Heritage
A house, in its own words
TEKES takes its name from the Hebrew word for 'ceremony,' a detail that anchors the brand's identity and storytelling from its earliest days. The house was founded in 2020 by Yarin Kedem and Sean Mizrahi, two close friends who shared a vision for creating fragrance as something to be savored and felt rather than simply consumed. Both founders brought personal creative backgrounds to the project, and the partnership between them remains central to how the brand presents itself publicly. Though TEKES is a young American house, its production roots extend across the Atlantic. Every perfume and candle is made in Grasse, France, a region synonymous with the craft of fine fragrance for centuries. This dual identity, an American creative vision expressed through French manufacturing heritage, became a defining characteristic of the brand from the outset. The house kept a relatively quiet profile during its first few years, focusing on development before bringing its first scents to market. In 2024, TEKES released its initial fragrance collection, including Yafo Suede, Bergamot, Wild Rose, and Arava. These launches introduced the brand's approach to fragrance design, drawing on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean references while employing French perfumery traditions. The following year, in 2025, the house expanded its lineup with Eversun, signaling continued growth and a commitment to building the collection deliberately. Press coverage in outlets such as PR Fragrance Review has tracked the brand's emergence, noting its positioning within the broader niche fragrance landscape. At the core of TEKES is an emotion-led approach to fragrance creation. The founders describe their work as rooted in feeling, memory, and the small ceremonies of daily life, a perspective shaped by the brand's Hebrew naming and its founders' interest in intentional self-care. Rather than chasing trends or mass-market appeal, TEKES positions itself as a house for those who live in the detail, people who notice the difference between scents and who value the pauses that fragrance can create. The brand's creative vision draws on a sense of old-world mastery, a respect for the traditions and techniques that have defined fine perfumery for generations. This manifests not as nostalgia but as a standard of craft and care. Kedem and Mizrahi have spoken about wanting their products to be experienced rather than consumed, suggesting a philosophy that treats fragrance as an act of presence rather than a simple purchase. TEKES also reflects a distinctly personal sensibility. The founders' friendship is part of the brand's narrative, and that closeness informs the tone of the house: collaborative, considered, and unhurried. The emphasis on ceremony, rituals, and reflection suggests an audience the brand envisions as thoughtful and discerning, people who treat scent as one element of a broader aesthetic and emotional life. The result is a creative direction that prizes emotional resonance over novelty.