The Aesthete’s Wish List: 5 Captivating Scents Crafted By Independent Perfumers

With a focus on fragrance, this month Something Curated highlights the olfactory masterpieces of five brilliant independent perfumers. Complex and transportive, these unique scents are powerful vehicles of storytelling – further bolstered by their beautiful packaging and imagery. Keep scrolling to discover the compelling perfumes available for purchase this November.

Neandertal Dark || Neandertal

Neandertal is an interdisciplinary platform, originally conceived by artist Kentaro Yamada in 2017. The project urges people to think, consider, and participate in the legacy of the modern human. Since 2018, the brand has grown organically, receiving glowing reviews from perfume, design and art critics alike. The top note structure of Neandertal Dark comprises leafy, aromatic and textural sensations, symbolic of nature – trees, plants, flowers and citrus fruits. Yamada explains: “The unique shape of our bottles are based on a series of flint knapped hand axes from Norfolk in the United Kingdom. Stone tools like these have been used by mankind for over a million years and are one of our oldest and most ubiquitous design objects. As a pair, Neandertal Dark and Light speak to the impermanence of the world around us; the rise and fall of different species, cultures and civilisations.” Available at Neandertal.

Pentimento || Jorum Studio

Jorum was established in 2010 by Scottish perfumer Euan McCall, and today, operating as Jorum Studio, is jointly helmed with McCall’s partner Chloe Mullen. The couple have been quietly building a new, world-class perfume making industry in Scotland from their base in Edinburgh. The duo note: “Our focus is on the quality of the aroma, always. We do everything intimately by hand, working with the finest raw materials and nurturing fragrances throughout their entire development, resting and assembly process.” Pentimento is a cornucopia of moreish delights, an extravagant still-life that rewards both wearer and audience. Decadent ormolu gilded flower details are backlit by the velveteen drapery shimmer of hazelnut and broom. Smudged tonka and carob bean provide a soft halo-glow against the cool polished stone façade of rum absolute and the austere crystalline refraction of tobacco flower. Available at Jorum Studio.

Falling Trees || Régime des Fleurs

Offering a contemporary and entirely unique perspective on luxury fragrance, Régime des Fleurs’ conceptual perfume collections draw on diverse inspirations traversing the realms of nature, history and art. Imaginatively presented and beautifully documented, founder Alia Raza’s background as a filmmaker and artist is evident in Régime des Fleurs’ vibrant packaging and lavish imagery. Launched in 2014, with a concerted focus on creating objects that appeal to all the senses, not just smell, Régime des Fleurs quickly became a cult favourite in the art and fashion worlds, establishing itself as a distinct voice in the industry. Falling Trees comprises a sumptuous blend of essential oils, including elemi, juniper and cypriol, alongside myrrh and benzoin resins, oak and tree moss. Available at Régime des Fleurs.

Dust || Perfumer H

Classically trained British perfumer, Lyn Harris, trained in Paris and Robertet Grasse before embarking on her career working with many acclaimed brands as well as founding Perfumer H in 2015. Relentless in her pursuit to create beautiful, unconventional fragrances that resonate life, Harris’ eponymous label reflects her own personal style and offers an insight into her unique craft and olfactory journey. Dust proposes a reflection of the gentle powdery dust that permeates the air creating a haze; with top notes of iris absolute China softened with raspberry leaf and orange flower, resting on a base of opoponax, benjoin absolute, vanilla and sweet musk to capture the intimacy of this lasting reflection. Available at Perfumer H.

Reculver / GPS 12’ 0”E || Haeckels

Established in 2012 by Dom Bridges, Haeckels is a natural fragrance and skincare brand based in Margate, Kent. Reculver / GPS 12’ 0”E recalls waves smashing into sea defences, and behind stands a ruined abbey, graveyard and wild, overgrown fields. Remnants of more recent uses are now overgrown and covered over with blackberries, raspberries and sea lavender. The salt water spraying up onto the path and the grass leaves small puddles so that the smell of the sea is carried by the wind to mix with the berries, flowers and wild parsley to create a fragrance that is fresh, but shows the history that surrounds this place in every direction. There is a feeling here of something that was once important and loved but has now been given back to nature to heal and be washed away, into the sea. Available at Haeckels.



Feature image via Neandertal