In the crowded world of luxury fragrances, finding a brand that speaks to both your aesthetic sensibilities and ethical values can feel like searching for a unicorn. Enter STORIES Parfums – the Northern Ireland-based niche fragrance house that’s changing the game with its narrative-driven scents and commitment to sustainable luxury.
The Story Behind the Scent
Let’s be real – we’re all suckers for a good backstory, and STORIES Parfums delivers one that’s as captivating as their fragrances. Founded by Tonya Kidd-Beggs, this brand isn’t just another pretty bottle on your vanity. Each fragrance tells a deeply personal chapter of Tonya’s life, transformed into olfactory art that invites you to create your own memories.
After a transformative trip to Grasse, France (only the perfume capital of the world, NBD), Tonya discovered fragrance’s power to heal and unlock memories. This revelation became the foundation of STORIES Parfums – where each scent is literally bottled nostalgia.
“STORIES was born on the North Down rugged coastline of Northern Ireland, which has shaped the stories of Tonya’s life and in turn her Eau de Parfums, bodycare and perfumed candles,” explains the brand.
But what makes these fragrances truly stand out? Unlike mainstream perfumes that tell you exactly who should wear them and how, STORIES Parfums believes in beauty without boundaries. They’ll never define their fragrances by gender or name – your scent journey is entirely yours to write.
Sustainable Luxury That Actually Makes Sense
In 2025, “sustainable” is practically stamped on everything from water bottles to private jets (eye roll). But STORIES Parfums walks the sustainability talk with real innovations that don’t compromise on luxury.
Their commitment to sustainable luxury includes:
- Refillable perfume bottles for their 100ml and 30ml Eau de Parfums
- Rock paper labels made from marble mining waste (genius!)
- Zamak caps that replace traditional plastic with recyclable metal
- Recyclable outer packaging that still delivers that luxury unboxing experience
- Refillable perfumed candles for sustainable home fragrance
As they put it, their sustainable initiatives reflect “our belief that fragrance should be a force for good—beautiful, mindful, and lasting.” We’re totally here for it.
The Signature Scents You Need in Your Collection
Let’s talk about what really matters – the fragrances themselves. STORIES Parfums currently offers two signature scents that perfectly capture their narrative-driven approach.
STORIES Nº.01: Light Emerging from Darkness
The STORIES Nº.01 is like that friend who somehow always radiates optimism. This uplifting fragrance begins with vibrant citrus notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Orange Blossom that instantly boost your mood. Then it transitions to comforting Cedarwood and delicate Jasmine before settling into a mysterious blend of Amber, Sandalwood, and Vetiver.
It’s giving “main character energy” with zero effort required – perfect for those days when you need your fragrance to do the heavy lifting.
STORIES Nº.02: Barefoot Wanderer
If you’ve ever dreamed of running through a moonlit forest (and honestly, who hasn’t?), STORIES Nº.02 captures that exact vibe. With Bulgarian roses nestled in nostalgic honey and cedarwood, and wrapped in the sensual warmth of tonka and amber, this fragrance embodies wonder and liberation.
As one customer, Susanne C, puts it: “STORIES Nº.02 is my favourite. The scent transported me to the far off places I have travelled with many happy memories. Definitely my new go-to luxury scent.”
The Full Sensory Experience
What’s cooler than a great perfume? A complete scent experience that transforms your entire space. STORIES Parfums has created the first-ever candle trio that translates a perfume’s top, heart, and base notes into three separate candles.
Their No.01 Candle Trio lets you burn each 70g candle separately to experience individual notes or light them together for the full olfactory experience. It’s basically like having a professional perfumer design your home’s atmosphere.
And don’t sleep on their bodycare. The Hand and Body Wash and Hand & Body Lotion in both fragrance profiles let you layer scent for longer-lasting wear. Pro tip: “Hydrated skin holds fragrance longer,” so start with the lotion before spritzing your Eau de Parfum for maximum impact.
Flying Solo NYC: Where STORIES Parfums Meets Manhattan
When indie luxury brand Flying Solo NYC welcomes a new designer into their fold, it’s always a match made in fashion heaven. For STORIES Parfums, joining Flying Solo has been transformative, connecting this Irish treasure with fragrance connoisseurs in the heart of New York City.
Flying Solo NYC provides the perfect showcase for STORIES Parfums’ ethos of conscious luxury and narrative-driven fragrance. The SoHo boutique’s community of independent designers creates an environment where artistry and innovation thrive. For fragrance lovers seeking something beyond mainstream department store offerings, discovering STORIES Parfums at Flying Solo offers that “insider access” to niche luxury that New Yorkers crave.
“Being part of Flying Solo is an exciting opportunity for STORIES Parfums,” the brand shares. “As an independent brand, we resonate deeply with their mission of supporting creative entrepreneurs and providing a platform for niche luxury brands to thrive.”
The Science of Scent Memory
Ever catch a whiff of something and suddenly you’re transported back to your childhood? That’s not just sentiment – it’s science. Fragrance bypasses rational thought and travels directly to the amygdala and hippocampus, where emotional and memory responses are stored.
For Tonya, STORIES Parfums’ founder, scent became a way to reclaim childhood memories that had been overshadowed by trauma at age 12. Through her Scent Society Masterclasses, she now helps others connect with their own stories through fragrance.
“Everyone has a story to tell!” the brand emphasizes. And with STORIES Parfums, your scent becomes the storyteller.
The Celebrity Connection
While STORIES Parfums lets the quality of their fragrances speak for itself, we can’t ignore their growing celebrity following. Sophie Stanbury, interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Cathy Hilton, Tamara Beckwith, and even Jimmy Choo co-founder Tamara Mellon have all embraced these narrative-driven scents.
The brand’s latest collaboration with Lady Mary Peters, an Olympian runner from Northern Ireland, further demonstrates their commitment to telling meaningful stories through scent.
Final Thoughts: Your Story Awaits
In a world of cookie-cutter fragrance launches, STORIES Parfums offers something genuinely different – fragrances with depth, sustainability with substance, and luxury with purpose.
As they put it: “Stories make up who we are, and we think that life is richer the more you have to tell.” With STORIES Parfums, your next chapter begins with just one spray.
What will your story be?