ABOUT THE PERFUME ATELIER

What is The Perfume Atelier?

The Perfume Atelier is the Balkans’ first exclusive perfume house, founded in Belgrade by British perfumer Zaga Colovic. Every fragrance is an original composition built from accords we create and own entirely in our laboratory. We compose at 20% concentration — extrait level — which means our fragrances reveal themselves in layers: quiet, commanding, and entirely your own. We do not follow trends. We do not produce for the mass market. We create for people who understand that scent is the most intimate form of self-expression.

 

Who is Zaga Colovic?

I am a British perfumer and scent strategist with over 19 years of experience in the fragrance industry, based in London. My career spans the full breadth of perfumery — from creative composition to olfactory identity and scent strategy for brands. I founded The Perfume Atelier in Belgrade because I believed that a region with one of the richest aromatic heritages in the world deserved its own exclusive perfume house. Every accord in our collection is designed, blended, and owned by me. Every bottle carries a story I have personally authored. More about my work can be found at zagacolovic.com.

 

Where are your perfumes created?

All our perfumes are created entirely within our atelier — from the raw molecules to the final composition. The bottles are handcrafted in France. The wooden caps are precisely shaped by hand. The boxes are produced in Serbia. Every element of the object reflects the same care given to what is inside it.

 

Where is your flagship store?

Our atelier is at Beogradska 33, Vracar, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. It is an intimate space where you can explore the full collection, book a bespoke workshop, or simply come to discover which fragrance speaks to you. We also have a network of selected stockists — visit our Stores page for the current list.

 

Are your accords truly original?

Yes. Every accord used in our perfumes is created and owned exclusively by The Perfume Atelier. From the Serbian Black Walnut accord in Overthinking to the Serbian Honey accord in Do You Love Me, and the Serbian Raspberry Brandy accord in Do Not Touch Me — each raw material combination is ours alone. Every concept is protected by intellectual property rights. The fragrance you wear from our house cannot be found, replicated, or purchased anywhere else.

ABOUT OUR FRAGRANCES

What concentration are your perfumes?

All our fragrances are composed at 20% concentration — extrait de parfum level, the highest standard in perfumery. At this concentration, the fragrance does not announce itself loudly and immediately. It develops across hours, revealing different facets of its composition as it interacts with your skin and body heat. The opening is never the whole story. Wear it through the day, and you will find it still speaking.

 

How long do your fragrances last on skin?

At 20% concentration, you can expect six to twelve hours of wear depending on your skin type and how you apply it. Drier skin tends to absorb fragrance faster — moisturising before applying will prolong the experience. Apply to pulse points: the inner wrists, the base of the neck, behind the ears, the inside of the elbow. Do not rub after applying. Let the warmth of your skin do the work.

 

What is the difference between the Belgrade collection and your other fragrances?

The Belgrade Triptych is our most personal collection — three perfumes that tell the story of one city across three distinct emotional and historical states. BELGRADE captures the nostalgic freshness of the city in the 1980s: bergamot, lime, jasmine, labdanum. 011 is contemporary Belgrade at the crossroads of East and West: cypress, coriander, saffron, tonka bean, cedar. THE VICTOR is an ode to ambition and inner triumph, inspired by the iconic Pobednik monument: bergamot, oud, tobacco leaf, saffron, sandalwood. Our other fragrances — the Radical Emotion collection — explore emotional states rather than places: introspection in Overthinking, liberation in Lime Incense, vulnerability in Do You Love Me, self-possession in Do Not Touch Me.

 

Are your fragrances unisex?

All our fragrances are composed without gender in mind. Scent does not belong to a category — it belongs to a person. Each composition has its own character: some are warmer and more enveloping, others cooler and more architectural. We always recommend discovering a fragrance on your own skin before deciding. What matters is how it makes you feel, not what category it has been assigned.

 

Do you offer discovery sizes?

Yes. We offer 2 ml samples and 10 ml discovery sizes across our core collection, so you can discover a fragrance properly before committing to a full bottle. We also offer a Perfume Sample Set — choose any 3 fragrances in 2 ml vials, and receive a €17 digital voucher redeemable against any full-size purchase. The Belgrade City Triptych Collection is also available as a complete set. Wearing a fragrance for a full day across different moments is the only real way to know whether it is yours.

 

How should I store my perfumes?

Store your fragrances away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. A drawer or cabinet at room temperature is ideal. Do not keep them on a bathroom shelf where temperature fluctuates constantly. At 20% concentration, properly stored fragrances will maintain their full character for many years.

 

WORKSHOPS & BESPOKE EXPERIENCES

What happens in a personalised perfume workshop?

A personalised perfume workshop at The Perfume Atelier is an intimate, guided experience in our Belgrade atelier. Working with our team — using a concept conceived and protected by Zaga Colovic — you move through a structured exploration of scent families, raw materials, and original accord combinations, building toward a formula that is entirely your own. Every molecule and accord combination is exclusive to our atelier. Your formula is archived permanently in our records and can be recreated at any time — whether next year or in twenty years. You leave with your perfume, its formula, and a certificate of authenticity. All perfumes created in workshops are for personal use only and are protected by intellectual property rights.

 

What experience formats do you offer?

We offer three formats: the Luxury Private Experience for one person, Our Story — a shared experience designed for couples — and a Private Group Experience for up to four people. All three are available as Gift Vouchers, which can be purchased online. For corporate events, team workshops, and ambient scenting commissions, visit our Bespoke Atelier section or contact us directly.

 

Can my bespoke perfume be recreated later?

Yes — this is one of the most distinctive aspects of our house. Every formula created in our atelier is permanently archived. Your personal fragrance can be recreated in full at any point in the future. We issue a Certificate of Authenticity with every creation. Your scent does not disappear. It becomes part of our legacy, and yours.

 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We ship worldwide from Belgrade , Serbia and UK.

All orders are carefully packaged to protect the fragrance and the integrity of the bottle. Shipping times and costs vary by destination — full details are on our Delivery page.

 

What is your returns policy?

Due to the personal nature of fragrance, we cannot accept returns on opened perfumes. We strongly recommend ordering a sample or 10 ml discovery size before purchasing a full bottle — this is exactly what they are for. If your order arrives damaged, contact us immediately and we will resolve it.