“You are not just wearing a scent. You are wearing a narrative.”
Fikri
On fragrance as a track with timing and harmony, orris as the smell of arrival, a dark berry worn without volume, and a life lived at its own honest pace.
Tap the underlined phrases for notes in the margin.
For our nineteenth conversation we sat with Fikriansyah, a Computer Engineering graduate in Pontianak who works in the public sector, runs a small stationery and photocopy shop on weekends, and has been drawing since he was five. Somewhere between the code and the counter he found Boom Bap hip-hop, and it taught him that a rhythm can carry a story past what you can actually hear. He now listens to perfume the same way. So we let the record play.
The playlist that describes him. Press play, then read on.
From a pencil to a rhythm
“I’m a Computer Engineering graduate who has always been drawn to the world of art and creativity,” he says. “Since I was five years old, drawing and imagination have been a natural part of who I am.” That curiosity grew into music, and specifically into Boom Bap, where he discovered that every lyric and rhythm carries a story beyond what is heard. It taught him to value creativity not for how it looks, but for the meaning and intention behind it. Which is, as it turns out, exactly how he would come to smell.
A scent is a track
Fragrance became another form of storytelling for me. I rarely judge a perfume by the first impression alone. I am more interested in how it unfolds: how the top notes introduce an idea, how the heart develops emotion, and how the base quietly leaves its signature long after everything else fades.
Perhaps that is why I enjoy perfume so much. It reminds me of music. Every note has timing, harmony, and purpose. When everything comes together beautifully, you are not just wearing a scent, you are wearing a narrative.
When everything comes together, you are not just wearing a scent. You are wearing a narrative.
The smell of arrival
The scent that takes me somewhere is not tied to a place or a person. It is tied to a feeling of arrival. Whenever I smell orris, with its rich, buttery elegance, I am reminded of what it must feel like to stand victorious after a long and demanding journey, carrying the quiet confidence of having earned every step forward.
There is something subtly aristocratic about it, as if it marks the moment of leaving darkness behind and stepping into a life shaped by growth and prosperity. That is also why I am drawn to modern chypre structures. They feel timeless and effortlessly natural, proof that true elegance does not chase trends. It simply endures.
Side A · The arrivalOrris, and the quiet confidence of a step earned.
What he wears now
I have been wearing Black Adder of Harlem by HoM Haute more than anything else. I love how the dark berries create a bold opening before evolving into woody, leathery, softly smoky nuances that feel mysterious without being overpowering. Dark, composed, and quietly commanding, leaving an impression through character rather than volume.
Besides that I enjoy wearing Kyanite Blues Serenade 2.0, because it makes me feel like a prince returning victorious from the battlefield, welcomed home by a grand serenade at the palace. A reflection of my own journey, where every meaningful achievement is born from perseverance, resilience, and the battles fought along the way.
Side B · The rotationDark, composed, quietly commanding.
A day in three bars
Every day begins with a simple conversation, whether with someone I care about or a warm greeting from the people around me. After a long day at work I make time for a short workout to clear my mind, keep my body energized, and leave the day’s stress behind. At night, I always return to music, letting a few favorite tracks restore my spirit, quiet my thoughts, and prepare me for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Good taste, past the surface
Good taste is the ability to recognise substance beyond appearance. It is not about choosing what is expensive, exclusive, or popular, but about understanding the intention, craftsmanship, and story behind every creation. Whether it is a fragrance, a piece of music, or a work of art, I believe true taste comes from appreciating authenticity.
One belief, defended
Ask him for the one belief he would defend and he offers something closer to a benediction than an argument. A reminder, gently delivered, to stop measuring your progress against anyone else’s.
Every life unfolds at its own pace. Even the darkest night inevitably gives way to the first light of morning.
Outro · First lightTrust that your time will come.
“Life doesn’t always unfold according to our wishes, but God always unfolds it according to what is best for us.”