Heritage
A house, in its own words
James Peterson grew up in New York and recalls the scent of his mother’s Vol de Nuit, a memory that later informed his desire to create wearable stories. In 2014, after friends encouraged him to share his home‑blended experiments, Peterson launched Brooklyn Perfume Company from a modest studio in Williamsburg. The first public collection debuted in early 2015, featuring four core fragrances—Amber, Musk, Sandalwood and Oud—each built around a single, well‑defined note. The launch received modest coverage in local lifestyle blogs, which highlighted the brand’s commitment to straightforward compositions and transparent pricing. By late 2015, BPC expanded its catalogue with lighter accords such as Violet Leaf, Neroli, Galbanum and Vetiver, allowing the house to explore both warm and fresh territories. In 2016 the company secured its first wholesale partnership with a boutique fragrance shop in Manhattan, marking the transition from a purely online model to a physical presence. The following years saw incremental growth: in 2018 BPC began shipping internationally, initially to Canada and the United Kingdom, and in 2020 the label introduced recyclable glass bottles and soy‑based caps to reduce its environmental footprint. A 2022 collaboration with a Brooklyn visual artist produced limited‑edition packaging that referenced the borough’s street art heritage. In 2024 the brand celebrated its ten‑year anniversary, a milestone noted on the founder’s Instagram account, where Peterson reflected on a decade of small‑batch production and community support. Throughout its history, BPC has remained a lean operation, relying on a network of freelance perfumers and small‑scale ingredient suppliers rather than a large corporate lab, a choice that preserves flexibility and a personal touch in every release. Brooklyn Perfume Company approaches scent as a dialogue between memory and material. The brand’s guiding principle is to let a single dominant ingredient tell a story, rather than layering multiple themes that compete for attention. This restraint reflects Peterson’s belief that fragrance should be approachable, yet capable of evoking a specific moment—whether it is the amber glow of a sunset or the crisp bite of a winter breeze. BPC emphasizes transparency: each product label lists the primary accord, the concentration (eau de parfum or eau de toilette) and the origin of key raw materials. The house also prioritizes ethical sourcing, working with suppliers who can certify sustainable harvests for ingredients such as oud and sandalwood. Community feedback informs future releases; Peterson frequently invites customers to share scent memories, which can inspire new compositions. The brand’s modest scale allows it to experiment with unconventional pairings—like combining galbanum with a soft vetiver base—without the pressure of large‑scale production runs. Ultimately, BPC aims to create fragrances that feel like a personal artifact, something a wearer can keep close and revisit over time.