Byredo: perfumes born from memories
The Byredo style pairs Scandinavian minimalism with artistic expression, and many fragrances start from the founder's own life story, such as his father's travels in Africa, his Indian childhood and his memories of Mumbai. In 2022 the Spanish group Puig acquired a majority stake in the brand, and Gorham was confirmed as creative director. Beyond perfume, the house also creates makeup, accessories and home objects.
The signature eaux de parfum, by family
Byredo presents its fragrances as genderless, so you choose by olfactory family and by the memory each one comes from.
Florals: Bal d'Afrique, Blanche, Rose of No Man's Land
Among the florals is Bal d'Afrique, one of Gorham's first perfumes, inspired by his father's travel journals from Africa and by late-1920s Paris, captivated by African dance and music, with notes the product sheet describes as warm and romantic. Blanche is a sheer aldehydic fragrance with a touch of rose at the top, built around the idea of fresh laundry and clean sheets. The name Rose of No Man's Land comes from the nickname World War I soldiers gave to nurses, and the fragrance opens with pink pepper. The house rates its intensity as "soft," while the other eaux de parfum mentioned here are rated "medium."
Woody: Gypsy Water, Mojave Ghost and Bibliothèque
Among the woody scents, Gypsy Water is inspired by Rome, its bustle and the freedom of wandering with no destination. Mojave Ghost takes its name from the flower that blooms in the Mojave Desert, and the house places it in the same family, while the product sheet describes it as juicy and bittersweet, with loquat up front. The family also includes Bibliothèque, which evokes old books and dark wooden shelves with a bouquet of peonies and violets; Desert Dawn, which opens with cardamom and moves to sandalwood and cedar; Super Cedar, dry and soft; and Oud Immortel, built on oud and its resin.
Amber and spicy: Black Saffron and more
Black Saffron is dominated by saffron, tied to memories of Gorham's Indian childhood, and opens with sharp citrus notes. Then there is Mumbai Noise, which combines warm woods, amber, davana, leather and bitter coffee, and Eyes Closed, which starts with cinnamon and cardamom. In Young Rose, Sichuan pepper accompanies Damask rose. Animalique opens with lemon and bergamot and has mimosa at its heart.
Absolu de parfum and Night Veils extraits
The absolu de parfum line reinterprets the signature fragrances, in a bottle whose cap is inspired by yakisugi, the Japanese technique of charred wood. Mojave Ghost Absolu intensifies the woody side with pear and amber. Blanche Absolu has a more pronounced aldehydic composition and a stronger floral heart. In absolu form, Gypsy Water brings out its spicy side with black pepper and carrot seed, Black Saffron becomes more opulent, spicy and leathery, and Rose of No Man's Land has more intense smoky facets.
The Night Veils extraits de parfum are composed with high concentrations of essences and dedicated to the night, and ten years after its debut the collection was renewed. Among them is Havana Tonka, built on roasted tonka bean with bergamot, rum, pink pepper and crème brûlée. Casablanca Lily pays tribute to the flower that blooms only at night. Vanille Antique is built around what the house calls the rarest ingredient in perfumery.
Hair, body, home and gift sets
The hair perfumes, such as Gypsy Water hair perfume, are formulated not to weigh hair down, and the house recommends them for all hair types. Besides Gypsy Water, they come in Blanche, Mojave Ghost, Black Saffron, La Tulipe and Rose of No Man's Land. For the body there are shower gel, lotion and cream in the main scents, body mists with aloe vera and a cloud-like spray, hand creams and the Suede trio of hand wash, lotion and hand cream. Finally, among the candles, Bibliothèque is fruity, Cotton Poplin powdery and fresh, and Tree House woody.
To get to know several fragrances before a full-size bottle, La Sélection Nomade brings together Bal d'Afrique, Blanche and Gypsy Water in 12 ml bottles. Les Miniatures adds Mojave Ghost and Rose of No Man's Land in 8 ml bottles. Le Nécessaire de Voyage pairs the 100 ml eau de parfum with the 12 ml size of the same fragrance, in a leather travel case. You'll find more sets among our gift sets.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Byredo from and who founded it?
Byredo is a Swedish house, founded in Stockholm in 2006 by Ben Gorham. The starting idea was to translate memories and emotions into scent, and many fragrances come from his own life story, such as Bal d'Afrique, linked to his father's travels in Africa, or Mumbai Noise, inspired by his memories of Mumbai.
Who owns Byredo?
Since 2022 Byredo has belonged to the Spanish group Puig, which acquired a majority stake. Under the agreement, founder Ben Gorham remained a shareholder and the house's creative director. Puig announced the acquisition on May 31, 2022. Beyond perfume, Byredo also creates makeup, accessories and home objects.
What does Byredo Bal d'Afrique smell like?
Bal d'Afrique is a fragrance Byredo places among its florals, with notes described as warm and romantic. It is one of Ben Gorham's first perfumes and is inspired by his father's travel journals from Africa and by late-1920s Paris. It comes as eau de parfum, absolu de parfum, hand cream, body care and body mist.
What are Byredo Night Veils extraits?
Night Veils is Byredo's collection of extraits de parfum, meaning fragrances composed with high concentrations of essences and dedicated to the night. The collection includes Vanille Antique, Bois Obscur, Cuir Sellier, Casablanca Lily, Rouge Chaotique and Havana Tonka, in bottles with an antique gold cap and a box that can be reused as a display stand.
If Byredo isn't divided by gender, how do you choose?
You choose by olfactory family, since the house presents its fragrances as genderless. The florals include Bal d'Afrique, Blanche and Rose of No Man's Land. Gypsy Water and Mojave Ghost are woody, like Bibliothèque, Super Cedar and Desert Dawn. Black Saffron is an amber scent dominated by saffron.
Which Byredo perfume should I start with?
To start, a set that lets you compare several fragrances is the best choice. La Sélection Nomade brings together Bal d'Afrique, Blanche and Gypsy Water in 12 ml bottles, meaning a floral with warm notes, a sheer aldehydic scent and a woody one. Les Miniatures adds Mojave Ghost and Rose of No Man's Land in 8 ml bottles.
What's the difference between Byredo eau de parfum and absolu de parfum?
The absolu de parfum is a reinterpretation of the eau de parfum that intensifies one of its facets. Mojave Ghost Absolu accentuates the woody side with pear and amber, Gypsy Water Absolu the spicy side with black pepper and carrot seed, Blanche Absolu has more pronounced aldehydes and Rose of No Man's Land Absolu a smoky side.
What hair types is Byredo hair perfume for?
The house recommends its hair perfumes for all hair types, with a formula designed not to weigh hair down. They come in the main scents, including Gypsy Water, Blanche, Mojave Ghost, Black Saffron, La Tulipe and Rose of No Man's Land, and Bal d'Afrique is offered in the Les Cheveux set with a wooden brush.
Does Byredo also make candles and body products?
Yes, Byredo also scents the home and the body. Among the candles, Bibliothèque is fruity, Cotton Poplin powdery and fresh, and Tree House woody, inspired by the treehouse at the Biotop store in Tokyo. For the body there are shower gel, lotion, cream and body mist in the main scents, plus hand creams and the Suede trio.
