“At the Barber’s” by Maison Margiela, a fragrance from the evocative Replica collection, “replicates” an experience, a specific time and place. Honoring all things vintage, the Replica collection provides a sense of olfactory nostalgia for scents of times gone by. “At the Barber’s” transports you to an old-school barber shop (in 1992 Madrid), enveloping your skin like a creamy, fragrant aftershave. The scent recreates the feeling of being around soapsuds, fresh white towels, and shaving creams, with top notes of basil, black pepper, and bitter orange giving way to a heart of lavender, rosemary, and geranium, settled on a base of white musk, leather, and tonka bean. Perfumer Louise Turner of Givaudan created the composition. To launch the scent, Margiela introduced #smellslikememories, a virtual exhibition by photographers around the world capturing inspiration images for each Replica perfume, “At the Barber’s” included. The hashtag remains active on the brand’s Instagram to this day.
The Replica Collection Now
When At the Barber’s launched in 2014, the Replica line held fewer than ten fragrances. The collection has since grown to over 25 scents, organized into the original “Memories” EDT line and a newer “Fantasies” EDP sub-line with higher-concentration formulas in black bottles. Notable additions include By the Fireplace (which became a viral hit on TikTok), Bubble Bath, Coffee Break, Whispers in the Library, and Matcha Meditation. The line has also expanded beyond fragrances into scented candles, diffusers, body care products, and travel-size sets.
The brand dropped “Martin” from its name in January 2015, becoming simply Maison Margiela, when creative director John Galliano presented his debut couture collection for the house.
At the Barber’s: Discontinued but Not Forgotten
At the Barber’s has been discontinued by Maison Margiela, though remaining stock is available through retailers including Sephora, Nordstrom, Amazon, and FragranceNet at around $100 for the 100ml bottle. Barneys, the original exclusive US retailer mentioned at launch, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and closed permanently.
The scent has built a dedicated following among fragrance collectors who appreciate its faithful evocation of a traditional barbershop. For those seeking the barber’s chair experience in a different form, see The Dapper Gentleman Grooming Kit by Aesop and Perry Ellis Fragrance for Men.
