07.10.2025

Journal Talks - The Talisman Interviews

JT sat down with Qhris Magsino, independent creative consultant and special projects lead, to explore his view of fragrance as a primal code and how the fragrance oil, Riddargatan / The Guardian, evolves from mere strength into a deeper sense of presence and protection.

Photo credit: Vanessa Tryde

What role does fragrance play in your personal style? Do you see it as an accessory, a signature, or something more invisible?

I think of it almost like a primal code. It’s not really about the perfume itself, but about how it interacts with your natural chemistry.

To me, my scent isn’t just a fragrance; it’s an extension of my being and an important part of my life.

Many describe scent as the most intimate form of beauty. How do you feel fragrance shapes the way we present ourselves to the world?

It’s deeply personal, almost invisible yet profoundly present. The way a scent lingers says more than clothing or appearance; it becomes a silent marker of who we are.

The Talisman Collection is inspired by archetypes: Nomad, Nymf, and Riddargatan. You were chosen as Riddargatan. What does being “a guardian” mean to you?

I’ve always had a strong instinct to protect my own energy and those I love. But for the past eleven years, I’ve been a father, and that experience has redefined what it means to be a guardian, giving it new depth and meaning.

Riddargatan holds whispers of centuries, mingling past and present. How do you engage with history or heritage in your own expression?

I see history and heritage as the building blocks of identity. I’ve always been aligned with that, but lately I’ve been drawn to exploring DNA, especially the theories about unlocking dormant codes through meditation.

If you could imagine yourself as the guardian of something intangible, an idea, a feeling, or a place, what would it be?

My own energy.

Do you believe in the idea of a “signature scent”, or do you prefer to change fragrance the way you might change an outfit?

For me, it’s always one scent at a time. I don’t rotate fragrances with moods or occasions. I see it as loyalty towards myself. If I change, it’s because I’ve evolved.

If you had to describe your ideal fragrance in three words or three textures, what would they be?

Rich, tropical, and mystical in its allure.

Find out more about Qhris here.