“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”
Patrick Süskind.

Grasse-born and New York-based Le Labo, has quietly moved into the space on the corner of Blood Alley and Carrall Street; once the long standing home of Lynn Steven. These apothecarists of fragrance, enchant with their cruelty-free perfumes bottled into 17 different varieties, made fresh and to order. The Estee Lauder-owned Le Labo, can be found at YVR airport as well as at Nordstroms, but a visit to their Gastown shop, is an all together different olfactory experience.

Photography: JP McGlynn