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Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight: NEH

This week in Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight we speak to Tara Derakshan – founder of new perfume brand, NEH, which aims to add mindfulness to the art of perfumery.

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About You

Tell us who you are.

I’m a scent creator, entrepreneur, writer, adventurer, and proud dog mum of two. I’m deeply immersed in the art of perfumery and sensory exploration, blending creativity and mindfulness to craft experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Wife, traveler, and always in pursuit of life’s rich pleasures, I’m passionate about the journey of self-discovery through scent.

How did you get into the perfume industry?

My journey into fragrance was born out of a deep fascination with how scent impacts our emotions, identity and memories. This passion led me to create SNIPH, a fragrance discovery service for niche perfumes, and later NEH, a new perfume house where master perfumery meets mindfulness.

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What was the first perfume you ever purchased?

Obsession by Calvin Klein. Its boldness and fluidity felt liberating and opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of scent at a very young age.

What is your favorite meal?

I’m drawn to flavorful Persian kabob with saffron rice. It’s rich, aromatic, and captures the essence of culture and depth, a bit like my approach to fragrance.

Where is your favorite place?

Bali and South Africa both hold a special place in my heart. These vibrant, diverse places have a unique energy, a blend of culture, spirituality, and natural beauty that feeds my creativity and grounds me.

Do you have an interesting party trick or any hidden talents?

I’m a certified Yoga Nidra teacher, which means I can guide people into a deep state of relaxation and subconscious exploration—a powerful tool for healing. I also sing, and for the first time, I’m blending both these skills in NEH, using my voice in our frequency sounds to support others in their journeys of self-discovery and well-being. It’s exciting to bring these personal passions into my work, creating a meaningful, healing experience for others.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Tilda Swinton would be my pick. She has a rare, magnetic presence that aligns with the creative, boundary-pushing energy I bring to my work.

About Your Brand

Describe your brand in one sentence.

NEH is a contemporary perfume house that blends master perfumery with cutting-edge NFC technology to create a transformative full sensory experience.

Where does the name of your brand come from?

“NEH” comes from the last three letters of my name and fittingly translates to “nose” in French, representing both expertise and individuality in the fragrance world.

Who are your perfumes for?

Our perfumes are made for the modern explorer. Those who appreciate artistry in fragrance and see scent as a path to self-discovery, connection, and wellness.

Tell us about your latest perfume.

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Our latest creation, The Element by NEH, is all about play and self-expression, with notes of Lychee, Rose, Vanilla and patchouli. It’s designed to bring out joy, curiosity, and a sense of freedom and spark in everyday life.

If someone wanted to try your fragrances, which one would you recommend they try first and why?

I’d suggest starting with The Opening. Its blend of Cardamom, Violet, and Sandalwood is both warm, mysterious and inviting, perfectly embodying NEH’s unique approach to mindful scents with intention.

What challenges do you want to overcome for your brand?

Our vision is to help people experience fragrance as a path to self-connection, self-awareness, and well-being—beyond just a scent. We aim to inspire individuals to explore their own depths with each fragrance, using it as a bridge to a richer understanding of themselves. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment through scent is at the heart of everything we do. In a world filled with noise, NEH is here to help you remember your wholeness and reconnect with who you truly are.

What is unique about your brand?

NEH brings together the finest raw materials and high-quality master perfumery with the principles of mindfulness to create a fragrance experience that goes beyond the senses. By integrating NFC technology and original frequency sounds, each scent supports well-being and self-connection, inviting you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, intuition, and higher awareness. NEH is more than perfume, it’s a journey of making the invisible visible – helping you find presence and balance in everyday life.


You can find out more about NEH at https://nehperfumes.com

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Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight: Le Frag

This week we’re heading to Barcelona (via Poland) to meet Le Frag’s founder and perfumer, Agnieszka Lewandowska.

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About you

Tell us who you are?

Hi, I’m Agnieszka, founder of Le Frag. I grew up in Warsaw’s Saska Kępa neighborhood and have always embraced being different. I’ve pursued various passions, from art to fitness, which all led me to create Le Frag—a perfume brand for those who walk their own path.

How did you get into the perfume industry?

I’ve always had a kind of passion for scents. But please don ́t ask me perfume names, history of perfumery, perfumers or brands. I am terrible with that. It all started with my love for the complex and unique scents and I first discovered them as a customer. After I moved to Barcelona in 2009, I got involved in the perfume industry more seriously and worked in niche perfumery. My own experience with feeling judged for not ‘fitting in’ at my first niche perfume store shaped how I interacted with my own customers. I always shared my love for scent with them, even if I knew they wouldn’t make a purchase. For me, it wasn’t about status or names—it was simply about the beauty of the fragrance itself. In fact, it was my customers who encouraged me to launch Le Frag. They appreciated how I helped them find something rare and different from what they knew.

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What was the first perfume you ever purchased?

It all started with my mom’s scents like Poison and Dune by Dior, Exclamation by Coty. I can’t recall the exact first perfume I bought, but my real introduction to niche perfumery was a memorable experience. I was a young student (in my early 20s) working at the Marriott hotel gym in Warsaw, and I used to pass by Quality Missala, the first niche perfumery in the city. The ladies in the store weren’t very welcoming, and I felt like they judged me for my young age, sneakers and gym attire—as if I didn’t ‘belong’ in such a luxurious place. But one day, I walked in, put my cash on the counter, and asked to buy a bottle. I was torn between Ambre Russe and Audh by Micallef, but eventually went for Audh. That moment was incredibly satisfying for me! Later, other scents like Idole by Lubin and Élixir des Merveilles by Hermes also became memorable for me.

What is your favourite meal?

This is a tough one for me! My heart is torn between Japanese cuisine—I absolutely love sushi—and Italian, so a shout-out to all my Italian friends! (I can here them screaming now Eeee Brava!!)

Where is your favourite place?

My favorite place on earth is a small, peaceful village in Masuria (lake district), Poland. There’s a forest guard house in the middle of the woods that’s my ultimate comfort spot.

Do you have an interesting party trick or any hidden talents?

I can sing! I used to sing at the Grand Theater of the National Opera in Warsaw, and while it’s not a skill I use daily, it’s still a hidden “talent” of mine.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

The first name that comes to mind is Johnny Depp— but though that might be tricky LOL! So, I think Helena Bonham Carter would capture my spirit perfectly.

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About your brand

Describe your brand in one sentence.

Le Frag is dedicated to inspiring those who wander and crave individuality, inviting them to celebrate their authentic selves through scent.

Where does the name of your brand come from?

Initially, I considered using my name and surname for the brand, like many others do. However, I found my name, Agnieszka, and my surname quite difficult to write and pronounce. Polish is pretty complicated, and if you doubt try to pronounce ‘W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie,’ you’ll understand the struggle!

So, I decided to play around with it. By abbreviating my surname to ‘LE’—which also represents my mother Ewa’s initials—and combining it with ‘frag,’ short for fragrance, I created a name that implies ‘THE fragrance,’ not just any fragrance. It ended up sounding a little bit French but as you can see this wasn’t my intention.

Who are your perfumes for?

Le Frag perfumes are for anyone who feels different and seeks to express their individuality. They’re for those who understand that fragrance can be a powerful means of storytelling and self-expression. Often feel amused when people describe my scents as ‘not for anyone.’ Isn’t that the point of niche perfumery? It feels like a compliment, and I appreciate that perspective!

Tell us about your latest perfume.

The latest in the collection is ‘Time Machine,’ and this time, I’m not telling my story or sharing my memories; I’m inviting people to share theirs. I decided to name it that way because I was blown away by how many people who tried the initial versions were transported back to their childhood. They recalled scents that brought back feelings of nostalgia, like the smell of wood shavings from their dad ́s workshop or the comforting aroma of a grandfather’s cologne. It’s fascinating how a fragrance can evoke those hidden moments and feelings, connecting us to our past in such a meaningful way.

If someone wanted to try your fragrances, which one would you recommend they try first and why?

Although my collection is often described as demanding—something I personally don’t agree with 😛 —if I were to recommend a fragrance for someone starting out, I’d suggest ‘Time Machine.’ It’s approachable and resonates with many. However, if you ask me personally, I believe ‘Genesis‘ perfectly encapsulates the essence of beginnings and niche exploration. I named it that way because it reflects my love-hate relationship with some niche fragrances at the beginning of my journey and reminds me how it all started for me.

What challenges do you want to overcome for your brand?

I could probably write a book on the challenges I face! As a one-person company while still holding down a day job, my budget is quite limited, and I don’t have investors backing me. One of my main challenges is reaching a wider audience without compromising the integrity of my brand. I love the artisan aspect of my work and the individual connection I have with my customers. I don’t expect my fragrances to be loved by millions; rather, I want to connect with those who share a passion for unique scents.

Additionally, I strive to avoid disingenuous social media marketing practices, as I’ve found that the landscape has become less honest over time. My goal is to stay true to my essence while navigating these hurdles and remaining authentic in how I connect with my audience.

What is unique about your brand?

What makes Le Frag unique is its focus on individuality and authentic expression. It’s about creating scents that resonate deeply, allowing people to connect with their own stories and memories.
Perhaps that’s why I chose characters from my childhood as inspirations—children symbolize authenticity and being true to oneself, qualities that adults often forget. Many might think these characters aren’t fancy or serious enough for the luxury perfume industry, but I’ve never cared about what others expect me to do. My priority is to celebrate uniqueness and encourage others to embrace their authentic selves.

You can find out more about Le Frag on Aga’s website here.

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Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight: ÖröK Fragrances

This week our Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight shines towards Australia (via Hungary), where we speak to John Domjam of ÖröK Fragrances.

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Tell us who you are?

My name is John, I have a background in fine art am obsessed with Sci-Fi, Fantasy and the avant garde and reside in Melbourne, Australia.

How did you get into the perfume industry? 

I have always believed that fragrance is an artform akin to installation work in fine art. Fragrance creates a space around the user that transports emotions, thoughts, and conjures imagination. For many years I had the idea of utilising fragrance in this manner, painting with scent. In the end, I created ÖröK Fragrances to capture queer narratives and share our stories of diversity, joy and resilience allowing people to share their own stories through scent and connect.

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What was the first perfume you ever purchased?

It may be no surprise but my very first fragrance was the original Dior Homme – I remember being so captivated by its scent profile – it was transportive! It allowed me to don this shield of confidence and allure like a second skin amplifying my own personality.

What is your favourite meal?

I simply cannot go past Japanese food – its so elegant and well put together both visually and taste wise – I am obsessed.

Where is your favourite place?

I grew up fishing and camping in the Snowy Mountains of NSW in Australia – its incredible how imposing the mountains are, how beautiful the scenery is and how fresh and green it smells – especially in the summer.

Do you have an interesting party trick or any hidden talents?

I can speak three languages and adore learning about more.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Dan Levy! We look similar (so i have been told haha)

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About your Brand

Describe your brand in one sentence.

ÖröK Fragrances are narrative-driven scents that transport users to places where identity is fluid, and boundaries dissolve.

Where does the name of your brand come from? 

“ÖröK” in Hungarian (my background) is a word that means “inherited”. I choose it as i believe these narratives we experiences are inherited through our culture, our friends, our daily lives. We all share the same narratives no matter who we are and these are what connect us in the rich tapestry of life.

Who are your perfumes for?

Whilst we don’t target a specific audience, they are quite avant garde and different – those who like interesting scents, artistic and different will love our range. Those who wants to celebrate their stories, share their joys, their experiences and their diversity will also love the range.

Tell us about your latest perfume.

We released 5 different fragrances at launch with 5 different stories. Whilst they are all different and unique, overall they share the same ÖröK Fragrances DNA.

If someone wanted to try your fragrances, which one would you recommend they try first and why?

Thus far the most popular Fragrance on our list has been 5AM! It tells the story of the world waking up, and walk home from an event with friends discussing the joys and connections experienced during the night as you can smell the night flowers blooming into the day, and the slightly damp atmosphere, ozonic and captivating. It is such a joy.

What challenges do you want to overcome for your brand?

Possibly the most difficult thing is how to plan out the marketing campaigns for a small brand post launch. When you don’t have unlimited funds, you want to make sure that you are utilising the most effective content to drive our story.

What is unique about your brand?

Our fragrances encapsulate a unique experience within the perfume landscape. They are artistic, crafted uniquely for each narrative and offer something very different! They are for those who want to stand out, celebrate their diversity and with 25% parfum concentrate they are long lasting throughout the day.

You can find out more about ÖröK Fragrances on their website, here.