’ daily feelings during the early pandemic, with a playful, positive energy rather than a grandiose narrative.
Extra info
Esprit de Contradiction is part of Maison Matine’s debut Origine Collection, the line that introduced the house’s playful, anti-conventional identity. The fragrance also appears in ancillary products such as hand creams, extending its signature beyond perfume.
Aromatic sage, coriander and black pepper combine with mandarin and lemon for laid-back sophistication. Vetiver and musk give it muscle, while orris provides lean, refined woodiness.
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is the scent of someone who likes their presence neat but not polished to the point of stiffness: a crisp shirt, open windows, a quick stride through the city, and a dry, peppery trail that feels intelligent rather than loud. It suits close conversation and a calm, self-possessed mood.
How to wear
Best in mild to cool weather, where its citrus, sage and spice stay bright without turning sharp. Apply two to four sprays for a clean, moderate sillage; on skin it reads fresh and woody, while in the air the pepper and cedar give it a leaner, more structured edge.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like aromatic citrus scents with a dry, modern backbone. It will appeal to those who prefer clean woods, restrained spice and a fresh, unisex profile that feels understated rather than sweet or ornate.
Release year
2020
Collaborators
Maison Matine’s founders, Marie Kellou and Arthur Ponroy, shaped the concept as part of the brand’s early creative response to the pandemic, turning everyday emotions into a playful, optimistic fragrance project. The house also works with a rotating circle of perfumers and illustrators to build the scent and its visual identity together.
Maison Matine’s story
Maison Matine is a young French house built on the idea of breaking perfume’s old codes. It favors simplicity over opulence, creativity over convention, and a spirited, inclusive tone, with sustainable packaging and vegan, naturally derived formulas reinforcing that rebellious, contemporary outlook.
Esprit de Contradiction’s concept
Esprit de Contradiction belongs to Maison Matine’s Origine Collection, the brand’s first line of unisex eaux de parfum. Launched in 2020, the collection was conceived as a set of fragrant snapshots drawn from the founders’ daily feelings during the early pandemic, with a playful, positive energy rather than a grandiose narrative.
Extra info
Esprit de Contradiction is part of Maison Matine’s debut Origine Collection, the line that introduced the house’s playful, anti-conventional identity. The fragrance also appears in ancillary products such as hand creams, extending its signature beyond perfume.