Le Labo
One of the most coveted fragrance brands, Le Labo was born in Grasse, France, and raised in downtown New York City where they opened their first boutique in 2006.
One of the most coveted fragrance brands, Le Labo was born in Grasse, France, and raised in downtown New York City where it opened its first boutique in 2006. With simplistic names and minimalist packaging, Le Labo is famed for its iconic genderless fragrances such as SANTAL 33 and ANOTHER 13, which remain consistent bestsellers. Cultivating the art of slow perfumery, Le Labo's candles and bodycare have also become status symbols in the world of scent.
About Le Labo
Founded in 2006 by two friends, one French, one Swiss, while Le Labo is an American brand, there is a very distinct nod to the brand's European heritage – hence the French name, Le Labo, which translates to 'The Lab'. Its link back to Europe also remains prominent today, with many raw essential oils still sourced from Grasse, the famous perfumery region in Southern France. Forever focused on craftsmanship and telling a story through scent, soulful, slow perfumery remains at the heart of Le Labo, despite more and more niche fragrance houses entering the market.
Who Is Le Labo For?
Anyone who loves an original fragrance – the sort of scent that gets you compliments because of how unusual it smells. Le Labo scents have complex profiles which means they don't just smell 'floral' or 'gourmand', they're head-turning, shape-shifting and luxe without being flashy or garish. If you like understated elegance and apothecary-style brands, Le Labo is for you.
Why Space NK Loves Le Labo
For a start, Le Labo products look good. Their packaging, despite being low-key, is the kind you want on display, whether it's a Le Labo fragrance, Le Labo candle or Le Labo hand cream. They're also a certified B Corporation which means they have serious ethics that prioritise people and the planet, and because they focus on slow perfumery and small batch production, there's very little waste too. It also ensures the quality of the ingredients which is why the scents have such great longevity. Wear a Le Labo fragrance and it will last all day, plus a little goes a long way.
Your Questions, Answered
A high-end niche fragrance house, Le Labo doesn't churn out perfumes for the sake of it. Each scent has been developed with its own special soul using the world's finest raw ingredients and essential oils which is reflected in the price. The scents are also produced in smaller batches which means each scent is more expensive to produce as they incorporate people into the process, rather than just a machine-led production line.
In 2011, Le Labo released SANTAL 33 which is without doubt the brand's most iconic perfume. A representation of the 'smell of New York', its smoky, woody blend of sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom and leather captured the attention of scent wearers, and its popularity has never wavered. ANOTHER 13 is a close contender for the title too. A musky, subtle aroma that has been designed to smell different on everyone, it leans into the brand's 'niche' selling point.
If you're a fragrance lover, or know someone who is, Le Labo should be on your wishlist if you haven't tried them already. The same goes for those who favour niche, sustainable-minded brands. With a cool, New York edginess and exquisite attention to detail, if you want a scent to resonate with your mood and love the idea of a hand-crafted fragrance, Le Labo is worth every penny.
It's a common misconception that Le Labo is from Japan when it's actually an American brand, based in New York. This often comes from the clean understated aesthetic of the brand and its subtle skin scents that are common to Japanese culture.
