Francesca BianchiThe nose · 25 fragrances · also made Libertine Neroli (2022)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Francesca Bianchi · Sold as unisex
Once Upon a Time
The quiet intimacy of an old library where the scent of vanilla and leather-bound books intermingle, creating a cocoon of warm memories.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Once Upon a TimePremium · $100–250How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
The story behind the bottle.
Francesca Bianchi launched Once Upon a Time in 2025 as a new chapter in her signature blend of natural and synthetic notes. This Oriental Vanilla fragrance opens with a sweet and powdery top, which gives way to a rich woody heart that carries hints of smoky leather and patchouli. The base is anchored by vanilla and musky undertones, creating an enveloping warmth that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Francesca Bianchi’s approach to perfumery is deeply emotional, and Once Upon a Time captures the essence of comfort and memory. It’s designed to evoke a sense of familiarity and warmth, making it as much about feeling at home in your own skin as it is about wearing a scent.
Once Upon a Time is best applied to pulse points for optimal warmth and longevity. The powdery top notes fade quickly, so a heavier application ensures the rich woody and smoky base notes come through clearly throughout the day.
Fig. 01 — Once Upon a Time, Francesca Bianchi
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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Francesca Bianchi
A self-taught cult perfumer in AmsterdamFrancesca Bianchi is an Italian-born perfumer who studied History of Art, specializing in the twentieth century, before working in art book publishing across Florence, Berlin, Luxembourg, and Amsterdam.
Designer Francesca Bianchi
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What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 40%, disliked or hated by 14%.