The image presents a minimalist and abstract scene, featuring two large vertical blocks, which are actually perfume bottles from the brand TOMBSTONE, sold on SCENTISSIME. The first block, on the left, is white with a smooth surface, while the second block, on the right, is black with a slightly rough texture, creating a striking contrast between the two. The blocks are placed on a surface that appears to be water or a reflection, adding an additional dimension to the composition. The background is misty and diffuse, with soft shades of gray and white that give a sense of calm and mystery. In the lower left corner, there is a stylized inscription that seems to reference dark or mysterious themes. The overall image evokes a contemplative and artistic atmosphere, playing on contrasts of color and texture.

The Brand

TOMBSTONE is a line of edgy perfumery creations that originates in an awareness of mortality. It tells stories of life and death with defiant humor and has a sense of disenchantment to offer. 

Every fragrance is an unordinary scene captured by an unexpected blend, crafted by perfumers who bring their own stories and perspectives to the art. Each tombstone-shaped perfume has a different texture and color, all handcrafted to ensure that no two bottles are identical, just as no two people are the same.

It’s always other people who write our tombstones and set the narratives of our lives. However, there’s no writing on the TOMBSTONE bottles, and this silence says: "we are not defined by the words of others".

The image shows a black and white scene, highlighting geometric shapes created by light and shadow. We can see paving slabs on the ground, with straight lines and intersecting patterns. The shadows cast elongated shapes on the ground, creating a marked contrast between the lit and dark areas. The whole evokes a modern and abstract atmosphere, where architectural elements blend with a graphic composition. This encourages exploration of the relationship between light and space.
The image presents a minimalist scene, highlighting two large vertical blocks that evoke the monolithic design of TOMBSTONE perfume bottles. The block on the left is black with a slightly textured surface, while the block on the right is white and has a smooth finish. The two blocks appear to float above a reflective surface that could be water, creating a mirror effect. The background is hazy and diffuse, with soft shades of gray adding a sense of mystery. This misty atmosphere envelops the scene, giving a sense of calm and serenity. The overall effect evokes a reflection on contrasts and shapes, encouraging contemplation.

The Story

After COVID, death no longer feels like a distant concept—it becomes something we feel breathing closer, while living in fear of the inevitable only robs our time of meaning.

In reflection of that, TOMBSTONE was founded as an olfactory art project in 2023 by perfumer XIAO Lan, in collaboration with a group of perfumers and artists who shared the belief that speaking openly about mortality is a form of empowerment.

Together, they create bold, poetic fragrances that reimagine perfume as a space for reflection, rebellion, and emotional depth. The brand first launched its collection in 2024 and currently offers five scents.

The Founder

The image shows a woman seen in profile, with long, black hair falling gently over her shoulder. This is Lam Xiao, founder of the niche perfume brand TOMBSTONE, sold on Scentissime. She is wearing a sleeveless black top, which accentuates the simplicity and elegance of her silhouette. She delicately holds a scent pad near her lips. Her eyes are closed, and her expression is calm and contemplative. She wears gold earrings that add a touch of shine to her outfit. The background is black, highlighting her features and the object she is holding. The overall composition evokes a peaceful and introspective atmosphere.

XIAO Lan is an artist who began her journey in perfumery in the United States in 2016. Lan developed her bold approach and distinctive style in perfumery, believing that it is an art form beyond being part of consumer products, and that “scent could be anything” —there are no boundaries to what scent can represent and illustrate. Her work refuses to follow rules or repeat existing norms—because neither art nor scent should be confined.  Dedicated to creating olfactory artworks that are both innovative and meaningful, she directs TOMBSTONE in both its visual and perfumery aspects. With each creation, she seeks to make the invisible deeply felt.

Our Curator's Review of TOMBSTONE

“I chose Tombstone the way one chooses a necessary shock. Founded by Lan Xiao — a Chinese perfumer trained in the U.S. and at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery — Tombstone stands for something rare: a bold artistic gesture that dares to confront mortality through scent. Each bottle, shaped like a tombstone and textured by hand, is a tactile metaphor. Not for mourning — but for feeling more intensely.

What captivated me was the honesty of the compositions. These fragrances don’t follow trends; they open a dialogue. Decay meets sweetness. Irony meets tenderness.

Tombstone is for fragrance lovers who treat perfume as a form of inquiry — as a way to think, feel, and sometimes flinch.
It’s a house for the restless, the poetic, the ones who suspect that beauty needs a touch of darkness to fully come alive.

Tombstone isn’t here to soothe. It’s here to stir. And for a curator, that is a privilege to protect.”

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About TOMBSTONE

Looking to buy TOMBSTONE niche perfumes online on a trustworthy official retailer? Welcome to SCENTISSIME, curator of fragrances for the curious mind. TOMBSTONE perfumes, created by Lan Xiao, explore the beauty of the ephemeral through bold, handcrafted compositions. Combining rare raw materials, olfactory contrasts, and existential storytelling, this niche perfume house offers unique creations designed by independent perfumers. For lovers of confidential, contemporary, and uncompromising perfumery. Discover the exclusive TOMBSTONE selection on SCENTISSIME. TOMBSTONE niche perfumes are shipped free of charge throughout the European Union, on SCENTISSIME.