Raconteur
Raconteur tells the story of the scent of Australia.
Their fragrances invite the wearer to journey through Australia’s extraordinary natural heritage, where over 18,000 unique native species inspire scents rarely seen in the global fragrance world. Each collection is handmade with care, unfolding as an olfactory story shaped by landscapes, botanicals, and moments in time. Crafted slowly and intentionally, every fragrance reflects the rhythm of the seasons and the richness of place.
Through their philosophy of “slow fragrance,” they embrace nature’s unpredictability as an essential part of the experience. Much like wine reflects its vintage, each fragrance shifts with the climate and the seasons, revealing subtle changes in tone, texture, and character. These variations are not flaws but the soul of their craft—a true expression of time, land, and terroir.
Does the world need another candle, or eau de parfum for that matter?
That’s the question Craig asked before deciding to dive head-on into the world of natural perfumery and candle making. “Generally, the answer is no”, he says. “Unless you’re making something truly unique that doesn’t already exist.”
Craig learned the craft of making scented candles many years ago from Elise Pioch Balzac (founder of Maison Balzac). He attended one of the world’s leading perfume schools - the Grasse Institute of Perfumery. Over several years he learned about the key natural and synthetic ingredients used to make fine fragrance, and the technique of how to structure and formulate fragrances.
Sustainability, for them, is not a single action but a series of thoughtful choices woven into every step of their process. From fair trade sourcing and regenerative farming partnerships to the use of low-impact packaging, each fragrance begins with careful consideration of provenance, ethics, and environmental impact. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that beauty should never come at nature’s expense, and working with nature requires deep listening and respect.
They honor the slow rhythms of the natural world, acknowledging that some botanicals take years to yield oils and that many rely on delicate ecosystems and skilled farmers who understand them intimately. By selecting ingredients with intention, prioritizing fair trade, and designing with restraint, they ensure that every bottle carries a quiet but powerful commitment: to tread lightly and create with care.
They began with a strong stance on ingredient use but soon discovered the complexity of the issues driving the debate. This led them to adopt an ethical framework of “do no harm,” ensuring that all ingredients used cause no material harm to humans or the environment, come from sustainable sources, avoid child labor, and support fair compensation for growers. Ancient resins like frankincense and labdanum, long valued for their healing and spiritual qualities, connect their work to a deeper human history, offering a sense of continuity and meaning beyond lab-made synthetics.
While natural ingredients remain their focus, they recognize that some synthetics have a role to play when they meet ethical and sustainable standards, particularly where no responsible natural alternatives exist. Informed by both ancient healing traditions and modern studies on aromatherapy’s effects on the brain, they strive to create fragrances that showcase the beauty of natural ingredients at the highest concentration possible, guided always by ethics, sustainability, and respect for nature.
