Heritage
A house, in its own words
The story of Scotch & Soda begins in Amsterdam in 1985 when Laurent Hompes launched the brand as a wholesale operation. What started as a modest venture selling clothing through wholesale channels eventually grew into a full-fledged fashion retail company that would become synonymous with the liberal, free-spirited identity of its Dutch home city. The name itself, Scotch & Soda, evokes the straightforward simplicity of a classic highball drink, reflecting an approachable aesthetic that would distinguish the brand from more formal fashion houses. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the company expanded its retail presence across Europe, building a loyal following drawn to its colorful, optimistic approach to design. The decision to enter perfumery came in 2012 with the launch of Barfly, a signature fragrance meant to capture the essence of the brand's brick-and-mortar stores. According to company communications, each scent was designed to have its own distinct character and detail, meant to be experienced within the brand's retail environment. The fragrance line remained relatively compact through the late 2010s before a significant expansion in 2019 with dedicated male and female formulations. The 2020 pandemic year brought the Island Water duo, suggesting a pivot toward fresher, more escapist themes. By 2022, the brand introduced the I Am Scotch & Soda collection, representing its most ambitious fragrance undertaking to date, with eau de parfum concentrations positioned at a higher tier than previous releases.
Amsterdam has long been associated with progressive thinking, artistic freedom, and an easygoing attitude toward self-expression. Scotch & Soda positions its fragrance line as an extension of these values, creating scents that function as personal signatures rather than status symbols. The brand's approach emphasizes individuality, encouraging wearers to select fragrances that reflect their own character rather than conforming to seasonal trends or gender conventions. When expanding into fragrance, the company reportedly sought to create scents that would resonate with the same customer who gravitates toward its clothing collections, people who value authenticity and creative self-expression. The I Am collection launched in 2022 marked a deliberate statement of identity, with the naming convention itself suggesting personal declaration rather than marketing appeal. Rather than positioning fragrances as collectible luxury items, the brand has maintained a more democratic approach, making its scents accessible to a broader audience within its retail ecosystem. This philosophy aligns with the brand's origins in wholesale and its growth through accessible retail rather than exclusive boutique positioning.