Demeter Perfume & Cologne

Demeter Fragrance Library was founded in 1993 by Christopher Brosius and Christopher Gable. From its first years as a small independent brand, Demeter—-named for the ancient Greek goddess of the harvest—-strove to redefine personal fragrance. Brosius, Demeter’s perfumer, began by creating simple, single-note fragrances like Lavender and Geranium as antidotes to the heavy, brash perfumes of the 1980s. Then he started composing more unusual nature-inspired scents, including Tomato, Grass, and Dirt.

Demeter expanded the definition of perfume by opening it up to all kinds of aromas, not just traditional materials like flowers, fruits, and spices. Instead, Demeter recreated the scents of everyday objects and experiences that evoked personal memories: crayons, a thunderstorm, a paperback book. Its fragrances ranged from comforting (Snow, Earl Grey Tea, and Cotton Candy) to surprising (Funeral Home, Gin and Tonic, Vinyl). Each scent in the “Fragrance Library” tells a story, and they can be collected and combined for even more personalized experiences.

Demeter was sold to Freedom Marketing Group in 2002; two years later, Brosius left to launch his own brand, CB I Hate Perfume. Demeter continues to add new fragrances every year, including an all-natural perfume collection and collaborations with brands like Hershey’s, Sanrio, and Mr. Bubble. Its current catalog includes more than 250 scents, and recent launches like Log Cabin and New Baby continue the brand’s playful and inventive approach.