Heritage
A house, in its own words
Korres began in 1992 with an aromatic herbal syrup made with honey and aniseed, inspired by rakomelo, a traditional Greek spirit with anise. This origin in edible botanicals and aromatic traditions would shape the company's approach to fragrance and wellness for years to come. While the company had already established itself in natural body care and home fragrance, For Kings & Queens represented a different creative direction. Rather than focusing only on contemporary moods and occasions, the collection explored figures from history and legend. Queen Sheba, King Solomon, and Ophir Gold all entered the range at its 2008 debut, drawing on stories of ancient rulers, biblical history, and the legendary wealth of Ophir. The names carry the grandeur and ceremonial quality associated with monarchy, but the framing is rooted in fragrance as a means of storytelling. The launch also fits a wider period for Korres, when the Greek brand was expanding its international presence and building recognition for botanical formulations. For Kings & Queens became a distinct chapter within that growth, one that connected the house's Greek identity with a more theatrical, character-led approach to perfumery. Korres' fragrance philosophy draws from the close relationship between plants and the natural world, a connection visible in the brand's origins and its emphasis on botanical formulations. For Kings & Queens extends this approach into a narrative framework, where each perfume begins with a historical or legendary character rather than a conventional mood board. Queen Sheba evokes a figure associated with wealth, wisdom, and distant lands, while King Solomon points toward a biblical king linked to knowledge, music, and courtly life. Ophir Gold references the legendary gold-bearing region, a place associated in ancient accounts with precious materials and precious stones. This character-based approach gives each scent an identity beyond its ingredient list, inviting wearers to explore stories through aroma. The collection also reflects Korres' Greek heritage, though its subjects reach beyond Greece into a wider Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultural landscape. For the brand, perfumery serves as a bridge between memory and imagination, between historical accounts and personal experience. The result is a range built around atmosphere and narrative, presenting fragrance as a form of cultural exploration.