TL;DR
- Discover queer-owned perfume brands for Pride.
- Support indie and established LGBTQ+ perfumeries.
- Find your new signature scent this season.
- Explore unique and genderless fragrance options.
- Smell fabulous while supporting the community.
Perfumes are having a moment right now, especially indie and niche fragrances. What was once a nearly impossible industry to enter has blossomed in recent years, thanks to more accessible information and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Among the companies making waves at events like Fumed Chicago are several queer-owned brands, some that only launched a few months ago. Check out our list of LGBTQ+-owned perfumeries and perfumers you can support this Pride season and be the best smelling person at the festivities.
First up, we have Snif, a juggernaut of a fragrance brand founded in 2020 by longtime friends Bryan Edwards and Phil Riportella. This gourmand-heavy brand has scents like the newly launched Milk and Cereal collection, the boozy-fruitcake inspired Naughty Nonna, and the cherry and amber-forward Tart Deco. In addition to their successful online shop, Snif’s full fragrance line can be found across the country in ULTA stores. Perfect for: Gourmand lovers, in-store testers. Stand out scents: Coco Shimmy, Golden Ticket.
Next, let’s talk about Boy Smells. Don’t let the name fool you – they’re all about the genderless fragrance experience. Based in Los Angeles, Boy Smells rose to fame for their quality, long-lasting fragrances and playful releases like the poppers-inspired Citrush. Their unique bottles are popping up in more and more stores across the country, but you can try out samples and buy directly from their online store as well. Perfect for: Wearers looking for an all-day scent with personality. Stand out scents: Coco Hinoki, Cowboy Kush.
Then we have Malin + Goetz, a duo that has been building their fragrance and skincare brand since the early 2000s. You can find their products at luxury fragrance counters in department stores across the country. The fragrances often lean into main notes, with a thoughtful supporting cast. Perfect for: clean-scent lovers. Stand out scents: Dark Rum eau de parfum, Vetiver eau de parfum.
Don’t miss out on Marty Schissler, a self-taught perfumer who has dialed into nostalgia with their debut fragrances. From sipping from the water hose on a hot day to sick days at home with someone you love, these unique blends have put the Chicago-based perfumerie on the map. Perfect for: People who love their perfumes to stir up emotions. Stand out scents: Yard.
Another rising star is Alloy Studio, a queer and Black-owned fragrance studio founded by perfumer Bryson Ammons and artist Eddie Hodges in 2024. Their unique blends aim to tell stories through scent and are now available in a dozen perfume shops around the country. Perfect for: People who want to get stopped on the street and asked, “What are you wearing?” Stand out scents: Luster, Faux.
Let’s not forget Hoshi Gato, created by self-taught perfumer Ember Bennett, who is not only making waves with her fragrances but also preparing the next generation of aspiring perfumers with her free “Introduction to Perfumery” guide. Known for fruity gourmands, Hoshi Gato is all about thinking outside the box. Perfect for: Folks looking for well-made, affordable gourmands with a story. Stand out scents: Frooty, Strawberry Milkcake.
Former investigative journalist Brianna “B.A.” Arps debuted her brand Moodeaux in 2021 and has been gaining traction ever since. With four fragrances available, you might need to pop into your local Credo Beauty to see what’s in stock. Perfect for: powerful note lovers (think Oud, pepper, incense). Stand out scents: Brand New, Avant Garden.
Married couple Bree and Megan Elliott founded Fantôme in 2017, inspired by the magic that weaves through human history. Their collection includes close to 50 fragrances, including those inspired by Slavic folklore and time spent in small boutiques and incense shops in Japan. Perfect for: folks who like an international perfume adventure. Stand out scents: Lorelei, Finist the Falcon.
Finally, we have OSM, which stands for Our Scent Memories. This brand dazzles with stunning bottle art and hits you with its intricate melding of personal narratives with evocative scents. Perfumer Kyle Mott-Kannenberg uses his chemistry degree to create perfumes that translate memories into scent. OSM has teamed up with drag star Manilla Luzon for the honey and floral dripping fragrance Diva Behavior and collaborated with Jinxx Monsoon on the Bulgarian rose and cherry-forward Hera. Perfect for: people who like their fragrances to be art. Stand out scents: Disco Nap, Foreverness.
The word is out about these fabulous queer-owned perfume brands. So why not support the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality this Pride season while smelling fabulous? Your contribution is appreciated.