although i pledge fealty to indie perfumery, as is the custom of my people, i still prefer visiting the perfume counter at saks to any hiply-curated boutique. at the boutiques they seem to assume that their customers are self-willed, independent-minded, and possessed of a fierce personal taste, which is all very complimentary, except that it adds up to an expectation that you are there to shop for yourself.
thank you very much!