You’ve surely seen, in all exclusive perfumeries, the extremely stylish little bottles, always displayed at the very best spot. Sometimes, you’ve read the brand name and it didn’t ring any bells. The explanation is simple: the niche perfume houses don’t do aggressive advertising – and that’s because, most often, they create aromas for the genuine connoisseurs, flavors produced in smaller quantities. Yet the essences are so special that they need no advertising.
But what are the niche perfumery brands that really matter? Discover them below.
1
Atelier des Ors
It was founded in 2015 by Jean-Philippe Clermont. The brand’s slogan is La Haute Parfumerie avec poesie – and, indeed, in every single bottle of perfume, you’ll find a touch of poetry. In fact, that’s what Atelier des Ors has aimed for all along: to bring back the mystery and imagination in perfumery. The house uses noble ingredients, the design of the bottles is reminiscent of the rays of the sun, and, inside each one, amazingly float 24 carats gold flakes. The Atelier des Ors’s master perfumer is Marie Salamagne, who also created for giants such as Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Nina Ricci, Giorgio Armani Prive or Azzedine Alaia.
2
Escentric Molecules
Geza Schoen is responsible for the launch of this brand, one of the best known in the niche perfumery industry since its launch, in 2006. Escentric Molecules owes its existence to an aromatic molecule, Iso E Super, which does not exist in nature, but was created in the laboratory, at the IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances), in 1973. Perfumers used it in small doses, but when Geza Schoen smelled it for the first time, he was deeply impressed. So he began experimenting and creating flavors that used Iso E Super in very large quantities. From here until the launch of Escentric Molecules was only one step.
3
Etat Libre d’Orange
When Etienne de Swardt created his own perfumery house, in 2006, he did so with the idea to start a revolution. He wanted to escape the traditional restrictions and to propose bold flavors, with personality. Excessive, outrageous, delicious. And he made it. Today, Etat Libre d’Orange means 34 perfumes, all aspirational, authentic, offering surprising olfactory compositions, without any sort of limits in the creative process. The brand represents a veritable declaration of freedom and has fans all over the world.
4
LM Parfums – Laurent Mazzone
Always fascinated by perfumes and aromas, Laurent Mazzone is a real character in the industry. Born into an Italian family in the French Alps, Laurent worked as a DJ, has opened several fashion stores with prêt-à-porter pieces, created scented candles, loved by all of the clients who walked into his boutiques. Then, in 2000, he opened a perfumery dedicated exclusively to niche scents. However, during all this time, he has not given up on his biggest dream: to create his own niche perfumes. And he did it in 2010, when he was in an unprecedented financial crisis. He took a gamble, risked and, eventually, won with LM Parfums: new aromas – surprising, provocative, inimitable. Niche fragrances that stood – and stand – the test of time.