Heritage
A house, in its own words
Victor Wong did not set out to become a perfumer. His background lies in video game design, a field he worked in before launching Zoologist Perfumes in 2013 in Toronto. The idea reportedly grew from Wong's personal interest in animalic perfume notes and a fascination with how animals perceive and produce scent. What began as a creative outlet quickly became something more serious after the brand gained traction among niche fragrance enthusiasts. Wong has described the venture as starting as a hobby that evolved organically. The brand takes its name from the animal kingdom, with each perfume bearing the name of a creature, from common animals like Rabbit and Bee to more unexpected choices like Squid, Civet, and Dragonfly. In 2016, Zoologist received notable media attention with articles in The Independent and The New York Times examining the trend of animal-themed fragrances among younger consumers. The Hindu also profiled the brand in 2017 under the feature 'Animal Instinct.' As the house expanded, Wong brought in external perfumers to compose individual fragrances, creating a collaborative model where each nose contributed their expertise to different animal concepts. This approach allowed the brand to explore diverse olfactory territories while maintaining a cohesive creative identity.
Zoologist operates on the belief that animals offer endless inspiration for fragrance. Their habitats, behaviors, appearances, and even their natural smells become material for creative exploration. The brand sees animals as reflecting human qualities: their cunning, agility, and moments of warmth and playfulness. Rather than simply replicating animal scents, Zoologist uses them as conceptual anchors for olfactory stories that range from literal to abstract. The philosophy extends to ethical considerations. Zoologist explicitly avoids animal-derived musks, substituting high-quality synthetic alternatives. This position allows the brand to engage with animalic fragrance traditions without contributing to animal harm. The founding principle centers on reconnecting wearers with the natural world through scent, making the experience both artistic and conscious.