In a world where it is all too easy to follow every trend, it is far cooler to do your own thing and be authentic, for while trends are important to observe, they shouldn’t solely dictate our choices. This also applies to personal fragrances ; one should aim to smell as unique, genuine (and good!) as we present ourselves. Our current zeitgeist reflects this, with many brands sharing this artisanal ethos and, thus, a retail shift in how we acquire and select our signature scents.
These specialized perfumeries and shops do one thing and do it well. In the past, shopping for a new cologne meant wading through department store kiosks with salespeople trying to sell you the latest “sport” iteration of an established classic. The groundwork for something different began bubbling 15 to 20 years ago with a surge in the prominence of niche fragrance houses, a stark departure from the mass-produced fumes that once dominated the market.
These brands, much like the tradition of Swiss watchmaking, are dedicated to creating timeless, well-crafted, and luxurious aromas for the discerning nose, challenging the norms of alcohol-heavy banality. Moreover, these houses often incorporate high-end and sometimes raw ingredients. In essence, they are as unique as they intend the wearer to be, and they set the stage for a return to traditional brick-and-mortar stores to reflect this concept.
The movement has flourished in New York City, with a crop of boutiques showcasing their own collections .
