FRAGRANCE CLASSIFICATION
| Category | Definition | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Niche | Independent fragrance houses focused on creative expression over mass appeal | Selective distribution, unconventional formulas, not available in department stores, founded by perfumers or fragrance-first entrepreneurs |
| Natural Ingredients | Brands whose core identity is built around natural, organic or sustainably sourced raw materials | Explicit claim of natural/organic ingredients, certifications (COSMOS, Ecocert), avoidance of synthetics as brand philosophy |
| Wellness and Holistic | Brands that approach fragrance as a tool for emotional wellbeing, mindfulness or therapeutic benefit | Aromatherapy focus, mood-based narratives, crossover with wellness lifestyle (meditation, yoga, healing rituals) |
| Artisanal | Small-scale or micro-production houses where craftsmanship and hands-on creation are central to the brand identity | Micro-batch production, founder-made or small team, direct-to-consumer focus, handcrafted packaging or formulation |
| Luxury House and High End | Prestigious maisons or ultra-premium brands with heritage, exclusivity and high price positioning | Price point €150+, prestigious origin or founding story, flagship stores, association with luxury lifestyle or royalty |
| Conceptual Artistic | Brands that treat fragrance as an artistic medium or philosophical statement | Avant-garde narratives, collaboration with artists, unconventional or provocative concepts, fragrance as wearable art |
| Modern and Minimalist | Brands built around clean aesthetics, simplicity and contemporary lifestyle values | Minimalist packaging, clean or transparent ingredient lists, simple naming conventions, lifestyle-forward branding |
| Curated Boutique | Multi-brand retailers or houses that act as editors of fragrance culture, selecting or creating collections with a strong curatorial point of view | Multi-brand portfolio or editorial voice, strong curation narrative, often tied to a specific aesthetic universe |
| Designer Brand | Fashion houses or lifestyle brands for which fragrance is an extension of a broader fashion or luxury goods identity | Parent company in fashion/accessories, fragrance line secondary to core business, widely distributed in department stores |
