Abel was founded in 2013 by former Amsterdam-based winemaker, Frances Shoemack. For a decade Abel has been on a quest to create the world’s best natural perfume – pushing at the boundaries of art, ethics and natural science. This forward thinking fragrance house was born in Amsterdam and now calls Wellington, New Zealand home.
Smoky tobacco meets juicy cassis and velvety balsam. Dark, smoky and intense. Sipping black coffee after hours, a nightcap of sorts.
Silky smooth, golden amber. Creamy vanilla dripping with crushed juniper and pink peppercorn. A modern-day muse.
The tallest woods, earth damp underfoot. Aromatic cardamom and velvety magnolia blooms. Complex, singular, grounding.
Cut grass, sun bouncing off fresh laundry. Pulp of passionfruit, zest of lime. The optimistic gaze of spring dreaming.
Warhol-esque banana meets rebellious labdanum white-oud. An unexpected harmony of pop art colour and edgy dark intensity that challenges conventional fragrance expectations.
Pouring into the late evening, a well-heeled cherry kiss. White florals, velvet textures, richness of rum and cacao. Sophistication at its core.
A vibrant, smoky amber, Black Anise is a heavy, heady scent with deep notes of tobacco, cacao and star anise, contrasted with the sweetness of blackcurrant.
A velvety, rich wood, Green Cedar combines two types of cedar — one from Texas, another from the Atlas Mountains — with guaiac wood and cypriol, balanced with delicate notes of magnolia and cardamom.
A cool fresh Haitian vetiver that opens with a creamy lime and mint bouquet and closes with a subtle caramelised wood drydown.
“It surprised me that while I could get my hands on incredible luxurious natural skincare and make up, when it came to perfume, this just didn’t exist.“
— Frances Shoemack, founder
Fellow New Zealander, and the region’s only Master Perfumer, Paris-based Isaac Sinclair became Shoemack’s first ally in the quest to disrupt an industry that didn’t believe natural perfume could be chic, modern, or stand up alongside the world’s best. Isaac uses the latest in renewable ingredients alongside the best in heritage naturals. The Abel team relentlessly innovates with fragrance development, packaging and processes to challenge industry norms and provide biodegradable, environmentally friendly fragrance alternatives for conscious urbanites the world over.
“Naturals have an (often misguided) reputation for being simple, subtle and organic smelling. As in any creative pursuit, there comes a time when you find yourself wanting to push the boundaries, to see if you can play right at the edges and surprise everyone.“
— Isaac Sinclair, Master Perfumer
Abel fragrances are made from natural, plant-derived ingredients that are readily biodegradable. All of their products are vegan and cruelty free with all ingredients ethically sourced. They are fully transparent and provide a full list of ingredients for every fragrance. Abel create with intention, not excess, with one eye always on excellence and integrity.
