By far the most enjoyable destination for fragrance lovers in Vienna is to be found at Tuchlauben 17 just a stone's throw from Stephansplatz in the city center. Much more than a perfume store, Duft und Kultur is a welcome retreat and conceptual shopping experience. From the street front, the store's facade is sleek and understated, but when you step inside it feels as though you have walked into an exotic bazaar of smells, colours and textures. Old empire apothecary cabinets brim with scented candles, bundles of incense and pretty bottles of niche and hard-to-find perfumes from international perfume houses.
Duft Und Kultur embraces all things fragrant, and celebrates their far-flung source - the sprawling boutique itself like a tattered passport stamped with destinations both exotic and enticing. Small alcoves and shuttered vitrines house fragrant teas , rich textiles, hand-made pottery, oils, lotions, resins, salves and colognes, and one cant help feel captivated by the scope and bounty of the goods on offer. On this particular visit, Antonio and Lisa - the very accommodating staff - allowed us the time and space we required to meander through the shop and turn things over in our hands; sniff, shake, spritz, scatter, clatter, unfurl, uncurl and completely exhaust our senses. I scooped up several boxes of oliban from Yemen to burn over coal discs, whilst my wife inhaled the luxurious nap of deep suede handbags (of which she later bought three!).
A known stockist of one of my favourite "go to" scents, Molinard Pour Homme II, Lisa and Antonio offered me generous samples as consolation when I was told my scent was out of stock, and each took the time to show me something new and different that perhaps I might not have considered otherwise. Duft und Kultur carry a bountiful selection of scents and scented products from Comptoir Sud Pacifique, Lubin, L'Artisan Perfumeur, Esteban, Diptyque, Molinard, Fragonard, and many, many more. The real treasures are to be found however, by exploring every nook and cranny where interesting artefacts reside (jasmine or damas rose-infused sea salt, for example).
Duft und Kultur cater to a clientele who have a distinct appreciation of perfumed products and their origin, and offer five-star service. Absolutely not to be missed when visiting Vienna.
Duft und Kultur
Aschauer GmbH
Tuchlauben 17
A-1010 Wien
Tel: 0043 1 532 3960
Mon-Fri. 10am - 6.30pm, Sat. 10am to 5pm.
3 comments:
I also visited Duft & Kultur twice while in Vienna during December 2008. It was a great experience. The two attractive ladies present during my visit were quite indulgent, allowing me plenty of time to sample to my heart's content. They weren't shy about voicing their intelligently formed opinions, either. At that time, in addition to the lines you mentioned, they also carried Maitre Parfum et Gantier, Parfums de Nicolai, Parfums d'Empire, Creed, and several others.
Since you are so informed about scents, I have a particular question I hope you can answer. What is the typical or best Italian cologne/s? When I was in Rome I smelled a certain cologne all over and I was not able to track it down... are there any men's scents in Italy that particulary stand out?
Visit there , I want to live there . All I'll need is a put up bed and my nose I am sure I'll learn German by and by. I don't think I know of anything , anywhere like this in the U.K .
Post a Comment