The Story
Why it exists.
Top Shelf emerged from Elise Walraven’s 2019 desire to bottle the raw, unrefined moments she sketches beside the Wairarapa footbridge. Naming the scent after the highest shelf in a modest workshop, she set out to capture the grit of burnt wood, tobacco smoke and the untamed animalic pulse that defines the house’s early catalogue.
If this were a song
Community picks
Blue in Green
Miles Davis
The Beginning
Top Shelf emerged from Elise Walraven’s 2019 desire to bottle the raw, unrefined moments she sketches beside the Wairarapa footbridge. Naming the scent after the highest shelf in a modest workshop, she set out to capture the grit of burnt wood, tobacco smoke and the untamed animalic pulse that defines the house’s early catalogue.
Choosing ash from native Totara, a smoldering timber that whispers forest fire, she paired it with New Zealand ambergris and a daring dose of civet. The blend pushes the boundary between smoky resin and primal musk, turning what could be a simple tobacco accord into a layered, almost tactile experience that feels both familiar and unsettling.
The Evolution
The opening erupts with a burst of ash‑laden tobacco, a dry, burnt whisper that settles on the skin like a match struck in a cold cellar. Within minutes, leather unfurls, soft yet firm, wrapping the smoke in a supple coat while the ash continues to smolder beneath. As the composition dries, the animalic heart asserts itself: civet and black musk rise, their raw heat amplified by New Zealand ambergris, while amber adds a warm, resinous glow. The drydown lingers for eight to ten hours, leaving a smoky, musky veil that trails like a whispered secret in a dim bar.
Cultural Impact
Since its 2019 debut, Top Shelf has cultivated a niche following among collectors who prize its unapologetic animalic edge. Wearers often describe it as the scent of a late‑night barroom conversation, and its strong sillage makes it a statement piece in underground music venues and art‑house gatherings. The fragrance’s bold character has sparked lively debate on forums, cementing its status as a polarising yet beloved staple in the indie perfume community.
The House
New Zealand · Est. 2019
One Way Bridge Perfumes is an indie fragrance house rooted in the Wairaranga region of New Zealand. Since its first release in 2019 the label has built a catalogue that reads like a series of personal postcards – each scent carries a story, a place, a mood. The brand produces limited‑run, hand‑blended perfumes that favor raw expression over polished conformity. Its offerings, such as Date With a Dame (2019) and Loot ’n Boots (2023), have attracted a niche following among collectors who appreciate the unfiltered character of a scent that feels both familiar and surprising.
If this were a song
Community picks
A smoky lounge at midnight, leather chairs creaking, a low‑key jazz trio playing, the air thick with ash and animalic whispers.
Blue in Green
Miles Davis
