Fragrance house

Olibanum

Olibanum was founded by Gérald Ghislain, who also founded Histoires de Parfums in 2000. Launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand takes a pared-back approach to perfumery: where Histoires de Parfums developed a narrative, literary style, Olibanum focuses on the purity of raw materials. Its identity is framed by simplicity, environmental consciousness, and humanitarian commitment. Every fragrance contains a Somali olibanum CO2 extract, the resin obtained from Boswellia trees, and the collection pairs that material with another principal perfumery ingredient in formulas intended to be worn alone or layered. Ghislain presented Olibanum at Esxence in 2022 as a new incense-focused brand built around small, layerable formulas. Sacra highlights Somali olibanum and is described in contemporary coverage as the collection’s center, while Ambrette combines olibanum with musky, powdery ambrette. The brand’s first documented humanitarian project supported a Samburu community in Kenya by funding a milk pasteurizer through two partner organizations.