The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Ibere means "the beginning" in Yoruba, and FOOPE named it as exactly that, a starting point. A bold statement framed by 1,000 words, marking a significant moment for the house in fragrance. The composition raises questions about self-confidence, resilience, and freedom, asking what those qualities actually smell like when they land on skin. Perfumer Kamila Lelakova translated that intent into a woody composition grounded in lavender and amber, with grapefruit and bergamot opening the path alongside black pepper for a sharper first impression. Sources vary slightly on the full note structure, but what's clear is the intent: a scent that reads as identity, worn without apology, built for the person writing their own rules.
The structural choice here is interesting. Instead of leaning on the usual gravitational suspects in woody-ambers, Lelakova pulls that weight toward lavender and a soft, woody texture that Fragrantica lists as Kashmir wood and Parfumo lists simply as Cashmere. Lavender carries a herbaceous bite that keeps the composition from going too sweet, while that woody note delivers a suede-like warmth without veering into powder.
The evolution
First 30 minutes, the grapefruit does the talking. Bright, slightly bitter, with black pepper lending a sharp, almost spicy heat underneath, and bergamot adding a softer citrus facet that rounds the opening. The lavender arrives quiet but steady, giving the composition an herbal anchor that keeps the citrus from flying off. By the 45-minute mark, lavender has fully taken over. Not the sharp, medicinal lavender of a cologne, but something rounder, cushioned by a soft, fabric-like warmth from what Fragrantica calls Kashmir wood and Parfumo lists as Cashmere. The composition breathes here, settling into a middle phase that smells like a worn-in jacket lining. Two hours in, the base starts its slow work. Amber and vetiver build a woody-amber backbone that feels solid without being heavy.
Cultural impact
Ibere sits within FOOPE's catalog as a woody-amber composition, with lavender and amber doing the structural work. Its aromatic woody profile places it near other lavender-amber fragrances in the broader landscape, and Parfumo's "also liked" section lists comparisons like Maison Margiela's Jazz Club and By the Fireplace, suggesting the scent occupies a similar territory for collectors browsing the platform. It reads as a composition for someone who wants something distinctive without leaning on traditional perfumery codes.
The House
FOOPEFOOPE is a Toronto-based fragrance house built on the conviction that scent is a form of self-expression accessible to everyone. Founded by Femi Oloruntoba, a self-described fragrance obsessive who has amassed a collection reportedly numbering around 2,000 perfumes, the brand emerged to serve an audience often underserved by traditional perfumery. The house produces vegan, cruelty-free fragrances with an intentionally chaotic and playful character. Signature releases including Ibere, 3910, Cherry Wonderland, Grunge Rock Tuberose, and Ifé demonstrate a range that spans geographic inspiration, musical subcultures, and cultural reference points. Operating at the intersection of clean beauty principles and irreverent creativity, FOOPE positions itself as an alternative to stuffy fragrance conventions, speaking directly to younger consumers who view scent as an extension of identity rather than a luxury status symbol.
The Creator
Kamila LelakovaKamila favors the classical method: she builds a formula by adding one material at a time, tasting each shift before moving on. She reaches for Mediterranean citrus, tropical coconut and warm sandalwood, then balances them with subtle green notes and soft musks.
