WE LOVE THIS STORE: Olfactory NYC + New Fragrance Concept Draw

Olfactory NYC is located in the Fragrance District

New York City has a theater, garment, and financial district so why not one for fragrance? There is!  The Lower East Side is the unofficial perfume shopping hub  (which Michelyn dubbed in 2012) the Fragrance District aka the Lower East Side. Early pioneers such as Bond No.9, Atelier Cologne, Le Labo, LAFCO, Byredo, Diptyque, and Osswald now share real estate with newcomers Cire Trudon, Malin & Goetz, PERFUMARIĒ, and Olfactory NYC. It was shortly after I wrapped up 2nd Annual A-Z Perfume Shopping Guide To NYC in late November, that fragrant friend and man around town Bart Schmidt of Brands With Purpose brought to our attention Olfactory NYC. I included it in the Guide and made a note to visit after the holidays. So late January of 2018, I had the pleasure of visiting Olfactory NYC.

   

From the outside looking in, Olfactory NYC has a Chelsea art gallery like presence, clean, stark, and modern but without pretension. On entering, Bart Schmidt (partner) introduced me to founder J.J. Vittoria.

J.J. Vittoria of Olfactory NYC

 I learned that J.J. had been a financial analyst prior to this venture. What made him switch his career? As an outsider, he was passionate about fragrance but shopping in expensive stores with stratospheric prices was off-putting. The retail establishments were not speaking to him as a consumer in the the way he wished. He saw an opportunity. 

CURATE

While I was taking in the store's ambiance and  making my way through the selection of perfumes, J.J. articulated the brand's philosophy: 

1) No designer logos, celebrity faces or expensive packaging. 

2) The fragrances created by some of the world's top perfumers only use high-quality natural ingredients and be available for a fraction of that cost of the luxury brands. At Olfactory NYC each perfume is $50/50 ml

3) All fragrances would be prepared in the studio. 

4) Fragrance shopping is less intimidating and more experiential for the customer

CREATE

The collection included fragrances by renowned perfumers Harry Fremont (Calvin Klein ckOne, Ralph Lauren Romance), Annie Buzantian (Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio, Marc Jacobs Decadence), Honorine Blanc (Tom Ford Noir Anthracite, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy), Gabby Chelariu (Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties G, Jennifer Lopez Glow After Dark) and Ilias Ermenidis (Vera Wang Princess, Heavenly Victoria's Secrets). All of the perfumers are well versed in niche and artistic brands as well as mainstream and designer offerings. All scents are considered gender fluid and have a corresponding body wash, lotion, and roller ball.

Bart Schmidt,  J.J. Vittoria, Ilias Ermenidis of Firmeich and Karen Dubin of Sniffapalooza 

Sniffapalooza recently hosted a well-attended event featuring special guest perfumer Ilias Ermenidis who debut the store's newest scent, Alex (named after his son).

Compared to signing fragrances for large designer brands, Mr. Ermenidis said working with smaller collections like Olfactory NYC allows him more freedom to explore new ideas.

At the start of my visit, J. J. Vittoria then walked me through the nine scent line-up: 

Lulu: with notes of orris, musk, and  tonka, this is a perfume for the young at heart. (Gaby Chelariu) 

Riley: Brains and beauty! Vanilla, sandalwood, and hazelnut lend a warm sensuality and complexity (Honorine Blanc)  

Avery: Romantic Rose, Bulgarian grow in a garden of green ivy.(Annie Buzantian)  

Hunter: Neo-gourmand. Notes of Madagascar Vanilla, musk and Peruvian ambrette add sweetness without smelling like a vanilla cupcake. (Ilias Ermenidis) 

Taylor: Jasmine from Grasse  artfully blended with Jasmine from India.(Honorine Blanc)  

Ashton: Lemon and Bergamot notes with shimmering White Tea.. Classic and fresh.(Harry Fremont)

Dylan: Fresh apples and juicy Lychee with wood notes. For the wild at heart (Annie Buzantian) 

 

Reed: Faceted Patchouli (Clearwood© from Firmenich) blended with rose and lily (Harry Fremont) 

 

Jayden:  Composed with a creamy, natural Sandalwood from Sri Lanka, Jayden  is meditative and mystical (Harry Fremont)

At the Customization table, each perfume can be personalized by blending specific accords which will boost or change the scent so that it all your own. This process is for on-premise purchases only.  

Michelyn Camen of CaFleureBon with Ilias Ermenidis (R) and Frank Voelkl (L) of Firmenich on the Red Carpet of The Fragrance Foundation Awards (photo Luca Maffei)

Olfactory NYC, 280 Mott Street

Olfactory NYC is a special stop in Manhattan’s fragrance district. If you live in the Tri-State area please stop by…you will be glad you did. 

–Hernando Courtright, New York City Event Contributor and Brand Ambassador (with art direction, added information and contributions including perfume descriptions from Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief)

All photos Hernando for Cafleurebon unless otherwise specified 

Olfactory NYC, 280 Mott Street, New York, NY 10012  917-261-6333

Website:  olfactorynyc.com  Email: hello@olfactoryny.com

Hours 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM/Free Shipping on Orders Over $100 

Thanks to the generosity of Olfactory NYC we have a very special giveaway for a CON US registered reader, (you must register to be eligible here) for a 50 ml bottle of your choice. Can’t decide which Olfactory NYC perfume you want to try? Opt for the 3 x 10 rollerball set. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando's visit to Olfactory NYC, and which perfume you would choose should you win.  Draw closes 3/1/2018. 

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume. 

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23 comments

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    I love this concept….reasonable prices, unisex scents and the option of customization when shopping in-store. I’d opt to try the three rollerball of Taylor, Dylan and Reed. I am in .Arizona, US.

  • Richard Potter says:

    It’s been too long since I’ve been to NY. I really need to visit this “fragrance district.” I would love to win a bottle of Reed. I love Clearwood.

  • rustee45 says:

    I absolutely love the idea of stripping the pretentiousness out of perfumery and making it more accessible to the consumer by offering at a reasonable price and also in a reasonable quantity (rollerballs, YAY!). Looking at these creations, I would first choose Riley, Hunter, and Ashton. I live in the CONUS and thank you for this chance.

  • alienheart says:

    I liked that J.J. saw something that was missing, and he created it. Jayden and Dylan sound great to me. CA

  • Maya says:

    What a great philosophy Olfactory NYC has. I like the concept and setup of their store. It looks like a fun place to visit, especially with customization. I would have to go for the rollerball set. The perfume descriptions are very enticing – “For the wild at heart” and “Brains and beauty” and “Romantic Rose”……….Live in the US.

  • fazalcheema says:

    This is an amazing concept. I hope J.J’s venture is a success and inspire similar business models. The selection and the prices are almost unbelievable by NY standards. Jayden seems the most interesting but it is always hard to predict from notes how the final product may turn out so there may be others, too that intrigue me. Thanks for the draw. I am in US.

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    Hernando’s visit was very great to read and it sounded like he had a great experience. I especially looked the part where JJ explained the brand’s philosophy to him. This brand seems intent on pleasing the consumer and but in inflating their wallet with useless add on and marketing. I respect that. If I had a choice, I would pick Ashton. I always appreciate the opportunity. I love in Philadelphia, PA

  • Kate C says:

    What a fun concept. Incredible prices for a perfume! I’d choose a rollerball set of Riley, Avery, and Ashton. US – thanks for the draw!

  • kwick says:

    I love that all the scents are described as ‘genderfluid’ – as all fragrances indeed are! The three I’d like to try most in a rollerball set are Reed, Taylor & Dylan (my daughter’s name!). Thanks for the drawing!

  • INYA says:

    Wish I could visit this interesting shop! If I win: Reed, please. It calls to me: “Go deep into the woods” ♤♤♧♧♤♤ Luck to all!

  • Malka Gittel bas Reuven says:

    The ideas of ditching hype in exchange for simple quality by fine perfumers and then allowing individual customization? Brilliant. It’s the perfumer version of fast fashion custom tailoring, allowing a bit of a throwback to a more sensible time in personal goods. Reed and Ashton are both speaking to me. I’d love to try them.

  • Hasib says:

    Sounds like a great experience. I like this idea. It’s like taking an adventure. Like to go with Ashton, Hunter and Dylan. Thanks for the giveaway. From California

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Thank you Hernando for bringing this great perfume oasis to my attention! Next time I am in the city I am definitely stopping here! I would love to win Hunter, which would have been the name of my first child had she been male. Thank you for this draw! I reside in the United States.

  • Steve A. says:

    The 4 point philosophy is refreshing and exciting. I’d like to win the three rollerballs of Lulu, Hunter and Jayden. USA

  • heartandsoul says:

    I like that Olfactory isn’t stuffy and one doesn’t need to break the bank to purchase a new scent. I am going to NYC for the first time in a week (it has taken me 45 years) and plan on visiting a few perfume stores. This is now on my list! I would like to be entered for Hunter, Jayden, and Riley rollerballs. Thank you!

  • Dawn Crawford says:

    Love the idea. To my mind, niche or custom perfumes should be the standard. Can not think of one of the Department Store Brands are worth purchasing. Would love to win Hunter, Riley and Lulu.

  • Belladonna says:

    Olfactory’s philosophy brings perfume art to such a wider audience with making it more accessible and also turning down the marketing volume! It seems to me that also the perfumers themselves have a clearer voice in this offering, which is also very appealing. Given an opportunity I would choose Reed. Thank you for the generous drawing – I’m in the USA.

  • James Sherwood says:

    No fancy packaging, save $50.00 easy ! Pretty sweet. I would like to try Jayden. Sandalwood is a favorite note of mine. Jim in Md. USA

  • Mim says:

    The concept is pretty solid, especially the customization option in-store! I like the artsy feel and the color display. I wish I could visit!

    Jayden, Riley, and Hunter all appeal to me and without trying I don’t think I could pick a favorite, so I’d choose the set.

    Thank you for the draw and the spotlight on such a creative venture!
    USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    What a fun and uplifting shop! Love the color. I like that they are just concentrating on what is in the bottle. I keep my small collection in a drawer or in their boxes anyways to protect the precious juice, so fancy bottles don’t interest me. Having never been to NYC, it’s nice to know there’s “perfume central” should I ever go I will know exactly where to book a hotel! If I’m the lucky one, I would choose the 3×10 of Reed, Hunter and Riley. Thanks for the draw! I’m going to their website now! US.

  • Diana D says:

    I think this is such an amazing idea, creating the fragrance right there in the store And they’ve made it so affordable, you can buy several at a time.

    Each of their fragrances sound so great, I’d love to win the set of 3 rollerball 10 ml bottles of the following:

    Riley, Avery and Reed

    I live in the U.S.

  • yasmina says:

    I wish I still lived in NYC – what a fun store! I would love to try Riley, Lulu and Jayden. I live in the US.

  • Laurel says:

    Hello, I am looking to create my own perfume. Would your establishment be a place I could come to smell various ingredients to be creative?