Before I moved to Amsterdam, I ran Filigree & Shadow, an independent perfumery and fragrance studio in Seattle, for three years. During that time, together with our customers and perfumers, I built a community step by step. That experience showed me that, even in a market that sometimes seems overcrowded and dominated by marketing, there is still room for something different.
I believe that independent perfumers can thrive when a rising tide lifts all boats. When people are given the chance to discover different creators, styles and stories, everyone ultimately benefits. Émigré is therefore not a shop centred on trends, but on craftsmanship, curiosity and a love of perfume.
As a new immigrant to the Netherlands, the name émigré has a special meaning for me. It represents the start of a new chapter: building a new life, becoming part of the world around me and, at the same time, sharing something of my own world with others.
After months of preparations, discussions with perfumers and putting together our first collection, that idea is now slowly taking shape on Middenweg in Amsterdam-Oost. Whilst the shop is being fitted out, you can already explore our collection online.
Through this news page, I’ll take you behind the scenes. I’ll share updates on the shop’s progress, tell you about the perfumers I’m working with, and write about everything that inspires me in the world of independent perfumery.
Welcome to émigré. I’m delighted that you’re part of this journey right from the start.
See you soon!
James