In this interview, MICHAŁ GILBERT LACH, founder of BOHOBOCO, shares the brand’s journey from fashion to fragrance. He reflects on the creation of his perfume collection, beginning with the evocative Vanilla Black Pepper, inspired by childhood memories. Gilbert discusses the expressive freedom of perfumery compared to fashion, his collaboration with perfumers, and the deeply personal stories each fragrance carries. He reveals the meaning behind provocative names like Magic Mushrooms and Polish Potatoes and hints at future projects, driven by a passion to leave an indelible mark in the fragrance world.
Gilbert, you come from the fashion industry, and BOHOBOCO initially started as a clothing brand. How did the idea of launching a perfume line come about?
It’s a very long story, the beginnings of which go back many years. I always dreamed of the fashion brand BOHOBOCO having its own perfume line, which I consider a natural step in the development of such a brand. In 2012, I managed to make this dream come true by releasing the first perfume “Number One”, which is currently called “Vanilla Black Pepper”. This perfume, with its characteristic accords of black pepper and vanilla, is still very popular and is extremely important to me.
The decision to focus solely on perfumes after closing the fashion brand BOHOBOCO in 2020 gave me new energy and opened the door to development in a completely different field. BOHOBOCO PERFUME has become not only a product for me, but also a way to express myself and my vision. Creating fragrances is a true art in which you can tell stories, evoke emotions and memories, and all this without the limitations that often accompany fashion, such as trends or seasonality.
Interestingly, when I created my first perfume, I did not think that it would become my main occupation and the key to an international career. Today, the development of the BOHOBOCO PERFUME line is not only a challenge for me, but also a great joy, which allows me to express my creativity even more fully. Thanks to this, I can build a brand that is not only a symbol of the art of fragrance, but also of my passion for creation, which is extremely important to me.
The synergy between fashion and perfumery has existed for over a century. How do your fragrances relate to fashion? Could you provide an example?
Yes, it’s true, the synergy between fashion and perfumery has existed for centuries. Do my perfumes refer to fashion? In a way, I can doubt it. After a dozen or so years of creating a fashion brand, I felt that it was time to escape into the world of perfumes, especially niche ones. This is a new beginning for me, which gives me much more space and freedom in realizing my visions and creativity.
The olfactory world is a place where I can fully express myself, using an extremely powerful tool, which is scent. Perfumes have the ability to affect emotions in a way that is not possible in fashion. They give a chance for a non-verbal dialogue that goes deeper than words. Perfumes can evoke memories, arouse desires or build an atmosphere, which makes them an extremely intimate and personal experience.
However, despite this unique freedom, there is one common factor: each of us wants their perfumes to become fashionable, to fit into the canon of fashion perfumes and to be successful on the market. It is a natural desire to be part of global trends and reach the hearts of people around the world. After all, perfume is not just a scent; it is about emotions, memories and stories that can connect people in a way that transcends boundaries.
What was your first release, and what was the development process like? Who is behind the creation of BOHOBOCO’s fragrances?
The first perfume I created for the BOHOBOCO brand is Vanilla Black Pepper. The process of creating it was incredibly inspiring and full of discoveries for me. The history of this perfume dates back to my childhood memories of a magical Christmas Eve spent in a small town with my grandmother – a woman full of passion, devotion and excitement. It was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life when I entered the kitchen and saw her leaning over the counter. The aromas of her dishes wafted throughout the house, and the sharpness of black pepper delicately combined with the subtlety of vanilla, creating an illusory image full of contrasts and colors. Each of her dishes created a new story, and every detail was as carefully crafted as the premiere of the most magnificent art. I always remember: “Of all my childhood memories, this is the one I remember the best. I looked at my grandmother as if hypnotized, full of admiration for her commitment, devotion and enthusiasm”. These metaphysical memories inspired me to create the unique BOHOBOCO • PERFUME line, which opened with the VANILLA • BLACK PEPPER perfume. This composition reflects a journey deep inside yourself to find your true self and the path to a life full of passion, dedication to what you love and excitement of the moment. In a minimalist perfume bottle, I have hidden dreams of creative passion, dedication and inner excitement. The sweet and spicy aroma is incredibly seductive and remains in your memory for a long time.
Behind the creation of BOHOBOCO perfumes are not only my visions, but also cooperation with many talented perfumers from around the world. Together we explore different ingredients, test combinations and strive to create a composition that is not only attractive, but also full of depth and character. Thanks to this process, each composition that is created under the BOHOBOCO banner is unique and has its own story to tell.
How would you describe BOHOBOCO’s portfolio? Is there a common thread that connects all the fragrances? Does any of them hold special significance for you?
The BOHOBOCO • PERFUME portfolio is my artistic spectrum, which is a creative voice in the world of niche perfumes. Each composition is not just a perfume; it is a story, emotions and memories that evoke my roots in Poland. Thanks to this, my brand stands out on the market and gains the title of “unique”. Recently, I hear more and more often that we are “out of the box”, which makes me extremely happy, but for me the most important thing is what our recipients feel.
I would prefer them to describe my perfumes, because each of them is my “child” – it carries fragments of my most important memories, moments of joy and sadness and experiences that shaped my path. These compositions are like souvenirs for me, that remind me of these important moments in life. Each of them is saturated with emotions that I have experienced and is a reflection of my soul.
Do you know a father who favors his child more than others? Each of my perfumes is unique to me and each has its own story to tell. That’s why when I create, I put my heart into it and the results are not just notes but also feelings that have the power to connect people with their memories and dreams. I believe that perfumes have an incredible power to evoke emotions and I want everyone who wears my compositions to feel like they are part of that narrative.emotions, and I aspire for everyone who wears my compositions to feel a part of this narrative.
The names of your fragrances are quite unique. Which one would you say is the most controversial? Where did its concept come from?
The names of my perfumes are undoubtedly unique because they reflect my deepest memories and emotions. I believe that each of them must be as extraordinary as the stories they carry. At first, I thought that our names were simple and unartistic for a brand, but over time I discovered that in just a few words you can capture all the magic and essence of a given composition, while helping customers understand their individual characters.
Latest launches, MAGIC • MUSHROOMS and POLISH • POTATOES, not only caught the attention of the audience, but also intrigued them enough to start to see the depth of emotions and stories that these names carry. Although my goal was not only to surprise, these unique names perfectly capture the essence of the compositions and arouse curiosity, leading to a deeper discovery of their meaning.
The concepts of these names come from my most precious memories, which I passionately transform into an olfactory language in both the composition and the name itself. Each name is not just a label, but a deeply rooted story that connects my personal story with the emotions of our recipients. I want these compositions to be more than just scents for people; they are meant to be a bridge to memories, an inspiration for reflection and a way to discover yourself. I believe that perfumes have the power to evoke emotions and our names are the key to these unique experiences.
BOHOBOCO is already a well-established perfume brand in an extremely competitive market. What are your plans for the near future?
It is a great joy for me that my brand is recognized in the world of perfumes, although from my perspective I still see a lot of opportunities ahead of us to discover and grow. Every day, my team and I work to make our visions even more ambitious – for me, the sky is not the limit; this is just the beginning of our journey.
We are slowly starting to take stronger steps in the industry and our individualism is becoming more and more pronounced, which fills me with enthusiasm. In the face of such a competitive market, we cannot afford to slow down or stagnate; we have to constantly develop and surprise our audiences. The plans for the near future are really exciting and promising, but as my grandmother taught me, I have preferred to keep them secret for some time now. I believe that revealing ideas too early can prevent them from being fully realized and also creates pressure that I would rather avoid.
That is why we act with determination and focus, realizing my dreams step by step. I am full of excitement at what the future will hold. I look forward to the moment when I can share our achievements with our audiences, when everything will be ready to be revealed in its full glory.
What mark would BOHOBOCO like to leave in history?
BOHOBOCO wants to leave a mark in history that will reflect authenticity, passion and creativity. I would like our brand to be seen as synonymous with unique experiences that combine emotions with olfactory stories. I dream of BOHOBOCO becoming not only a perfume brand, but also a platform that inspires people to discover themselves and their sensitivity through scents.
I want our compositions to be remembered as magical bridges to memories and emotions that each of us carries within. Our goal is to create perfumes that not only dazzle the senses, but also evoke deep reflections and feelings, encouraging a personal journey deep inside oneself.
BOHOBOCO hopes that our influence on the world of perfumes will be positive and lasting, encouraging greater openness to art, culture and individualism. I would like our brand to be a symbol of courage in pursuing dreams, inspiring the next generations of creators and enthusiasts to act with soul and passion.
How would you define perfume?
Perfumes are artistic compositions that take us deep into the soul, uncovering hidden emotions and memories. They are not just scents; they are magical stories that paint our lives, awakening desires and deeply moving us, inspiring the discovery of the most beautiful moments that shape our identity. They allow for a dialogue on a non-verbal level, becoming the narrative of our souls.
Gilbert, thank you for your time and for sharing valuable insights with us. Would you like to add something before we wrap up?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I would like to add that for me, each perfume composition is not only a creative process, but also a form of expression that connects people on a deeper level. I encourage everyone to discover not only perfumes, but also their own emotions and memories that can be associated with them. I believe that perfumes have the power to inspire and discover oneself. At the same time, I hope that the niche industry, which is developing rapidly, will remain faithful to its artistic paths, creatively crossing boundaries and opening new doors. Commercial success should never destroy its foundations as a space for creative challenges. Unfortunately, I see a tendency in the industry to focus too much on sales, but I am convinced that strong creative directors who exist in this space will defend its values. It is our role to fulfill this mission and contribute to the development of the industry in a way that inspires future generations.
Follow BOHOBOCO on Instagram: @bohoboco.perfume
Check out BOHOBOCO: https://bohobocoperfume.us
(images cortesy of BOHOBOCO)
