5 Indie Fragrance Houses

Teri Johnson is a Texas native who settled in Harlem after falling in love with its rich, vibrant past and present. Figures from the Harlem Renaissance – including Billie Holiday – inspired her with their stories of resilience and otherworldly talent. Johnson’s love of fragrance and jazz led to the creation of Harlem Perfume Co, a collection of scents imbued with meaning. Billie is the scent of the aforementioned blues singer, an ode to her beautiful days that turned into beautiful nights and the gardenia she always wore in her hair. The fragrance itself combines the delicate white petals with a hit of vanilla and coconut milk, along with notes of lush green leaves, frangipani, and creamy musk. Sweet, intoxicating, and undeniably pretty, it’s a modern take on a vintage profile.