Clandestine Laboratories is an American brand that was established by Mark Sage. The brand’s journey began in 2010, when Sage unexpectedly found himself captivated by the world of fragrance. Up until that point, he hadn’t given much thought to perfumery, as he had never personally worn fine fragrances and only noticed them when they were overpowering or displeasing. Raised by British scientists, Sage was never exposed to the art of perfume creation. If his parents taught him anything about fragrances, it was to feel indifferent towards them.

Despite his scientific upbringing, and perhaps partly due to it, Sage became an artist and a perfumer. Perfumery, in many ways, is a peculiar form of art. Picture being a painter, except instead of working with a limited range of paint colors that can be mixed to achieve various shades and then applied to create representations or abstractions, you have hundreds of materials that need to be blended. Each composition requires specific ingredients, used in proportions that account for their strength, diffusion, longevity, and desired effect. If one ingredient is missing, another is incorrect, or the proportions are off, the final result falls short. Moreover, fragrances must gradually unfold over time, as each material has its own unique effects as it evolves. It can take years of frustration and failure to create a successful fragrance formula, at least for someone like Sage, who holds himself to high standards. He often wears what he believes to be finished fragrances, only to revisit them years later after encountering a scent he dislikes. The sense of smell itself complicates perfumery further. Imagine trying to paint a picture using colors that become nearly invisible the longer you stare at them, with some colors being more susceptible to this effect than others. Now imagine that certain elements, certain colors, actually influence and change one another in your perception. This is the reality of the olfactory realm, and it is the reason why crafting outstanding fragrances that are original and not mere imitations is an exceptionally challenging task.

Fortunately, this story has a satisfying ending. Over time, Sage discovered that the near-impossibility of creating a remarkable fragrance is precisely what makes the endeavor so captivating. The genuine reactions of people when they encounter a fragrance they truly adore for the first time are something that cannot be fabricated. And now, the time has come for Clandestine Laboratories to share their creations with the world.

Designer brand Clandestine Laboratories boasts an impressive collection of 15 perfumes in their fragrance base. Although relatively new, the brand has made significant strides since its inception in 2012, with the latest addition to their portfolio launching in 2023. The visionary behind these fragrances is none other than Mark Sage himself, whose olfactory expertise is responsible for bringing these captivating scents to life.