Collaboration Date: January ‘25
Location: Raleigh, NC
Bespoke Formulations: Hand Cleanser, Hand Balm
Notes:
In our careful collaboration with Iris Coffee Lab—an exemplary establishment on the eastern seaboard known for their thoughtful approach to hospitality—we discovered kindred spirits who share our commitment to sensorial engagement.
Our relationship began through a bespoke eau de parfum conceived for their personnel—a formulation whose success has prompted consideration of a wider release. When approached to create hand cleansing formulations for their acclaimed Tucker Street location, we recognized an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
When we were conceptually formulating in collaboration with the iris leadership, we often found ourselves doing so over shared meals - a true distinction of their innermost core love for hospitality
In accordance with our methodological approach to bespoke formulations, we began with plant-derived cleansing agents of exceptional efficacy, complemented by select botanical and ethically-derived synthetic components. With characteristic precision, the Iris leadership collaborated in selecting:
Ylang Ylang for its calming properties and distinctive aromatic character—mirroring Iris's unconventional approach to coffee and their position as an exemplar of hospitality in an ascendant urban center.
A note on Ylang Ylang:
The jasmine-adjacent molecular structure presents particular challenges for integration—precisely the type of complexity our perfumers seek. Like Iris's achievement in cultivating exceptional hospitality in previously overlooked urban terrain, the successful incorporation of this botanical required meticulous attention and dedication. Utilizing this floral and it’s miraculous antiviral structure to capture the accomplishments of iris felt only right by our perfumers
We also opted for a true Japanese hinoki wood distillation for it's nurturing zen nature in both profile and composition directly honoring iris's calming light wood tones and assembly in physical space - an iconic faction of the interpersonal experience of 725 Tucker Street.
Furthermore, bergamot from the southern most regions of Italy, in particular, the Calibra region where our contemporaries such as Aesop and Byredo still source from the same farms as us to this day. Bergamot was the clear lead for this formula as an faithful ode to Iris' love for the truest form of the fruit and their deep roots of well curated offerings in true Italian nature.
These offerings, ever more so complex in nature than our brief breakdown above, directly parallel the iris experience, serving their customers in ways not previously expected by their corresponding industry. We are incredible humbled to be the ones tasked with formulating and delivering such an adorning offering to the Iris experience.