Smell Stories is an independent perfumery in Brussels, founded by the two of us, Kurt and Stéphane. We started it in 2019, driven by a shared fascination with perfume and the feeling that, beyond the familiar names, there is a whole world of fragrances waiting to be discovered.

We deliberately choose independent perfume houses. They are often small brands founded by a perfumer, designer or other creative mind with a very personal approach to fragrance. Some have been around for years, while others are just getting started. What they have in common is something to say, and perfumes that don’t feel like they came out of a marketing department.

Our selection is therefore deliberately limited. We don’t want to be a shop with hundreds of brands. We want every brand on our shelves to be there because we genuinely believe in it. We know the people behind the brands, follow their work and look for perfumes that continue to intrigue us, even after we’ve smelled them multiple times.

Because, ultimately, it’s the fragrance that matters to us.

Not the logo on the bottle, not how well-known the brand is, and not a list of ingredients. A perfume can catch your attention, surprise you, take you back to a place or simply feel incredibly right on you. You only really discover that by smelling it. That’s why we like to take the time to explore with you, without deciding beforehand what you should be wearing.

You don’t have to tick a box here either. We don’t believe perfume has a gender. If you like wearing a fragrance, that’s really the only criterion that matters.

So, who’s behind Smell Stories? Us: Kurt and Stéphane. We’re still a team of two. From selecting new brands and testing perfumes to managing orders, the shop, the webshop and everything else, it all still goes through us.

It also means we can keep our selection personal. We don’t choose a brand because it has become big enough, but because we feel it brings something to the table. Sometimes that’s an exceptional perfume. Sometimes it’s a fascinating story. Often, it’s both.

Alongside perfume, you’ll also find a small selection of other scented products, from incense and candles to diffusers and soaps. Here too, we look for independent and artisanal makers with a distinctive point of view.

Smell Stories is located in the heart of Brussels, in historic building, where you can take your time to browse, smell and ask questions. You don’t need to know anything about perfume, and you certainly don’t need to know what you’re looking for. In fact, that’s a pretty good place to start.

We’re happy to help you find a perfume that feels right for you, build a small fragrance wardrobe or simply discover something you’ve never smelled before.

And because we believe a good fragrance can have an impact beyond the shop, we donate 5% of our profits to DoucheFLUX, a Brussels organisation helping people in difficult situations access basic hygiene and essential facilities.

You’re very welcome to visit us in our Brussels boutique, but you can also browse our selection and order online right here on our website.

Come and have a smell. We’ll take it from there.