Moth and Rabbit

Berlin-based cinematic niche house translating films and contemporary art into conceptual perfumes.

About Moth and Rabbit

Moth and Rabbit is a niche perfume house founded in Berlin in 2016 by art director and curator Elke Filpes and artist Seongnam Christian Choi (often credited as Christian or Seong Nam Choi). Authorities such as Parfumo and multiple stockists list the brand as German, with its concept described as a collaboration between Berlin and Paris. The founders position the project as an avant-garde, film-driven perfumery that treats scent as a narrative medium rather than a purely decorative accessory.

From the outset, Moth and Rabbit has worked closely with perfumer Mark Buxton, who is credited as the nose behind the line. The fragrances are typically produced in eau de parfum concentration and many of them are named after cult or art-house films such as "Dolls", "Holy Motors" and other cinema references, with each composition built around themes, moods, and visual cues from the corresponding movie. This cinematic framework makes the catalog strongly concept-driven, often prioritising atmosphere, texture and emotion over traditional pyramid structures.

Stylistically, the brand leans experimental: compositions frequently explore unusual note pairings, slightly abstract accords, and contrasts that can feel more like scenes or cuts in a film than a smooth linear drydown. Retailers and brand materials highlight a minimal, contemporary design language in the packaging, underscoring the idea of Moth and Rabbit as an art project as much as a perfume line. Distribution remains relatively selective, focused on concept stores and specialist fragrance retailers in Europe and abroad.

Within the broader niche landscape, Moth and Rabbit is best understood as a cinematic, story-first house that caters to wearers who value artistic direction and intellectual framing as highly as wearability. Its growing catalog since 2019 reflects an ongoing commitment to translating film and contemporary culture into olfactory form, maintaining a consistent collaboration with Mark Buxton and a strong Berlin-Paris identity.

At a Glance

The Brand

Founded 2016
Founder Elke Filpes and Seongnam Christian Choi
Country Germany
Category Niche

Scent Personality

Sweetness
Mild
Freshness
Mild
Boldness
High
Uniqueness
Very High

Worth It?

Price ££££
Value
Moderate
Accessibility
Mild

Scent DNA

Woody Smoky Resinous Musky Experimental
  • Scents often feel like atmospheric vignettes inspired by specific films, with emphasis on mood and narrative over conventional prettiness
  • There is frequent use of dry woods, smoke, mineral or metallic nuances, and textural accords that can read abstract or slightly challenging
  • A consistent collaboration with perfumer Mark Buxton gives the line a recognisable sharp, modern, slightly edgy style across different themes

Typical Performance

Longevity
Long
Projection
Moderate

Positioning

A niche, luxury house known for woody compositions.

How It Compares

Who It's For

Best For

  • Art and film enthusiasts who enjoy concept-driven scents
  • Niche collectors seeking experimental but wearable compositions
  • Cool-weather and evening wear where smoky and woody themes shine
  • Gallery, cinema, and cultural events where a cerebral fragrance fits
  • Fragrance users bored with standard designer structures

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Coherent cinematic concept that ties the collection together and appeals to story-focused wearers.[4][6][8]
  • Distinctive Mark Buxton signature that provides character and identity across releases.[2][11]
  • Willingness to explore odd, textural, and slightly avant-garde directions within a relatively compact line.[1][3][9]
  • Minimal yet considered visual design that complements the artistic positioning.[1][3]

Weaknesses

  • Limited retail distribution and small brand awareness make it harder to sample, especially outside Europe.[1][4][8]
  • Conceptual, film-inspired framing may feel obscure or over-intellectual for users who just want a straightforward everyday scent.[4][6]
  • Some compositions lean experimental enough that they can be polarising, with less versatility than mainstream designer offerings.[1][3]

Brand Evolution

Although founded in 2016, the first fragrances in the database appear from 2019 onward, showing a relatively late but concentrated launch phase. The early catalog focused on a handful of film-inspired scents, then expanded steadily, maintaining the Mark Buxton collaboration as a constant creative anchor. Over time, the house has leaned further into its Berlin-Paris, art-house identity, with retailers increasingly presenting it as an experimental or contemporary perfumery project rather than a traditional luxury label. The narrative and visual tie-ins to cinema remain central, suggesting evolution through new film themes rather than radical stylistic shifts.

Quick Verdict

A highly concept-driven, cinematic niche house that will resonate with film and art lovers who enjoy dry, woody, and slightly offbeat compositions. Less ideal if you prefer easygoing, mass-appeal sweetness or simple, crowd-pleasing signatures.

Perfumers

Moth and Rabbit Perfumes

Browse all 15 Moth and Rabbit perfumes