British perfume house Penhaligon’s arrives in New Zealand with coveted Faradays counter

A storied British perfume house with a royal seal of approval, Penhaligon’s has officially arrived in Aotearoa.

Founded in London in 1870 by barber and perfumer William Penhaligon, the house quickly became a favourite among British aristocracy, earning Royal Warrants and cultivating a loyal following that would later include Princess Diana, King Charles and Prince William.  

Today, Penhaligon’s is celebrated for its distinctive blend of heritage craftsmanship, immersive storytelling and unapologetically British whimsy. While remaining true to its roots, the maison has evolved for a new generation of fragrance connoisseurs through Home and Bath & Body collections that extend its olfactory world.

New Zealand consumers can now discover Penhaligon’s iconic creations through the reimagined Faradays department store—a ‘very natural home’ for the brand, says Julia Koeppen, Penhaligon’s General Manager. In an interview for Remix’s spring issue, we spoke with Koeppen about Penhaligon’s unique ethos, the exciting expansion, and the scents she sees being popular among New Zealand fragrance cognoscentes.

Penhaligon’s has evolved beyond fine fragrance into a broader lifestyle universe, with the expansion of categories such as bath and body, candles, and body mists. What does this evolution represent for the brand, and how does it deepen the relationship between Penhaligon’s and its customers?

For us, fragrance has never been confined to a bottle. Scent is woven into everyday life, from the way you start your morning to the atmosphere you create at home. Expanding into bath & body, candles and body mists allows people to enjoy Penhaligon's in more moments throughout the day. You might wake up with your favourite shower gel, light a candle in the evening, or keep a body mist in your bag for a quick refresh. Today's luxury customer wants a brand they can live with, not just wear occasionally. These new categories let us bring the world of Penhaligon's into everyday rituals in a way that feels natural, personal and enjoyable.

How is Penhaligon's continuing to cater to the modern market while remaining true to its history?

We've always believed that heritage is most valuable when it inspires what comes next. While our history stretches back to 1870, today's customer is looking for discovery, self-expression and experiences that feel relevant to their lifestyle. That's why we're continually introducing new fragrances, expanding our offering and finding fresh ways for people to engage with the brand. At the same time, the essence of Penhaligon's hasn't changed. We're still passionate about creating distinctive fragrances with exceptional ingredients, strong stories and personality behind them. The way we evolve may change, but our point of view remains the same.

How does being a British perfume house set Penhaligon's apart? Are there certain values or traditions that make Penhaligon's uniquely "British"?

Being British is a huge part of our identity, many of our fragrances draw inspiration from British culture, history and personalities. Penhaligon's has always had a slightly eccentric spirit. There's a sense of wit, character and storytelling that runs through everything we do, from our fragrance names to the worlds and characters that inspire them. Of course, our London roots and long history are important, but what really resonates globally is that combination of elegance and playfulness. We take fragrance seriously, but we never take ourselves too seriously.
How does the Faradays expansion align with Penhaligon's story?

What excited us about Faradays is that it shares the same sense of discovery that sits at the heart of Penhaligon's. It's a destination that brings together some of the world's most desirable luxury brands while creating a highly personalised shopping experience. That felt like a very natural home for us. We're incredibly pleased to introduce Penhaligon's to more customers in New Zealand through a partner that understands the importance of storytelling, service and creating memorable experiences.

What scents do you think New Zealand consumers will gravitate to the most?

We expect New Zealand customers to be adventurous and open-minded in their fragrance choices. Halfeti continues to be a standout favourite, while fragrances such as Luna, Empressa, The Coveted Duchess Rose, The Blazing Mr Sam, and our new Gent’s collection are also attracting a lot of attention. What's interesting is how varied those choices are, it suggests people are increasingly looking for a fragrance that reflects their personality rather than following a particular trend. That's where Penhaligon's really comes into its own. We love seeing customers discover something unexpected. Often the fragrance they leave with isn't the one they thought they'd choose when they walked through the door, and that's part of the magic.

FARADAYS.CO.NZ