Confession: I only light a Diptyque candle if I have a fresh, unopened one on standby. Call me crazy, but I can’t bear the thought of my Diptyque collection dwindling. Lighting up the brand’s spicy Pomander Candle will easily make my day, but finishing it makes me embarrassingly sad.
So when I stubbornly refuse to light them, my Diptyque candles serve as decor in my tiny — but decently chic! — studio apartment in New York City. If you’re new to the Parisian perfumer, let us paint a picture of the timeless home must-have. It’s easily recognized by oval-shaped black-and-white label and signature jumbled letters spelling out its fragrance.
Chances are, though, you’re already a big fan of the brand, which has an impressive list of celebrity clients, including Meghan Markle, Nicole Richie, and Victoria Beckham — to name a few. Harry Styles even once admitted that he loves to travel with the brand’s spicy cinnamon Canelle Candle. Chic!
Diptyque has 22 (now 24) brick-and-mortar boutiques in the United States, or as the brand calls them, ateliers. The two newest locations recently landed in New York City: one on Prince Street in Manhattan and the other in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
As the brand puts it, these new locations are inspired by “the special ambiance of Diptyque’s wax and fragrance workshops.” The new atelier’s interiors feature wood, aged steel, and plaster to resemble the factory where its products are made in France.
Why is Diptyque so focused on ensuring that its interiors tell a story? Well, first of all, because it’s a Parisian brand. That said, every detail matters. Second, the brand deems it crucial to keeping in line with the brand’s history. “Our story started with a store,” Julien Gommichon, president of the Americas for Diptyque, told WWD. “It’s always the principle that each store feels connected to the community. It’s not just to showcase, but we try to immerse our clients in the Diptyque universe of arts and culture.”
He continued, “When you celebrate the art of living through the senses, the notion of customers’ in-store connection is also a connection with the brand.”
The interior of both boutiques will match, but the Prince Street location’s exterior will pay special tribute to the brand’s artistic background and the NYC art community. Diptyque is partnering with local artist C. Finley to create a Diptyque-themed mural that will live on Mott Street.
Diptyque hasn’t always been solely synonymous with high-end candles and home decor influencers. When founders France Yves Coueslant, Christiane Gautrot and, Desmond Knox-Leet opened their first boutique in 1961, their focus was on fabrics and wallpaper.
It wasn’t until 1963 that they unveiled their first three candles: Aubépine, Cannelle, and Thé. And then, in 1968, Diptyque released its first Eau de Toilette, L’Eau. All of these scents are still available for purchase today at its original location on Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris.
Add the OG atelier to your list of must-see attractions for next time you’re in the City of Lights. If you’ve never been and you’re a Diptyque-lover it’s as important to see as the Eiffel Tower. Take our word for it.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that the brand made its way to the United States, originally only appearing in luxury department stores. As its brick-and-mortar empire continues to expand, we can hardly wait to see what’s next for the luxury perfumer.
