Sensorial Sanctum – Le Labo Potts Point

Since its birth in February 2006, Le Labo has kindled a culture of slow and gentle perfumery. The French-inspired, American-made brand is rewriting the narrative for fragrance formulation, with meticulously handcrafted compositions created with the highest quality ingredients. Its store at Potts Point in Sydney is its third and latest outpost in Australia, offering a highly tailored sensorial experience that honours the brand’s time-honoured values.

When Fabrice Penot and Eddie Roschi established their first Le Labo store in New York in 2006, their intention was to start a slow perfumery with transparent processes and zero-harm practices. The pair, who had trained in perfumery in the French city of Grasse (historically the world’s perfume capital), were inspired by the idea that beauty is more beautiful when no one has to suffer for it. Thus, Le Labo was conceived as a response to the state of modern perfumery. The company advocates minimum-waste production, stands against animal-derived ingredients and animal testing and works with ingredient partners who echo their ethical standard.

Le Labo was conceived as a response to the state of modern perfumery. The company advocates minimum-waste production, stands against animal-derived ingredients and animal testing, and works with ingredient partners who echo their ethical standard.

Le Labo, which translates to ‘the lab’ in French, is true to its name. Its boutiques in Australia, like those around the world, are designed like artisanal laboratories where patrons can inhale and interact with raw ingredients as they like. Each formulation is hand-blended and made to order, to ensure that it retains the fullness of its fragrance, especially its delicate top notes. Likewise, each label can be personalised with the date and place of the formulation, as well as a message of the client’s choice. Many ingredients used in the formulations are sourced directly from Grasse, holding a mirror to the brand’s place of inspiration. Its repertoire includes 19 genderless perfumes and 12 candles, in addition to a grooming line and other sensorial formulas for body, hair and face.

A culture of community is ingrained in Le Labo’s ethos. Its tradition of slow perfumery is made possible by its global community of craftspeople, including flower harvesters, local farmers, candle pourers and reclaimed wood artisans, amongst many others. Its commitment to high quality and honest craftsmanship is reflected in its resistance to traditional marketing machinery. For example, the brand goes against the grain by eschewing flamboyant packaging, marketing gimmicks, loud messaging and celebrity collaborations in service of carefully crafted products that speak for themselves.

Le Labo’s earth-rooted philosophy is reflected in its store designs. The new Potts Point boutique echoes the brand’s rustic signature with distressed wallpaper, reclaimed sinks, cracked tiles, and locally sourced vintage and reclaimed metal and timber furniture. Designed as an “olfactory playground”, there are plenty of opportunities for customers to smell, test and pause, rendering an experience that lasts well beyond the confines of the store.