Filigree & Shadow was founded in Seattle by perfumer James Elliott as an independent fragrance house that explores the intersection of memory, place and story. Rather than following trends, each collection explores its own narrative through carefully crafted compositions that blend technical precision with emotional depth.
The house gained recognition for fragrances inspired by literature, history, architecture and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The collection has been praised by perfume writers, critics and enthusiasts for its thoughtful approach to contemporary perfumery. Although Filigree & Shadow brought its original chapter to a close in 2025, its work lives on in a carefully curated archive and publications, including Creating Your Own Perfume.
James Elliott
James Elliott is an American perfumer, writer and lecturer based in Amsterdam. As a self-taught perfumer, he began exploring the art of perfumery in 2011, after which he founded Filigree & Shadow, a fragrance house centred on memory, identity and a strong sense of place.
As well as creating perfumes, Elliott has made a name for himself by making perfumery more accessible through workshops, lectures and educational publications. His book Creating Your Own Perfume has introduced readers all over the world to the art and science of perfume-making.
Today, Elliott is the founder of émigré, an Amsterdam boutique dedicated to independent perfumery. Drawing on more than ten years’ experience as a perfumer and retailer, he curates a selection of fragrance houses from around the world, whilst remaining committed to craftsmanship, originality and contemporary artistic perfumery.
