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d.grayi
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d.grayi
Story driven American indie perfumes blending gourmand, resinous and green accords in unisex compositions.
About d.grayi
d.grayi is an American indie perfume brand founded in 2022 by perfumer James Nguyen, also known as Miju. Nosie notes that Nguyen came to perfumery after a 15 year career in hair color and a period of experimenting with cosmetic chemistry to manage his own fragrance sensitivities. The brand operates through LV1 Studio LLC, which markets d.grayi fragrances such as Jade Phoenix.
According to Nosie, the creative spark for d.grayi came from a vivid dream in which a deceased loved one described a fragrance built around a detailed narrative, pushing Nguyen toward full time perfumery and a focus on story driven scents. That emphasis on narrative is evident in perfumes like Myrrh Cat (2023), White Rabbit (2024), Pho-Gere (2024), and Jade Phoenix, each built around specific imagery and cultural references. Myrrh Cat is described by FragView as an oriental spicy composition, while White Rabbit is classified by Fragrantica as a floral fruity gourmand and Pho-Gere by Parfumo as a green gourmand. These examples illustrate the brand's willingness to combine gourmand, resinous, and green facets in unconventional ways.
Aromo classifies D. Grayi as an artisan perfumery brand from the United States that produces unisex fragrances in various strengths, including extrait, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette, with a growing catalog of dozens of scents. Online stockists and LV1 Studio highlight its positioning in the indie and small batch segment, with releases frequently discussed on niche review platforms and Reddit communities focused on independent makeup and fragrance. The overall portfolio suggests a house that experiments across styles while maintaining a consistent focus on storytelling, cultural references, and rich, often gourmand leaning compositions.
At a Glance
The Brand
Founded
2022
Founder
James Nguyen
Country
United States
Category
Indie
Scent Personality
Worth It?
Scent DNA
Gourmand
Resinous
Spicy
Green
Floral
- d.grayi scents are strongly narrative, often built around specific images, foods or cultural references like pho or mythic animals, which gives them a distinctive storytelling angle
- The compositions frequently layer gourmand elements with resins, spice and green facets, resulting in complex, sometimes offbeat unisex perfumes that stand apart from mainstream releases
Typical Performance
Longevity
Long
Projection
Moderate
Positioning
A indie, mid house known for gourmand compositions.
How It Compares
- → Similar experimental gourmand orientation to Imaginary Authors
- → Less polished and more artisanal than Maison Margiela
- → Sweeter and more story driven than Dior
- → More resinous and dense than Jo Malone London
Who It's For
Best For
- Indie fragrance collectors
- Gourmand and resin lovers
- Unisex wearers seeking story driven scents
- Cool weather wear
- Day to evening casual wear
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Distinctive storytelling and themes tied to each scent[5][4]
- Rich use of gourmand, resinous and spicy accords for characterful compositions[3][4][11]
- Unisex positioning across the range, giving broad wearability[4][14]
- Artisan scale with a large and evolving catalog of options[14]
Weaknesses
- Moderate to strong sweetness can be overwhelming for those preferring very fresh or minimal styles.[3][11]
- Limited physical retail presence compared to designer brands makes sampling harder.[9][12]
- Experimental concepts and naming may feel niche or confusing to mainstream buyers.[4][10]
Brand Evolution
From its launch in 2022, d.grayi quickly expanded its catalog, moving from early resinous and oriental leaning compositions like Myrrh Cat into greener and more whimsical concepts such as Pho-Gere and White Rabbit. The brand has maintained a consistent unisex focus while broadening its palette from heavy gourmands to fresher green and floral elements. Marketing through LV1 Studio and indie platforms shows a gradual shift from small niche visibility toward greater online distribution, while still retaining an artisan, narrative driven identity.
Quick Verdict
d.grayi is an indie house for enthusiasts who enjoy bold, story based perfumes with gourmand and resinous depth rather than clean, minimal compositions. If you like narrative concepts and unconventional accords, it is worth hunting samples despite the limited distribution.
