Rarified Perfume: The Perks of Membership at MiN New York

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As the co-curators of the indie apothecary MiN New York in NoLita, Chad Murawczyk and Mindy Yang take a simple approach to stocking their shelves: “If we can’t find something we want, we make it,” Murawczyk says. So far, that’s lead to such varied creations as atmospheric candles gilded in precious metals, high-performance skin-care creams and hand-ticked silk scarves depicting photographs of Havana shot by Murawczyk himself. The latest addition to the MiN oeuvre: a series of abstract fragrances, called Scent Stories, debuting this week. Composed of notes that normally don’t land in eau, such as pencil shavings and ozone, the collection of 11 unisex scents took a year to develop with a master perfumer in Grasse, France. “The idea was to make each scent like a chapter or a short story: it would be vivid, visceral and disconnected from the others, but take you somewhere,” Yang says. Indeed, many of the fragrances were inspired by the pair’s own memories and journeys. Dahab, for example, evokes the deserts and deep seas of Egypt where Murawczyk spent time. “It’s incense-y, smoky and mysterious,” he says of the saffron-, cumin- and nutmeg-laced blend. Yang, who is also a trained reiki healer, is particularly drawn to Shaman, describing it as a “futurist nomad” scent, with a “mystical air.” The violet leaf note is especially nuanced, she says, and conveys “a sense of clairvoyance.”

Another unconventional aspect of the collection: Initially it will only be available to a curated audience, or those who are invited to become “members” of the apothecary. “We really think of these as works of art in a gallery, so we’re making everything in small batches,” Yang explains. Membership is free (granted you fill out an application) and is intended for “elite collectors, influencers, top customers and anyone really in tune with their senses,” she says. Those who make the cut (there are 1,000 slots available in total — hurry!) will have exclusive access to the scents — which are kept in the back room of the apothecary and hand poured into glass bottles — for a year before they’re unveiled to the public. Murawczyk and Yang also plan to tour the Scent Stories collection, much like a traveling exhibition, to select perfumeries in Paris and Rome, where you can sniff by invitation only, of course.

MiN New York Scent Stories Eau de Parfum, $180 each, minnewyork.com.

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