Heritage
A house, in its own words
Romeo Oh launched OHTOP in the spring of 2021, positioning the label at the intersection of fashion, beauty and cultural memory. The initial offering comprised a modest range of unisex skincare and makeup, each product stamped with a minimalist Parisian label and a subtle nod to Korean ingredients. By late 2022, Oh had assembled a small team of formulators and began experimenting with olfactory structures that could translate his heritage into scent. The first perfume collection arrived in 2023, introducing fragrances such as Paranoïaque and I Hate Rose, which quickly attracted attention for their unapologetic use of shiso leaf, yuzu peel and other East‑Asian aromatics. In 2024 the house released a second wave of scents—Half Moon, Okto and Air Oud—each expanding the brand’s palette while maintaining a disciplined, gender‑fluid approach. Throughout its short history OHTOP has remained independent, avoiding large‑scale distribution in favor of curated boutique placements and direct‑to‑consumer sales. The label’s evolution reflects a deliberate pacing: a cosmetics debut, a perfumery entry, and a rapid yet measured expansion of its olfactory library, all while preserving a clear visual identity rooted in clean lines and monochrome packaging. OHTOP’s creative vision rests on the idea that scent can act as a bridge between disparate cultural narratives. Romeo Oh describes his work as a dialogue between the Korean palate—rich in citrus, herbaceous greens and fermented notes—and the French tradition of structure and refinement. The brand values authenticity, insisting that each ingredient be sourced with respect for its origin, whether that means partnering with small farms in Jeju Island for yuzu or selecting French‑grown lavender for balance. OHTOP rejects overt gender labeling, opting instead for a unisex language that invites wearers to define the fragrance on their own terms. Sustainability also informs the philosophy; the label prefers recyclable glass, minimal plastic, and formulations that avoid animal testing. By foregrounding story over spectacle, OHTOP aims to create scents that feel both personal and universally resonant, encouraging a quiet confidence rather than a loud proclamation.