Josh Meyer
Josh Meyer grew up in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by vinyl records and a family bookshelf that smelled of leather and ink. As a teenager he swapped mixtapes for scent strips, teaching himself the language of aroma by reading old perfume manuals and experimenting in a modest kitchen lab. After brief stints at boutique houses in New York and London, he returned home with a clear vision: a brand that tells stories through scent. In 2012 he launched Imaginary Authors, positioning each fragrance as a chapter in a fictional memoir. The debut collection earned praise from niche editors and quickly attracted a cult following. Over the past decade Meyer has kept the label independent, curating collaborations with writers, musicians, and visual artists. He continues to mentor young noses while expanding the line’s narrative universe.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Josh composes
Josh Meyer favors a narrative‑first approach, building a fragrance around a plot before selecting ingredients. He reaches for vintage materials such as Turkish rose, Haitian vetiver, and Madagascan vanilla, then mixes them with modern synthetics that add depth without overpowering the story. His dry‑down often reveals a hidden layer that only appears after several hours, rewarding patience. Meyer prefers to work in small batches, allowing precise control over temperature and timing, which he says preserves the integrity of each note.
Philosophy
What drives Josh
Josh Meyer treats perfume as a form of literature. He believes a scent should evoke a specific memory or imagined scene, not just linger on the skin. Each formula begins with a question—what would a character smell like in a rain‑soaked alley, or how would a forgotten diary release its scent? He answers that question by pairing unexpected accords with classic bases, letting the story unfold from top to dry‑down. Curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to break conventions drive his work, and he measures success by the emotional response of the wearer.
The houses
Maisons Josh composes for
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