Akro

Akro is a London‑based niche perfume brand founded by Anaïs Cresp, working closely with her father, master perfumer Olivier Cresp. Multiple interviews and retailer write‑ups date the launch of Akro to 2018, following an earlier conceptual phase that began around 2017 while Anaïs was living and working in Ladbroke Grove in West London.

According to the brand’s own story, the idea for Akro came from Anaïs becoming fascinated by the smells of everyday city life: flower stalls, coffee shops, charcoal grills, whiskey‑laden pubs, leather, and even cannabis smoke. Rather than focusing on conventional themes like fruits or florals, she envisioned perfumes that translate everyday pleasures and personal vices into wearable compositions. To realise this concept, she turned to Olivier Cresp, a long‑established Firmenich perfumer known for mainstream hits such as Mugler Angel and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. Together they built a collection where each scent is structured around a specific “addiction” such as coffee, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, alcohol, or fresh air.

Akro’s headquarters and creative base are in London, with the brand’s roots and family heritage in Grasse and the French Riviera, where the Cresp family has worked in perfumery materials for generations. The name "Akro" comes from the French slang word "accro," meaning someone who is hooked or addicted. The brand presents itself as intentionally direct and sometimes rough‑edged, with compositions that do not attempt to appeal to everyone and that often highlight strong, realistic gourmand, boozy, or smoky accords rather than safe crowd‑pleasing blends.