Jill Timms believes fragrance sparks a silent conversation; it says so much about someone, and lingers long after they have gone. The very mystery of scent – the magic and stories – is what inspired her to farewell the corporate world and establish Peony in 2003.

She choses to showcase artisan perfumes for their quality and integrity. Artisan perfume houses tend to be small and independent, which allows an experienced perfumer more creative freedom. As a consequence, they create fragrances with passion, utilising the best of natural ingredients and synthetic chemistry.

The selection of scents on display at the emporium is extraordinary, from those rarely seen in Australia – like James Heeley, The Different Company and Keiko Mecheri – to the more visible but no less covetable Annick Goutal, Carthusia and Robert Piguet.

If selecting something scented feels too personal, they also offers gift vouchers complete with a perfume consultation utilising the Michael Edwards Fragrance Database.

Finally, it’s not just the products at Peony that set it apart, it’s the atmosphere – reminiscent of a time when shopping was an elegant experience.