The streets of NYC aren’t famous for their exquisite scents. But, deep in the heart of NoLIta, a small group of neighboring lanes have started to exude a whiff of sweetness and luxury.
Six perfume emporiums have recently flowered on and around Elizabeth Street, creating a new nexus for shoppers looking for a respite from the city’s fumes.
“NoLIta has such charm, it feels like a little Parisian alley and is home to so many flagship and unique stores,” says Ross Barry, general manager of Atelier Cologne. “It’s just starting to get recognized as a fragrance destination. I love having a little fragrance community. We all refer our customers to each other’s stores.”
This “fragrance alley” certainly captures the ethers of the moment. “Last year, scents such as cinnamon and amber were very popular,” explains Mindy Yang, curator of perfumery MiN on Crosby Street. “But those scents are so widely available now, people are gravitating towards something more mysterious.” Yang says this winter’s hottest fragrances lean toward notes of tobacco, leather and smoky woods.
To snag a scent all your own (or for someone you love), take a trip down olfactory lane.
Aesop
232 Elizabeth St.; 877-602-3767
In September, this Australia-based beauty line opened its first New York storefront on Elizabeth Street. Aesop marketing coordinator Kelly Jasper says, “We chose NoLIta for the undeniable character of the neighborhood.”
Products range from moisturizers to Marrakech-themed fragrances using cloves, sandalwood and cardamom. Holiday best-sellers include Parsley Seed Skin Care, which protects skin from air pollutants, and Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream ($45), promising extra moisture through New York’s dry winter.
Santa Maria Novella
285 Lafayette St.; 212-925-0001
This fragrance veteran, in a lofty, brightly lit space, has been in the neighborhood for eight years and is still selling holiday favorites. These include Fue de Bois, which — the owner boasts — evokes the scent of a 200-year-old fireplace in a French chateau ($55 for a large candle, or $85 for a set of three mini candles).
“I’ve smelled a lot,” says owner Jon Bresler. “But nothing reminds me of the holidays more than our Fue de Bois. It is by far our most popular fragrance.”
Another perfect holiday stocking stuffer is the store’s hand-painted ornament, hollowed out and filled with potpourri ($100). Any of the products can be packaged together as a gift basket.
MiN
117 Crosby St.; 212-206-6366
More museum than store, you’re likely to find a gift for everyone on your list at this beautifully curated perfumery, which opened in 2009 and carries many rare and discontinued lines of candles, fragrances and beauty brands like Culti and Kilian.
“A perfect gift for any man or golfer in your life is the Culti Clubhouse candle,” says Mindy Yang, curator of MiN. The $65 candle smells just like freshly-cut grass and will transport you right back to August. Yang also suggests the Kilian Discovery Collection, a sampler set of 10 mini perfumes ($195).
Le Labo
233 Elizabeth St.; 212-219-2230
This boutique, whose walls are lined with bottles of oils, herbs and extracts used to mix fresh fragrances, opened in 2006 and feels like a mad scientist’s laboratory. Step in for any of its 12 unisex signature scents. Most aromas come as perfumes ($145 for a 50 mL bottle), candles ($70), home spray ($125) and even as a detergent ($45). Smells range from the sweet “Rose 31” to the smoky, and popular spicy “Santal 33.” (Each figure represents the total number of fragrance notes.)
Last month, Justin Bieber dropped by, purchasing some smoky Santal 26-scented candles. (Lucky Selena!) Another favorite winter scent is the leathery “Patchouli 24.”
Atelier Cologne
247 Elizabeth St.; 212-256-0909
The only brick-and-mortar location for this luxury cologne store created by European perfume makers Sylvie Ganter and Christopher Cervasel opened here in August.
General manager Ross Barry describes the collection of six scents as “artisanal with a bit of rock ‘n’ roll.”
Each scent is available in a 30 mL mini-bottle ($60), a 200 mL bottle ($170), a soap ($15) and a candle ($45).
“People freak out over the Vanille Insensée candle,” says Barry. “When I light one outside the shop, I’ll sell 40 in a week.”
Every bottle is wrapped in a leather casing, which the boutique will emboss with a name or message as part of their complimentary gift-wrapping service.
Red Flower
13 Prince St.; 212-966-5301
This line of organic beauty products launched in 1999 with six candles and two teas; now the brand boasts over one hundred little luxuries available at their serene NoLIta oasis.
“Our hammam cardamom amber oil has a huge following and is our runaway hit,” says Red Flower founder Yael Alkalay. The oil ($44) is warm and smoky — ideal for the cold winter months. “There’s been a move toward a more potent scent experience such as concentrates, perfumes and oils,” explains Alkalay.
Candles topped with flower petals are perfect for making your own potpourri, and another holiday best seller is a mini candle set including Italian blood orange, French lavender, Icelandic moonflower, Indian jasmine, Moroccan rose and ocean scents ($60).