Best Perfume Counter, April 2004

The allure of the perfume selection at Barneys New York starts with the display—one stunning bottle after another whispering “Try me.” Carthusia floats in square glass with a vintage spray pump (it dates back to 1681) not far from I Profumi di Firenze, which recently debuted here with ten scents, and the collection by Serge Lutens, another new launch. Barneys is the place for those niche brands you won’t find emblazoned on billboards or wafting up from scent strips. Their latest exclusive: Susanne Lang’s fragrant wonders (mixed into a custom cocktail at the counter) started arriving last month. The assortment (dangerously close to the shoes) is enhanced by the people behind the glass: Each time we linger, someone gives us another tidbit of rarefied olfactory knowledge.