What is niche-perfumes?
You may have heard the term niche before. It appears every now and then in the perfume world but it’s seldom defined what is niche and what is not. For example, what is the difference between niche-perfumes and the ones you find at the tax free shop shelves or the at the mall?
Roughly simplified you could say that niche is “specialized” in contrast to “commercial”. In the fashion industry for example, it is common to differentiate clothes that are made for the masses and the so called “haute couture” - clothes that are made for awakening and inspiring experimental lust and for a limited clientele with a particular taste. You can’t find it in any store and not everyone can afford them. Another comparison could be “specialized” music destined for an exclusive and demanding flock of listeners in contrast to the commercial music on the radio hit-lists.
The same can be said about niche-perfumes. Odd, personal, exclusive and highly experimental. The intent is simply to stand out from the mainstream and to aim towards that “specialized” customer that has a desire to be different and with niche-perfumes there are several ways to do so.
ODD FRAGRANCES
First of all it can be said that niche-perfumes are fragrances that might not always appeal to the larger masses. If you are used to the commercial selection of perfumes from the tax free shop or the so called “designer” fragrances (perfumes made by the fashion industry etc) it’s not unusual for niche-perfumes to require some getting used to. As a rule niche-perfumes often experiment with notes that are not commonly considered as fragrant or aromatic such as leather, tar, animalistic notes, tobacco among others. Although they are often balanced with mild notes of citrus, floral and wood in a variety of different combinations that you might not have experienced before.
They can also differentiate by focusing on just one note however. To whom that are accustomed to the commercial collection of perfumes it may come as a shock when they first come in contact with a perfume that smells of, for example, pure leather, vanilla or smoke. But once properly acquainted to the fragrance you learn to appreciate the scent and will not settle for anything less, since anything else will be considered awfully boring.
FIND your personality
The main advantage with something niche is that you may easily find a perfume that is unique to you, while commercial fragrances often work and smell the same on everyone. Niche-perfumes oftentimes contain pure fragrance oils sometimes as much as 30-40%, such as Nasomatto and Profumum Roma, which means that they work completely different on your skin compared to commercial perfumes that may contain a lot more synthetic ingredients or a lesser concentration of oils.
In other words perfumes of the so called niche category seldom smell the same on every person since our skin picks up the notes and fragrances in very different ways. Which can be both positive and negative. The result is often a scent that is exclusive only to you which is perfectly suitable for the person longing to be different, although we recommend trying it on your skin first. You can never know in advance what it will smell like on you since it will not work in the same way on your skin as on someone else's. This is also what makes the niche-perfumes an exciting experience like no other.
AVAILABILITY, EXCLUSIVITY AND PRICE
What further differentiates the niche-perfumes from the commercial ones is its availability. They cannot be found in every store and the production of said perfumes is also limited with much fewer being made. This of course, increases the feeling of exclusivity, especially if you have the desire to be different.
Naturally the exclusivity of these products also reflect upon the price. More expensive ingredients, for example oud, ambergris among others, as well as a limited amount being made contributes to the price being as high as it is. The bottles themselves are also more often than not very luxurious and play a major part in the perfumes identity. Brands like Nasomatto put as much soul, symbolism and creativity in the bottle cap as in the fragrance itself. Roja Parfums who like to adorn their bottles with gems and precious jewels is another example. The price certainly limits the amount of potential buyers as well. The most extreme example has to be Roja’s Haute Luxe, the world’s most expensive perfume which has a hand made bottle cap decorated with 14 Swarovski crystals.
"storytelling"
Another thing that makes niche-perfumes especially special is that the often tell a story. What we in the business call “storytelling”. By letting the fragrance build upon a certain character or narrative it allows the wearer to identify with it. The Portrait Series from Penhaligon’s does this with their fictive characters, who all have their own personal story. For those who enjoy historical references you might fancy Eight & Bob’s association to the Kennedy brothers or the fact that Winston Churchill wore Floris Special Nr 127. Making you part of history as well as making it your own.
Even the associations induced by the very special notes that hide inside these perfumes can trigger your fantasy to run wild. Try Profumum Roma’s Thundra and be transported to an autumn forest with mouldering leaves and newly picked mushrooms.
What makes the niche experience especially exciting and fun is that there is a flurry of fragrances to choose from and many hidden treasures to discover. Who doesn’t want to feel special, exclusive and luxurious sometimes? Dare to try!