Stora Skuggan (Big Shadow) was established in Stockholm, Sweden in 2015 by four design student friends, among them Tomas Hempel and Olle Hemmendorff. The founders’ aim was to be as autonomous as possible in every aspect of the creation process – from the formulation of the perfumes to the packaging and branding.
Stora Skuggan is also the name of a well-known park in the center of Stockholm. At the perfume company by the same name, the concepts, fragrance formulations and product design at Store Skuggan are all handled by a small group of interdisciplinary creatives, and over time they have learned that quality raw materials are more likely to lead to better perfumes.
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Ten years ago, the four students had a joint interest in fragrances, which later developed into the first trembling steps in a DIY perfumery, by mixing cheap essential oils. Later, by combining myth and reality, the first perfume “Fantôme de Maules” was inspired by a creature wandering in the forest of Maules in Switzerland.
Their second fragrance, Silphium, was born from the desire to recreate a spice dating from antiquity that has now disappeared, after they had gained access to the distributers if real aroma chemicals and the most precious natural materials.
Silphium is the name of a plant used by Ancient Greeks as a medicinal herb, spice, or perfume ingredient. While the olfactory experience of the scent is the core of Stora Skuggan, the team works in a symbiotic process to give life to each product through the combination of conceptual stories, visuals and physical design.
Silphium is a perfume for those who enjoy green perfumes. The journey from medicinal to savory with the herbal nucleus is beautifully realized. As Mr. Hempel and Mr. Hemmendorff learn more through their experiences let’s hope for more like Silphium in the future.
Swedish Perfume Maker ‘Big Shadow’ has Bottled the Scent of Swiss Woods, written by Tor Kjolberg