The Heritage
The Story of B.ATES
B.ATES is an Istanbul‑based fragrance house founded in 2009 by Turkish entrepreneur Bünyamin ATEŞ. The label produces a compact catalogue of niche scents, most recently a 2022 series that includes Amber Cedar, Leather Oud, Bitter Almond Liquor, Oriental Woody, Amber Woody and Citrus Woody. Each composition is presented in a minimalist bottle that reflects the brand’s focus on clean lines and a restrained visual language. B.ATES positions itself at the intersection of olfactory art and graphic design, offering collectors a curated experience that feels both contemporary and rooted in Istanbul’s historic perfume culture.
Heritage
The story of B.ATES begins in 2009 when Bünyamin ATEŞ, who had spent years working in graphic design and visual branding, decided to translate his aesthetic sensibilities into scent. Istanbul, a city long celebrated for its spice markets and perfume workshops, provided a fertile backdrop for the venture. Early on, the brand partnered with local artisans to develop packaging that echoed the simplicity of modern Turkish design while honoring traditional craftsmanship. Over the next decade, B.ATES expanded its portfolio modestly, preferring depth over breadth. In 2022 the house released a coordinated set of six fragrances—Amber Cedar, Leather Oud, Bitter Almond Liquor, Oriental Woody, Amber Woody and Citrus Woody—each exploring a different facet of the amber and woody families while maintaining a cohesive tonal thread. The launch was accompanied by a limited‑edition packaging run that featured hand‑cut wooden caps and matte glass, underscoring the brand’s commitment to tactile quality. Though the company remains relatively small, it has cultivated a loyal following among collectors who appreciate its disciplined approach to both scent and form. The brand continues to operate from its Istanbul studio, where fragrance development, bottle design, and marketing converge under ATEŞ’s direction.
Craftsmanship
Production at B.ATES unfolds in a small studio where perfumers, designers, and quality controllers collaborate closely. Raw materials are sourced from a mix of domestic Turkish farms—such as Anatolian cedar and local amber resin—and international partners known for high‑grade oud, sandalwood, and citrus extracts. Each ingredient arrives with documentation of its origin, allowing the team to verify purity and ethical harvesting practices. The blending process follows a strict protocol: base notes are introduced first, followed by heart and top accords, with each stage monitored for consistency. After formulation, the perfume is left to mature in temperature‑controlled vats for several weeks, a period that allows the molecular structure to stabilize. Bottles are hand‑finished in Istanbul; glass is cut to precise dimensions, then polished and fitted with wooden or metal caps that are laser‑etched with the brand’s logo. Packaging design undergoes multiple iterations, balancing aesthetic appeal with functional protection of the fragrance. Final quality checks include olfactory testing by senior perfumers and visual inspection of the bottle and label. Only batches that meet the house’s exacting standards proceed to market, ensuring that every B.ATES release maintains a uniform level of craftsmanship.
Design Language
Visually, B.ATES embraces a minimalist aesthetic that mirrors its olfactory restraint. Bottles are typically clear or frosted glass with clean, straight lines, allowing the perfume’s colour to become a subtle focal point. Labels feature a sans‑serif typeface derived from the founder’s graphic background, often rendered in monochrome to emphasize simplicity. Caps are crafted from natural wood, brushed metal, or matte black acrylic, each chosen to complement the scent’s character—dark walnut for Leather Oud, light ash for Citrus Woody, for example. The brand’s marketing collateral continues this visual language, using high‑contrast photography that isolates the bottle against neutral backgrounds, paired with concise copy that avoids hyperbole. In retail settings, displays are constructed from reclaimed wood and steel, reinforcing the narrative of sustainable luxury. This cohesive visual strategy extends to the brand’s website, where navigation is straightforward, and product pages present scent notes in a clean, tabular format, allowing collectors to compare fragrances without distraction.
Philosophy
B.ATES treats perfume composition as a form of musical arrangement. The founder has described notes as “musical notes,” a metaphor that informs the house’s creative process. Rather than layering scents indiscriminately, the brand seeks harmonic balance, allowing each ingredient to play a distinct role within a unified chord. This approach encourages restraint; a fragrance is built around a central theme—often an amber or woody motif—and secondary notes are introduced only when they enhance the overall melody. The house also values transparency in sourcing, preferring ingredients that can be traced to reputable growers in Turkey, the Mediterranean basin, or established overseas suppliers. Sustainability is a guiding principle, with the brand opting for recyclable packaging materials and minimizing waste during production. B.ATES aims to create scents that feel timeless yet relevant, offering wearers a sensory experience that resonates with personal memory while remaining anchored in contemporary design sensibilities.
Key Milestones
2009
B.ATES founded in Istanbul by Bünyamin ATEŞ, merging graphic design expertise with fragrance creation.
2014
First flagship boutique opened in the Beyoğlu district, showcasing the brand’s early scent line and bespoke packaging.
2018
Introduced a limited‑edition amber‑focused fragrance that received coverage in niche perfume blogs for its balanced composition.
2022
Released a coordinated series of six fragrances—Amber Cedar, Leather Oud, Bitter Almond Liquor, Oriental Woody, Amber Woody and Citrus Woody—each exploring a distinct facet of the amber and woody families.
2023
Partnered with a local Istanbul woodcraft cooperative to produce hand‑finished bottle caps from sustainably harvested walnut.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
Turkey
Founded
2009
Heritage
17
Years active
Collection
1
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.0
Community sentiment