GQ

Chandler Burr writes -

Get a Whiff of Independence.

Some guys stick to the indie stuff, labels so underground they need mining gear. So why shouldn’t they be just as discriminating about their cologne? Here, the scents, stores, and names they’ve been keeping to themselves.

There are those certain guys you know. It’s like they’ve curated each piece of their lives-the stovepipe jeans with the label you’ve never seen, the leather lace-ups from a Milanese maker you don’t know, the terrific piece of art by someone you’ve never heard of. And yes, they’ve even discovered an underground scent-one you haven’t the first clue about getting your hands on.

The fact is, there’s snobbery in the fragrance world just like in everything else. And while there are plenty of indie brands and perfumers that take their juice seriousIy, just because it’s off the beaten path doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. (And just because it’s big-name doesn’t mean it’s bad; labels like Gucci, Prada, and Givenchy put out plenty of terrific stuff.) So if you’re interested in going the indie route-finding the fragrance equivalent of a Rick Owens leather jacket-here are the names and places that matter.

Let’s start in New York City. Aedes de Venustas (www.aedes.com) is a small shop at 9 Christopher Street. Ring. They’ll buzz you in. What you get for your effort is one of the worId’s most amazing scent collections. Ask for Menthe FraĆ®che, a bracing green liquid wonder from James Heeley, whose scents are as unknown as they are astounding.

Article: Chandler Burr