MOON DUST
Eau de Parfum
MiN NEW YORK
Statement
MiN NEW YORK
Narrative-driven NYC niche house known for cinematic, Grasse-made compositions like Moon Dust and Scent Stories.
About MiN NEW YORK
MiN NEW YORK is a New York City based niche fragrance brand founded in 1999 by Chad Murawczyk. The company began as a curated grooming and fragrance concept and evolved into a house focused on storytelling through scent, with compositions produced in collaboration with French perfumers in Grasse. Murawczyk has emphasized the careful selection and blending of raw materials as central to the brand’s identity.
The label is best known for its Scent Stories collections, launched in 2014, which present numbered perfumes built around specific moods or scenes rather than conventional market briefs. One of its most talked about releases is Moon Dust, frequently referenced by the brand and community as a signature scent, built around mineral, warm, and smoky nuances that suggest a futuristic, atmospheric character. Other compositions like Momento highlight the brand’s focus on memory, nostalgia, and place.
MiN NEW YORK leans into an urban, cinematic style: many fragrances juxtapose airy or sparkling openings with darker woods, incense, or resinous bases. The brand keeps distribution relatively selective and often presents its perfumes as limited, experimental, or chapter-based works. Over time, it has expanded into candles and ancillary products, but the core reputation rests on its narrative-driven, Grasse-crafted eau de parfums that appeal to enthusiasts looking for characterful, concept-led scents.
At a Glance
The Brand
Founded
1999
Founder
Chad Murawczyk
Country
United States
Category
Niche
Scent Personality
Worth It?
Scent DNA
Woody
Smoky
Resinous
Aromatic
Gourmand
- MiN NEW YORK fragrances are typically story-led, with names and concepts that read like film scenes or diary entries
- Many blends contrast a relatively bright or herbal opening with darker, smoky, or resinous bases, giving them a moody, cinematic character
- The house favors noticeable structure and texture over sheer minimalism, so its scents often feel layered and atmospheric rather than clean and linear
Typical Performance
Longevity
Long
Projection
Moderate
Positioning
A niche, luxury house known for woody compositions.
How It Compares
- → Art-driven concept style similar to État Libre d'Orange
- → Urban, slightly dark aesthetic comparable to Byredo
- → Storytelling collection approach reminiscent of Memo Paris
- → Less sweet and more mineral-smoky than Mancera
- → More experimental and atmospheric than Diptyque
Who It's For
Best For
- Evening wear
- Cool weather and autumn-winter
- Collectors of narrative or concept perfumes
- Niche enthusiasts exploring smoky or mineral woods
- Statement scents for urban settings
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Distinctive, story-driven concepts that stand out in a crowded niche market
- Well-constructed smoky, woody, and mineral compositions like Moon Dust
- Consistent artistic direction across the Scent Stories line
- Good longevity with nuanced development on skin
Weaknesses
- Pricing sits firmly in the luxury niche bracket, which limits casual buy-in
- Some compositions skew dark, smoky, or experimental, making them challenging for everyday office wear
- Distribution can be patchy outside major cities and select retailers
- Naming and concept-led marketing can raise expectations that not every wearer will find matched in the juice
Brand Evolution
MiN NEW YORK began as a New York grooming and fragrance destination and gradually shifted its focus toward in-house perfumery, culminating in the launch of Scent Stories in 2014. That move positioned the brand firmly in the narrative niche segment, emphasizing numbered, chapter-like releases. Over time, the catalog has expanded to include experimental and limited lines, but the core approach remains: French-crafted compositions that explore specific moods, textures, and memories rather than mass-market trends.
Quick Verdict
MiN NEW YORK is a solid choice for fragrance fans who like moody, cinematic scents and do not mind paying luxury-niche prices. If you enjoy smoky minerals, textured woods, and concept-heavy storytelling, this house is worth exploring; if you prefer easygoing freshies, it may feel too serious and niche-focused.
MiN NEW YORK Perfumes