The Heritage
The Story of Moth and Rabbit Perfumes
Moth and Rabbit creates contemporary niche fragrances that read like short films. Founded in Berlin in 2016 by Elke Filpes and Christian Choi, the house treats scent as a narrative medium, turning cinematic moments into olfactory stories. Each bottle invites the wearer to step into a scene, whether it is the restless energy of a teenage romance or the quiet tension of a midnight shoreline. The brand balances experimental composition with a clear, minimalist aesthetic, making every launch feel like a fresh script waiting to be performed on the skin.
Heritage
In 2016 Elke Filpes and Christian Choi launched Moth and Rabbit in a modest Berlin studio. Their shared background in visual arts and a love for independent cinema shaped the brand’s first concept: to translate filmic emotion into perfume. The debut fragrance, released in 2019, was Clueless, a scent that captured the restless optimism of late‑1990s teen culture. The following year the duo introduced The Virgins, a composition inspired by the raw intimacy of early love, followed by Mood Indigo in 2021, a tribute to the melancholic hues of a classic French drama. By 2022 the house expanded its narrative scope with The Lobster, a scent that references the absurdist film of the same name, and in 2023 Moth and Rabbit opened a second atelier in Paris, allowing the brand to source ingredients from both German and French suppliers. 2025 marked the release of Challengers, a limited edition that paired the competitive spirit of sport with a daring aromatic structure. Throughout its first decade the brand has remained independent, avoiding large‑scale distribution in favor of curated boutique placements and direct‑to‑consumer channels. This approach has kept the creative process intimate, letting Filpes and Choi maintain hands‑on control over each scent’s development, packaging, and storytelling.
Craftsmanship
The production process begins in the Berlin atelier, where Filpes and Choi meet with a rotating roster of perfumers, including veteran Mark Buxton, to draft the initial accord. They source natural ingredients from certified farms in France, Italy, and Madagascar, while synthetic components come from reputable European manufacturers that meet REACH standards. Once the formula is approved, the blend moves to a Paris laboratory for maceration, a step that allows the complex layers to integrate over several weeks. The house employs small‑batch distillation for essential oils, preserving the nuanced character of each raw material. Quality control includes gas‑chromatography analysis to verify concentration levels and ensure consistency across batches. Bottles are hand‑filled in a climate‑controlled environment to prevent premature oxidation. The brand also commissions independent auditors to review its supply chain annually, confirming that ingredients such as sandalwood and ambergris substitutes meet ethical sourcing criteria. By combining artisanal techniques with modern analytical tools, Moth and Rabbit maintains a high standard of olfactory fidelity while keeping the creative process flexible enough to accommodate experimental ideas.
Design Language
Visually, Moth and Rabbit favors a minimalist silhouette that lets the fragrance speak for itself. Bottles feature clear glass with a thin, matte black cap, echoing the monochrome palettes of classic cinema. Labels display the title of the referenced film in a simple sans‑serif typeface, accompanied by a small, abstract illustration that hints at the story’s core image. The packaging uses recycled cardboard with subtle spot‑UV accents, reinforcing the brand’s sustainability stance. Promotional photography often shows the bottle placed against stark, architectural backdrops, highlighting the contrast between the scent’s narrative depth and its clean exterior. In Paris, the brand’s boutique interior mirrors this approach: white walls, soft track lighting, and a curated selection of vintage film posters create an environment where visitors can explore the olfactory stories while feeling immersed in a gallery space. The overall aesthetic balances contemporary design with a nod to the house’s cinematic inspiration, making each product feel like a limited‑edition art piece rather than a mass‑market commodity.
Philosophy
Moth and Rabbit treats perfume as a storytelling tool rather than a decorative accessory. The founders believe that scent can convey the same subtext as a camera angle or a line of dialogue, so they start each project by selecting a film, a scene, or a literary moment that resonates emotionally. They then distill the chosen narrative into a palette of notes that echo the original mood. The brand values authenticity, experimental composition, and a collaborative spirit with perfumers who share a cinematic sensibility. Rather than chasing trends, the house follows a research‑first approach: it watches the source material repeatedly, notes visual textures, and translates those impressions into aromatic ingredients. This method encourages risk‑taking, such as pairing unexpected accords or using rare natural extracts alongside synthetic aromachemicals to achieve a precise emotional tone. The philosophy also includes a commitment to sustainability; the team selects responsibly harvested raw materials and works with suppliers who provide traceability reports. By grounding each fragrance in a concrete story, Moth and Rabbit aims to create a personal memory trigger for the wearer, turning everyday moments into a private screening.
Key Milestones
2016
Elke Filpes and Christian Choi establish Moth and Rabbit in Berlin, defining a mission to fuse film narrative with perfume.
2019
Launch of Clueless, the first fragrance that directly references a specific film era, gaining attention in niche perfume circles.
2021
Release of Mood Indigo, marking the brand’s first collaboration with veteran perfumer Mark Buxton.
2023
Opening of a second atelier in Paris, expanding sourcing options and enabling cross‑border production.
2025
Challengers debuts as a limited‑edition series, celebrating competitive spirit through an unconventional scent structure.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
Germany
Founded
2016
Heritage
10
Years active
Collection
3
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.0
Community sentiment
Release Rhythm