Heritage
A house, in its own words
Brigitte Witschi established Art of Scent in Bern, Switzerland, positioning her studio in the Kramburgi quarter of the city's old town, an area with historical roots in the Swiss capital. The founding philosophy centered on treating perfumery as a creative art form rather than industrial manufacturing. Witschi began developing her own fragrance line while operating a studio that also offered personalized scent consultations and blending experiences for clients seeking bespoke compositions. The brand's Swiss identity runs deep, with Witschi frequently drawing upon her homeland's natural heritage as source material. Fragrances like Aarewasser reference the Aare River that flows through Bern, while Jungfrau takes its name from the famous Bernese Alps mountain. The Bergduft (Mountain Scent) series explicitly invokes Alpine flora, with Alpine Rose and Edelweiss editions released in 2008. Additional releases through 2010 and beyond expanded the collection's range while maintaining the house's commitment to original, artistically-driven perfumery. Witschi has also conducted perfume workshops internationally, including sessions in San Francisco, where participants create personalized fragrances under her guidance. The house has remained independent throughout its existence, with Witschi retaining full creative control over every aspect of formulation and production. Witschi approaches perfumery as a form of artistic expression, emphasizing the creative process and individuality over commercial formulas. Her brand manifesto centers on the belief that scent is deeply personal and should reflect the unique identity of each wearer or space it inhabits. This philosophy shapes both her ready-to-wear collection and her bespoke services, which invite clients into the creative process rather than simply offering finished products. The emphasis on art and uniqueness appears deliberate, positioning Art of Scent against standardized mass-market alternatives. Witschi has spoken about creating scents that tell stories, drawing connections between fragrance and memory, landscape, and emotional experience. Her Swiss identity influences this approach, with Alpine and lacustrine imagery recurring as both literal and metaphorical touchstones. The studio setting reinforces this intimate, craft-oriented ethos, allowing direct interaction between creator and client rather than mediating the relationship through retail channels.