Heritage
A house, in its own words
Chris Collins, a former runway model who grew up in Brooklyn, launched Brooklyn Soap Company after years of experimenting with home‑made soaps in his kitchen. In 2015 he released The Woods Beginning, a fragrance built around cedar, pine and a hint of amber, which quickly attracted attention from niche‑fragrance blogs for its unpretentious approach. The following year the company expanded its product range to include hand‑poured soy candles and artisanal bar soaps, all produced in a modest loft on the Williamsburg waterfront. 2017 saw the release of The Woods New Level, a refinement that added subtle spice and softened the original’s sharp edges, signaling the brand’s willingness to revisit and evolve its own creations. By 2018 Brooklyn Soap Company partnered with a local Brooklyn artist to redesign its packaging, introducing recycled glass bottles and labels printed on reclaimed paper. The pandemic of 2020 forced the studio to shift entirely online; Collins used the downtime to refine sourcing practices, establishing direct relationships with U.S. farms for essential oils and natural butters. In 2022 the brand introduced a refill program for its candles, reducing waste and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable production. Throughout its growth, the company has remained rooted in the borough’s industrial aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s warehouses, street art and community gardens. The brand’s story reflects a broader movement of small‑scale makers who prioritize craft, locality and a sense of place over mass‑market ambition. Brooklyn Soap Company believes that scent should capture the ordinary rather than chase the extraordinary. Its creative vision centers on translating the sounds, textures and smells of daily Brooklyn life into olfactory experiences. The brand values transparency, sourcing ingredients that can be traced back to regional growers whenever possible. It avoids synthetic shortcuts, opting instead for natural essential oils, plant‑based waxes and responsibly harvested woods. Community drives the company’s decisions; feedback from local customers shapes new releases, and collaborations with neighborhood artists keep the visual language fresh. Sustainability informs every step, from using recycled packaging to offering refillable containers that extend product life. The philosophy also embraces a modest pace: rather than flooding the market with seasonal drops, the label releases a handful of carefully considered scents each year, allowing each fragrance to settle into the lives of its users.