Twisted Lily is a sunny little boutique located on the ever-growing Atlantic Avenue shopping strip of Brooklyn's Boerum Hill neighborhood. It opened last autumn, as a new project from the owners of online perfume retailer Parfum1. If you're picturing a warehouse stocked with discounted mass-market scents, however, you'll be surprised by Twisted Lily: its clean white interior is stocked exclusively with niche fragrance lines. A few big names like Serge Lutens and L'Artisan Parfumeur serve as anchors to a wide, thoughtful selection of smaller, independent lines that are difficult to find anywhere else in New York, like Imaginary Authors and Slumberhouse.
The fragrances are displayed in neat groupings along counters and shelves; everything is accessible, and the printed lists of scents and their notes are useful if you choose to browse on your own. On the other hand, if you do need some assistance, the customer service is unhurried and helpful; you won't feel rushed or pressured, but if you have a question, the staff will give you well-informed answers and recommendations. The boutique also offers good-smelling candles and scent diffusers from companies such as Belle Fleur and Jardins d'Ecrivains, and a selection of appealing non-perfume items like Jaboneria Marianella soaps, eco-chic nail polishes from SheSwai and the cult-favorite Rouge Bunny Rouge makeup line.
The clientele at Twisted Lily includes Brooklynites enjoying their local retail options and, now that Brooklyn is known as a shopping and culture destination unto itself, curious customers from father afield. No matter which group you may belong to, it's worth a visit. Allow plenty of time — there's a lot to smell.
Fragrance brands: Amouage, Arquiste, Atelier de Geste, Au Pays de la Fleur D'Oranger, Carner Barcelona, CB I Hate Perfume, Coolife, D.S. & Durga, D'Orsay, Eau d'Italie, Etat Libre d'Orange, Ex Idoli, Grossmith, Histoires De Parfums, Imaginary Authors, In Fiore, Jardins D'Ecrivains, Joya, Kai, L'Artisan Parfumeur, Lorenzo Villoresi, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Maria Candida Gentile, Masque Milano, Mona di Orio, Montale, Olfactive Studio, Parfums de Nicolai, Penhaligon's, Ramon Monegal, Rouge Bunny Rouge, Serge Lutens, Slumberhouse, Tauer Perfumes, The Vagabond Prince, Third Man, Toomi Sooni, Undergreen, Xerjoff, Yosh
Best selling lines: Ramon Monegal, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Rouge Bunny Rouge
Not to be missed: The selection of products from young New York-based brands, from Coolife and Atelier de Geste fragrances to Brooklyn Grooming and Meow Meow Tweet toiletries
Details: 360 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217; (347) 529-4681; website.
Nearby: Atelier Cologne (357 Atlantic Avenue). You can also spend hours browsing at retro-quirky gift shops like Dry Goods (362 Atlantic Avenue), and there are plenty of convenient lunch spots in the area, including Mile End Deli (97 Hoyt St.), Building on Bond (112 Bond St.) and Bacchus (409 Atlantic Ave.).
— report and images filed by Jessica M.
Disclaimer: Twisted Lily is currently an advertiser at Now Smell This.
See also
Perfume Shopping in New York City