When planning my first trip to NYC, I searched Google for things to do that weekend. The result must’ve been influenced by my search history because one of the first matches was Sniffapalooza, a two-day event for fragrance enthusiasts. I’d been interested in high-end perfumery for years, but my local options were limited and I was spending too much money on samples and decants. Discovering that event was a happy coincidence and a great opportunity to explore some of the many shops the city has to offer.
Osswald
The NYC branch of a Zurich perfume shop, Osswald is easily one of the best shops in the city. Josie, the Fragrance Director, is a true frag-head and one of the most knowledgeable and passionate people I’ve met in the industry. She stocks a great mix of popular niche and more obscure brands. Visiting in 2020, I left with a sample of Atomic Rose by Initio, which smells like it sounds, and Sanna Jardin’s Jaipur Chant, a beautiful white floral that Josie tells me is unique for its usage of narcissus.
A must visit for anyone interested in luxury perfume.
Aedes
An unapologetically extravagant shop with their own line of fragrances. Try their signature eau de parfum, a unique blend of rhubarb and tomato leaf, created by the renowned Bertrand Duchaufour. This is also one of the only places I know that carries Vilhelm Parfumerie . I absolutely love fig scents, so I have to recommend Dirty Velvet. If you like basil as much as me, Basilico & Fellini will put a smile on your face.
MiN
MiN is a small boutique with a carefully curated selection of offerings. Worth a visit, but the staff can sometimes be a little snooty – sadly not uncommon in the world of luxury goods. I haven’t been there in a long time. It seems they’re now focusing more on their own line of perfumes.
Perfumarie
The brainchild of Mindy Yang, formerly a designer at MiN, Perfumarie is a true game-changer and just might be the first shop of its kind. Branded as a “discovery studio”, they offer a set of mystery fragrances every month, much like a wine tasting, and you can take home some samples of your favorite selections.
Darryl Do, their in-house perfumer, produces 5 new fragrances every month for the experience, and they have an enormous back catalog – nameless, exclusive scents – numbered by intensity and date. Everything they produce, and many of their retail products, are transparently priced by the mL, so you can leave with as much or as little as you want. Almost like a growler shop for perfume, it’s a great way to add some high quality scents to your collection without committing to an entire bottle or relying on third-party bottle-splitting services.
This is not a shop to find the big names, but it just might change your perception of perfume as a whole. If you’re new to the art of luxury perfume, this should be your first stop.
Le Labo
A French founded, NYC based line, Le Labo has a number of outlets in the NYC area. They also offer city specific perfumes that are only available in their respective cities. The quality is good, but the prices are a bit inflated. They have since been acquired by Estée Lauder, as have many other niche brands. Worth a visit for the unique design of their shops.
Killian
Founded by Kilian Hennessy of the Hennesy cognac family, by Killian is a luxury brand with a strong emphasis on presentation. They have some really wonderful fragrances – my mom loves Flower of Immortality, an elegant, peachy floral – though the price is quite high. If you like the stuff, you can order refill bottles online and use your own atomizer to save some money. Another company that’s been bought out by Estée Lauder.
Parfums De Marly
One of my favorite well-known niche brands, Parfums de Marly is all about evoking 18th century France and equestrian themes. Delina is decidedly feminine and one of the most intoxicating floral fragrances I’ve ever encountered – get a sample for a lucky woman in your life. Oajan is among my favorite gourmand perfumes – bold cinnamon and sweet, sticky honey. The line can be found in their flagship store in NYC and in boutiques all over the world.
Bond No. 9
With an enormous catalog of New York themed fragrances, Bond has something for everyone. I’m not their biggest fan – their fragrances can be loud, even tacky – but they’re usually generous with samples, and they have a number of shops in the NYC. One of my favorites is Manhattan, a sweet, fruity concoction that I’d prefer to smell on my lady friends than myself.