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PARIS — Tatiana Kombo, 25, grew up in a highly contemporary mix of cultures and countries, so it may seem surprising that she identifies with the classics.

“My closet is mostly white, black, gray and neutral tones; clean-cut blazers and retro leather jackets,” said Ms. Kombo, a creative consultant in fashion and politics.

And her scent? That most classic of fragrances, Chanel No.5, the perfume that Coco Chanel introduced in 1921.

Ms. Kombo was born in Tours, France, to a Ukrainian/Iranian mother, a teacher involved in women’s rights, and a Nigerian father, a professor. The family moved to Niger when her father was voted into the country’s transition government and organized its first democratic elections. When she was 4, the family came to Paris, and later Ms. Kombo headed to the United States to study at Wellesley College.

But it was her trips to London to visit her maternal grandparents that formed her sense of style.

Her grandmother, Lady Assia Reporter, would take her “to Harrods, the National Gallery, tea at Selfridges, and people watching,” Ms. Kombo recalled. “I remember sitting in front of Rembrandt’s works for hours, studying colors with her. She taught me what colors complemented each other. She introduced me to textures and shapes. She pointed out which outfits enhanced people.” And which didn’t.

Today, on the vanity in Ms. Kombo’s apartment, just as on her grandmother’s, there’s a bottle of Chanel No.5.

“It’s the only perfume she ever wears,” Ms. Kombo said. “It gives her an added layer of luxury and refinement. Like her, its style is eternal.”

Lady Assia said: “I have always favored the idea of perpetual style over rapidly passing trends, which is why Chanel No.5 has stuck with me for decades.”