The Heritage
The Story of OHTOP
OHTOP is a Franco‑Korean fragrance house that emerged in Paris in 2021. Founded by Romeo Oh, the brand began with a line of unisex cosmetics before expanding into perfume in 2023. Its catalogue blends Korean botanical notes such as shiso and yuzu with a contemporary French aesthetic, offering a concise selection of unisex scents that speak to a cross‑cultural sensibility.
Heritage
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.
Craftsmanship
Every OHTOP fragrance is assembled in a Parisian atelier that blends traditional French compounding techniques with a modern, ingredient‑first mindset. The house sources raw materials from both established European suppliers and boutique Asian growers, ensuring traceability for each botanical extract. For example, the yuzu used in Okto comes from a cooperative on Jeju Island that practices organic cultivation, while the oud in Air Oud is obtained from a vetted supplier in the United Arab Emirates who provides a sustainably harvested wood oil. Formulations are built on a base of high‑purity alcohol distilled in France, mixed in small batches to preserve nuance. Quality control includes a double‑blind sensory evaluation by a panel of perfumers and fragrance consultants, followed by a stability test that runs for six months to confirm scent integrity. Bottles are hand‑blown by glass artisans in the Loire Valley, then fitted with aluminum caps that are recyclable. The brand also employs a minimalist packaging philosophy: matte black boxes with embossed lettering, printed with soy‑based inks, allowing the scent itself to become the focal point. This attention to detail, from ingredient provenance to final presentation, underscores OHTOP’s commitment to refined, responsible craftsmanship.
Design Language
Visually, OHTOP embraces a stark, monochrome aesthetic that mirrors its olfactory restraint. Bottles are slender, cylindrical vessels of clear or smoked glass, often capped with brushed aluminum that catches the light without distracting from the scent. Labels feature a simple sans‑serif typeface, the brand name rendered in uppercase, and a subtle Korean character that hints at the founder’s heritage. The packaging palette is dominated by black, white and muted greys, with occasional accent colors drawn from the fragrance’s key note—such as a soft green for shiso‑centric Paranoïaque or a deep amber for Air Oud. Marketing imagery favors clean studio shots, where the bottle rests on textured surfaces like concrete or raw wood, emphasizing materiality over narrative. In retail, OHTOP creates compact, curated displays that allow each scent to breathe, reinforcing the brand’s belief that perfume should be experienced in a calm, focused environment rather than a crowded shelf. This visual restraint aligns with the house’s broader ethos of letting scent speak for itself.
Philosophy
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.
Key Milestones
2021
OHTOP founded in Paris by Romeo Oh; launch of unisex cosmetics line.
2023
First perfume collection released, including Paranoïaque and I Hate Rose, marking the brand’s entry into perfumery.
2024
Second wave of fragrances launched—Half Moon, Okto, Air Oud—expanding the scent portfolio and reinforcing the unisex approach.
2025
Introduction of sustainable packaging standards, featuring recyclable glass bottles and soy‑based inks for boxes.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
France
Founded
2021
Heritage
5
Years active
Collection
1
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.0
Community sentiment
Release Rhythm