Niche the Croatian way: Meet the duo behind the newly opened perfumery Mémoire

In a world where everything is accessible, but rarely anything truly special, Mémoire perfumery at Skalinska 2 offers a different, personal experience. Kristijan Berić and Borna Koružnjak, the duo behind this Zagreb niche address, reveal in an interview with DART how fragrances have become a part of their daily rituals, memories and identities, and how they decided to turn that passion into something real.

Their story does not begin with a grand plan but with small moments: the scent of aftershave, a scented candle that changes the atmosphere of a room, a bottle that takes you back to childhood. Mémoire was born from this connection, from the desire to create a place where perfumes are emotional triggers, a subtle signature of the person who wears them.

In this interview, we talk about the first perfumes that left their mark on them, how they choose the brands they import, what makes them happiest in their daily work, and of course, which scents are perfect for the summer ahead.

To begin with, tell us briefly about yourself and how your love affair with niche perfumes began?

Kristijan: My love for fragrances began in my early childhood. I grew up in a family where daily use of perfume or at least aftershave lotion was a common morning routine before going to work. Fragrances accompanied me throughout my growing up and over time became strongly associated with memories and emotions – whether they were happy moments or life lessons. I still vividly remember the smell of the small neighborhood perfumery “Charm” in Utrine, where I often stopped by and which still reminds me of a more carefree time. My real obsession with niche perfumes began in my teenage years, when, thanks to an acquaintance, I had the opportunity to try perfume samples from a large Zagreb perfumery every day. It was the beginning of a serious passion that has only shaped me more and more over the years.

Borna: For me, it all started with scented candles. Through them, I learned about notes, balance, and how scent can affect atmosphere and emotions. Over time, that curiosity naturally drew me towards perfumes. Opening a perfumery gave me the opportunity to observe up close how people react to scents, how their faces change when a perfume takes them back to their childhood, when they smell something that evokes an emotion, or simply find that scent they recognize themselves in. That's where my true love for the world of niche perfumes was born, for that special connection between scent and person.

The idea of opening one's own perfumery was born out of pure love for the world of fragrances, but also from the need to enrich the perfume offer in Zagreb and Croatia with something really special. Their desire was to offer the audience something different. An experience that doesn't just stop at the smell, but includes emotion, memory and story. They are big fans of the French language and culture and were looking for a name that would carry emotion, but also resonate with the vision of the brand they are building.

Mémoire, which means “memory” in French, came about almost instinctively, say Kristijan and Borna. Scent is the most powerful trigger for memory, and that is exactly what they wanted every visit to their perfumery to be, a unique and emotional experience. Mémoire’s vision is to be a meeting place for perfume lovers, those looking for something more than the usual, and to provide a space where fragrances tell their own stories.

Do you remember your first perfume and what perfume was it?

“Of course, I remember that moment very clearly. The first perfume I bought with my own money was Chanel Antaeus – a classic, strong and characterful scent that was also my late father’s favorite perfume. That purchase was not only a symbol of independence, but also an emotional gesture – a kind of legacy and connection to him that I still carry in my heart today.” - Kristijan Berić

“The first one, no, but certainly the first one that made an impression. It was Hugo Boss - In Motion, the original first formulation. That fragrance was really special to me at the time, but it didn't just win me over with its scent. Everything about it was genius. The bottle that looked like something from the future to the entire product presentation. Even then, although I may not have been fully aware of it, I began to appreciate good product design and the way a fragrance can tell a story through every detail.” - Borna Koružnjak

How do you choose the brands that will be available in your perfumery?

Kristijan: Choosing brands is without a doubt the most challenging part of our job. The niche perfume market is extremely rich and diverse, but the space, both physically and logistically, has its limitations. We discover brands in various ways: through global perfume fairs, direct communication with perfume houses, but also thanks to advice and impressions from the perfume community on social networks.

“We often fall in love with a brand or fragrance completely unplanned, and then there's no going back, we simply know we have to bring it. Although there's always a commercial side to the business, we try to choose primarily what genuinely excites us, what evokes emotion and tells an authentic story.” - Kristijan Berić

What do you consider to be the best part of your job since you opened Memoire?

Borna: Without a doubt, working with people. The most beautiful moments are when you share your enthusiasm with someone, help them find a scent that will accompany them for years, or guide them towards a perfume that will be an ideal gift for someone. We are especially happy when someone immerses themselves in the world of niche perfumes for the first time and leaves the perfumery with a smile and a little story in a bottle.

How do you see the future of Mémoire ?

Borna: We see Mémoire as a living organism, constantly evolving and in touch with global perfume trends. Our desire is to continue growing, introducing new brands and expanding the community of niche perfume lovers. We plan to collaborate with several more exclusive houses that are not yet available in this part of Europe. In the long term, we are certainly considering the possibility of expanding. However, we do not want to lose the most important thing, the personal approach and intimate atmosphere that our customers appreciate.

The process of finding the perfect perfume at Mémoire perfumery is understood as a deeply personal and individual experience. Kristijan and Borna approach each customer with care and without rushing, leading a sincere and open conversation about their preferences; whether they like fresh, woody, powdery or gourmand notes, what their lifestyle is, what scents they remember from childhood and on what occasions they plan to wear the perfume. Sometimes a few minutes are enough, and sometimes several visits are enough for a person to truly feel and recognize their signature scent, Kristijan and Borna tell us.

Which perfumes would you single out as best sellers ?

Kristijan: Although this question is always challenging for us because we don't track fragrances solely through numbers, but also through the impression they leave on our customers, we would like to highlight three perfumes that have recently stood out in terms of interest and excellent feedback.

Zaharoff Signature Seraphim Red is a fragrance that combines spirituality, passion and sophistication, with an incredible depth and refinement that has quickly found its loyal audience. The tossed Inexcusable Evil brings a bold and intriguing composition with a dark, almost theatrical character, which has managed to justify its TikTok-hype and turn curiosity into loyalty. And for those looking for a more subtle expression, Maison Label Amber & Fig offers an elegant olfactory story that combines the warmth of amber with the airiness of fig, an ideal balance.

Recently, the Mémoire perfumery has also added Toskovat', a brand that has gained great popularity on social networks, especially on TikTok. Although many discovered it thanks to viral posts, Kristijan and Borna point out that in this case the hype was not without foundation. Their introduction to Toskovat' perfumes happened spontaneously, early in the design phase of Mémoire, when a close friend and perfume enthusiast Slobodan Velicki showed them a few scent samples from his collection. That moment remained deeply etched in their minds, and when the opportunity to collaborate later arose, there was no much thought.

For those who are new to Toskovat' fragrances, they recommend Anarchist A_ and Age Of Innocence . These two perfumes faithfully represent the two sides of the brand; one bold, darker and more experimental, and the other softer, more subtle, but equally expressive. The brand currently has around twenty fragrances on offer, so we believe that everyone will be able to find something that suits them.

Are you personally attached to perfumes?

Kristijan: Of course, many perfumes are not only fragrances for us, but also “emotional capsules” that take us back to important moments in life. We are emotionally connected to many classic designer brands because they marked our first steps in the world of perfumes.

There is also a special connection with the niche brands that we currently hold in perfumery. They are our first, our foundations, the brands that believed in us as much as we believe in them. This connection is almost parental. We watch them grow together with us, how they find their audience and we proudly present them to everyone who enters our space.

What perfume are you currently “wearing”?

Although their collections are constantly changing, Kristijan and Borna often reach for fragrances that combine depth and elegance.

“ I currently rotate a few scents, but Bourresque by the perfume house Le Galion is my go-to scent in these changing spring days. It's a beautiful scent, both deep and airy, with patchouli as the main note. A true classic. ” - Kristijan Berić

On warmer days, they like to choose fragrances that bring a feeling of lightness, but also retain a certain complexity. Such perfumes, they say, always carry character, but without being obtrusive.

“I especially love Ferveur by Le Galion, because I'm drawn to strong ambery scents. It's the type of scent that leaves a mark and has a dose of intensity, which makes it the perfect choice for me when I want to wear something with character.” - Borna Koružnjak

What perfume would you recommend to someone looking for a summer scent?

Borna: The first perfume that spontaneously comes to mind and that we would recommend without hesitation for this time of year is Eau Folle, another perfume from the Le Galion brand interpreted by top perfumer Julien Rasquinet . It is a vibrant, refreshing and extremely elegant fragrance that brilliantly captures the spirit of spring, the awakening of nature, the freshness of early morning rays and the optimism of the sun. It is the perfect choice for anyone looking for something original, airy, but also layered, because Eau Folle is not just another citrus fragrance, but a real little spring masterpiece that develops and surprises throughout the day.

Along with it, we would definitely highlight I Am from the house of Éveilleur, a perfume signed by the famous perfumer Nathalie Lorson. It is a fragrance that combines freshness and tenderness with a very modern, sophisticated character. I Am is ideal for warmer days when you want something unobtrusive, but special, a scent that lingers in the air and is remembered.

Thank you Kristijana and Borna for this pleasant interview!

Photos: Tatjana Bukvić