United States of Fragrance, Dior Opens in NYC, & Events
👃🏽 INHALE CALM, EXHALE CHAOS 👃🏽
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Hi friends! Nadia here Happy Election Day!
Today’s newsletter isn’t about politics. Instead, it’s a space to take the edge off of what everyone’s feeling—anxiety, confusion, division, hope, and fear. We’re covering news and events, diving into how fragrance has the power to unite rather than divide, and a spotlight on how one brand is joining the movement of ultimate expression: fragrance and music.
SOTD: Liquid Hapè — Grounding Through the Power of Scent
Today’s choice is a bit different—a grounding ritual that goes beyond fragrance and into ancient healing. I discovered Liquid Hapè (pronounced rah-pay or ha-pay) at The Alchemist’s Kitchen in Soho. This Amazonian blend of sacred plants, including tobacco leaves and tree resins, is traditionally used for spiritual and physical cleansing, clarity, and focus.
Hapè is a scent experience; it’s inhaled, and its effects are immediate and deeply grounding. The scent is earthy, with a raw, smoky intensity—like stepping into a forest where the air is thick with the scent of trees, damp soil, and a trace of campfire. When inhaled, its a bold, almost invasive burning sensation, one that clears through the senses. It has a remarkable way of centering me, especially on those high-anxiety days when I feel chaos inside. For me, it’s a pause button for my mind—helping to clear away brain fog, sharpen focus, and reconnect me to the moment. And while I don’t typically struggle with sinus issues, it seems to open up my breath and senses in a way that’s both refreshing and grounding.
If you’re curious about experiencing Hapè yourself, The Alchemist’s Kitchen offers consultations and demonstrations, where you can explore this powerful sensory ritual firsthand.
UPCOMING EVENTS (11/8-11/24)
Curatrix: Fragrance + Film Noir Night at MAISON 10 (11/8)
Step into the dark elegance of 1940s-50s crime cinema with Curatrix, a fragrance house inspired by Film Noir.Natural Perfume Blending at Brooklyn Botanic (11/9, waitlist only)
La Fleur Cafe Pop-Up in East Village (11/10, 12-6 pm)
Wellness vibes, mocktails, teas, art, and local vendors—we’ll be there with fragrances!
Sniffapalooza X Lladró Holiday Fete in Meatpacking (11/23)
Discover Lladró, the iconic Spanish porcelain brand known for its beautifully crafted sculptures and home fragrances, at their new boutique in Meatpacking. Enjoy bubbly, bites, and a Lladró candle gift.Elorea x Siat Gallery: Contemporary jewelry by ten Korean artists blending tradition with modern design. (11/18-11/24)
‘FUME NEWS & SCENT TALKS
Did you catch this spoooky event at Stéle?
By Rosie Jane enters Target with (scented?) body care
Soft Services is launching a scented version of Theraplush
Heretic Parfum’s collab with Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu film asks: “What does a vampire smell like?” Expect notes of lilac, orris concrete, oud, and labdanum. (If you missed our last newsletter on reel scents in cinema, check it out).
We published a quick guide to Soho’s perfume stores — more to come!
Dove partnered with Charli XCX’s Sweat tour to launch a full-body deodorant.
As the world feels heavier by the day, with endless headlines and opinions flying around, there’s one ritual that remains mostly untouched by politics: fragrance. Sure, in today’s world, even perfume isn’t entirely removed from discourse. There’s the movement to decolonize scent, led by figures like San Francisco-based perfumer Yosh Han, challenging the use of “Orientalism” in fragrance language. We see shifts in consumer choices, with people choosing brands that prioritize ethical sourcing or support social causes. And, of course, perfume has long reflected societal changes, especially the evolution of women’s roles in Western culture. Fragrance has always been connected to the cultural currents of its time.
Historically, scent has been a potent symbol of influence and identity. Cleopatra famously used scented oils to leave a lasting impression, and as The New Yorker highlighted in a 1930 profile of François Coty, perfume can even serve as a path to power—Coty’s fragrance empire fueled his influence in politics and his vocal opposition to communism. Fragrance may seem apolitical, yet it often finds its place at the intersection of identity, influence, and even quiet rebellion.
Of course, like everything else, fragrance has its privileges and class systems—dupe culture alone speaks to the barriers and differing views on accessibility. But that’s not the point here. Despite these complex intersections, fragrance offers something rare in today’s world: a common ground, something that has lately felt impossible for Americans to find. Similar to music, it offers a space for connection that transcends boundaries—it’s one of the few pleasures that everyone can enjoy, regardless of background, beliefs, or affiliations.
In divisive times, scent becomes a unifier. Fragrance communities—recently called a cult—stand out as a space where everyone is welcome. Online and offline, scent lovers from all backgrounds come together, sharing their passion without the usual divides. From Reddit threads to PerfumeTok and perfume swap parties, they remind us of our shared humanity, our desire for beauty, and the small ways we can connect, even when the world feels fractured.
As a millennial immigrant from a country where colorism and Euro-centric beauty ideals shaped me, I grew up in the era of double-zero and have faced my share of body image issues. And yet, even with all these layers, I feel a sense of unity through fragrance—a ritual that doesn’t care if I’m in sweats or black-tie—it only makes me feel exactly how I want it to make me feel.
To me, the most important (and final) step of the ritual—like Glossier so perfectly put it—is “you.” You’re the final note. When you think of it this way, you realize that you are utterly unique, and so is everyone else. In the perfect world of scent, there are no borders, no colors, no hierarchies. All we share is the love of art and the intoxication of scent. That’s what makes us human; that’s what makes us united.
Spotlight: Buchart Colbert’s Olfactive Musical Debut in NYC
On October 24, Buchart Colbert made a splash at the Core Club in New York City, debuting their Eaux de Parfum collection to a gathering of fragrance lovers and friends. Founded by two Seans from Arizona—Sean Colbert, a classically trained musician and aerospace engineer, and Sean Cavenaugh, the CEO and creative architect—Buchart Colbert creates “olfactive musical memoirs” that capture the depth and emotion of music in fragrance form.
Both fragrance and music remind us of what we share. Just as a favorite song or scent can transport us, connecting us to emotions and memories, Buchart Colbert’s collection is a sensory bridge—an olfactive musical memoir that invites everyone into a shared experience.
Here’s a look at three scents from their debut:
Faisan D'Or
Faisan D’Or is a captivating gourmand that draws inspiration from autumn's deep hues and Stravinsky's ode to nature’s resilience. The journey begins with caramelized sugar and bright Valencia orange, wrapped in a veil of smoke. As the scent settles, suede and cedar intertwine with a touch of spice, evoking a rich woodland scene. Finally, pink pepper, amber, and warm woods ground the fragrance, radiating the warmth of a season of change and rich individuality.
Le Bain De Lulu
Lulu’s Bath is an olfactive journey through contrasts—where the playful coquette and the mysterious femme fatale live side by side. Layers of spicy cardamom, nutmeg, and burnt sugar add a touch of mystery, while a delicate base of powdery violet and rose brings a soft, seductive warmth. It’s an addictive blend of sweet and spicy, light and dark, that celebrates every side of who we are. As you wear Lulu’s Bath, let it remind you to embrace both the bold and the tender, the feminine and the masculine—because sometimes, the most intriguing stories are the ones with a little bit of everything.
L’Hantise
L’Hantise is a soft-focus memory, a dreamy haze that lingers just beyond reach. Inspired by the quiet, moving beauty of Chopin’s Études, this scent brings together nostalgic florals, a burst of bright citrus, and the grounding warmth of smoky vetiver. Imagine a fresh bouquet of lily, red currant, and raspberry wrapped in the earthy depth of amber and vetiver—fading in and out like a distant memory. The subtle green notes add brightness before everything melts into an ethereal finish. L’Hantise is a reminder that sometimes, the things that haunt us are the ones we hold closest.
If you’re curious about how music and fragrance blend together, Buchart Colbert’s collection is worth a closer look. Check them out at buchartcolbert.com.
I absolutely love your substack, thank you for sharing. I wish there was one for Massachusetts. 😭💔