Justin McLamore
Justin McLamore approaches fragrance the way a skilled chef approaches cooking—with instinct, intention, and an understanding that the best things feel inevitable rather than complicated. Based in Atlanta, he built his craft entirely outside the traditional perfumery path, learning the mechanics of scent composition through years of hands-on experimentation rather than formal training in Grasse or New York. His journey began with the Mack n Gosh project, where he developed his voice as a creator who makes no apologies for wanting fragrance to be felt by real people, not just discussed by collectors. When he launched his own label, Justin B Perfume, he brought that philosophy with him, releasing two collections that reveal different facets of his sensibility. What sets McLamore apart is his refusal to treat perfume as status object or conversation piece. His guiding belief is simple and stated plainly: perfume is not magic, but sometimes when you put it on, the rest just falls into place. That practical mysticism has earned him a loyal following among people who want fragrance to function in their lives, not dominate it. He has stayed deliberately independent, building something personal without investors or industry backing, and that independence shapes everything from his pricing to his direct relationship with customers. Atlanta has given him a particular perspective—southern hospitality filtered through urban indie culture, where warmth and edge are not opposites. He continues to develop new work under the Justin B Perfume name, with an approach that feels neither like rebellion nor tradition, but something quieter: a craftsman who knows his market is not everyone, and that is precisely the point.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Justin composes
The 'black perfume' reference McLamore uses is not mere marketing language—it points to a specific aesthetic within his work. He gravitates toward deeply atmospheric compositions that suggest warmth, depth, and a certain nocturnal quality without relying on the same notes found in mainstream darker fragrances. His gourmand instincts run strong, but he interprets edible notes with an indie sensibility that separates his work from conventional sweet fragrances. Vanilla, chocolate, and warm spice appear in his compositions, but always with an unexpected counterpoint that prevents them from becoming predictable. What marks his technical approach is patience: he builds scents that develop over wear time rather than hitting all at once. His indie ethos means he works without the constraints of commercial fragrance production, choosing quality materials over cost efficiency. The two collections currently available under Justin B Perfume demonstrate his range—one more classically warm and inviting, one pushing into darker, more complex territory. Both share a commitment to creating fragrance that feels personal rather than performative.
Philosophy
What drives Justin
McLamore describes his perfumes with refreshing directness: they are not magic, but they help. This understated philosophy reveals a creator who prioritizes function alongside beauty, and who resists the grandiosity that often surrounds fragrance marketing. He built his entire approach on the premise that perfume should settle something in the wearer, not announce arrival or demand attention. His indie positioning is not accidental—it reflects a genuine belief that the best fragrance experiences should not require expert knowledge or substantial investment. He speaks to people who want to smell good without becoming connoisseurs, and he does so without condescension. The influence of his southern background surfaces in his emphasis on warmth and hospitality, translated into scent language. He believes fragrance should feel like an invitation, not a test. His work resists gatekeeping by making bold, characterful scents that reward attention without requiring it. McLamore's philosophy could be summarized as democratic ambition: he wants to make memorable perfume for people who simply want to smell good, and he refuses to apologize for that scope.
The houses