20% OFF SELECTED STOCK EASTER SALE
Sep 21 2020
Tessa McNab
TM: When and how did Abel come about?
FS: 9 years ago, after recently moving to Amsterdam, I fell in love with the world of independent perfumery - creative scents made by real people and sold in beautiful environments far removed from the duty free celebrity endorsed culture. But, I couldn’t find a brand or product within this world that was working with natural ingredients and sustainable business practices. After discovering you could only really buy natural perfume from the organic supermarket, in basic packaging and with unsophisticated formula - the idea for Abel was born.
TM: How would you describe the Abel customer?
FS: We talk a lot about “Charlie” at Abel. The specifics of Charlie’s life aren’t super relevant, what connects Charlie is the choiceful, conscious way in which they live and consume. Their appreciation of nature, inquisitive spirit, love of design and clever functionality. They want sustainable alternatives, but they want them smart and beautiful!
TM: What's your creative process like when developing a fragrance? There are endless scents and combinations you could try, I imagine it's hard to choose. Where do you start?
FS: Normally we start with the ingredients - like chefs at the market saying "these tomatoes are incredible right now, what shall we make with them?". Normally Isaac (our master perfumer) and I would spend days together in the lab in Paris at the start of the creative process, looking at ingredients that inspire us and exploring different avenues. When we have a direction we both love, Isaac will then refine this till we are satisfied we've got the ultimate expression. Normally this takes around 12 months and several hundred trials. In saying that, we are about to launch a fragrance that 'clicked' in a very different creative environment - during the midst of coronavirus lockdown!! We'd been working on this scent for 6 months already, but out of nowhere it took on this new life during a call with Isaac as I watched the sun set on Wellington's beautiful South Coast... my lips are sealed until launch day! (21st October.)
TM: What has been the absolute highlight moment since creating Abel from a brand perspective? A milestone for the brand which you have been most proud of.
FS: So often you are so caught up in doing what needs to be done, that it's only in hindsight that you realise 'hey, that was cool!!'. One moment that really sticks out as a 'hey this, right now, is cool' moment, was in Tokyo a couple of years ago. Tokyo is one of my favourite places anyway, so it was already great just being there, seeing Abel on the shelf in these ultra hip stores. But we did this special Abel event in the evening and I had local fans asking me to sign their bottles! Aside from the fact that I felt very akward defacing our bottles with my half baked signature, it was next level!
TM: You moved back to New Zealand from Amsterdam with your family at the start of this yea. What are you finding the most unique aspect about living in Wellington?
FS: That uniquely Wellington combination of people and place - an overwhelming sense of community. We’ve felt so welcomed here both on a personal and business level. I knew more of my neighbours within weeks of moving here than I did in years of living in Amsterdam... that says something about a city!
TM: Other than your own brand of course, what brands do you admire at Good As Gold?
FS: I love how GAG finds that balance between fun (I recently bought a super quirky pair of gardening gloves!) and 'giving a shit'. Heroing global leaders in fair and sustainable such as Patagonia, Veja and of course Wellington’s own Kowtow.
Learn more about Abel fragrances HERE
Shop the full range from Abel HERE
Follow Abel on instagram HERE
Shipping & Delivery
Free courier delivery when you spend over $99.00.
Purchases under $99.00 will be charged $5.00 for courier delivery.
We are dispatching orders daily / within 1-2 working days of order being placed.
We aim to deliver all NZ orders with a 1-3 day courier service ~ But during these wild Covid times deliveries may take 1 to 3 working days to be delivered.
We strongly recommend choosing "Local Pick-Up" / "In-Store Pick-Up" if you live in Wellington.
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Customer Care
We love to look after our customers and answer all your questions the best we can. From finding out about online orders, what payment methods are provided, warranties and everything else in-between, we aim to aid you during your time of great great need. In saying all of that, if you'd rather just read up on everything follow the link!
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Returns & Refunds
Full price purchases placed online are eligible to be returned for an exchange, store credit, or refund providing your returns items fit our returns policy conditions outlined below if you contact us within 48 hours of receiving your order.
Contact must be made via [email protected] within 48 hours of receiving the goods advising us of return.
Returned Items must be unused, with the original tags & packaging still attached to the product. All footwear must be returned in the original shoe box, sunglasses and jewellery in the original case & box.
Shipping and handling is non refundable and returns are the customers responsibility until they reach Good as Gold Ltd.
Discounted items or Items purchased with special offer discount codes are final sale and cannot be returned or refunded.
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