Ben Gorham

Ben Gorham’s journey into the world of luxury fragrances began unexpectedly after a career in professional basketball. Born with Indian and Canadian roots, Gorham initially pursued fine arts at the Stockholm Art School after concluding his sports career. It was during this period that a chance encounter with a perfumer sparked his interest in the invisible communication of scent. This interest eventually led him to establish Byredo in Stockholm in 2006. His initial concept for Byredo was centered around the connection between smell and memory, rather than traditional beauty narratives, which he found difficult to relate to. Gorham approached fragrance creation subjectively, aiming to bottle emotions and stories. His first fragrance, Green, featuring sage, orange, and musk, marked the brand’s entry into the market.

From its inception, Byredo was conceived as more than just a fragrance company. Gorham’s vision included expanding into other product categories, though it took several years to build a stable business foundation before diversifying. In 2013, Manzanita Capital acquired a majority stake in Byredo, supporting its growth while Gorham remained central to its creative direction. The brand later expanded into color cosmetics, partnering with makeup artists such as Isamaya Ffrench, and broadened its offerings to include leather goods, eyewear, and fine jewelry. Notably, Byredo launched its first collection of handbags and accessories during Paris Fashion Week in 2017. Gorham’s approach continuously challenged industry norms by prioritizing unique stories and high-quality products over mass-market appeal or traditional advertising, earning Byredo a distinct position in the luxury market.

A significant milestone in Byredo’s history occurred in May 2022 when the Spanish conglomerate Puig acquired a majority stake in the company, which was then valued over one billion euros. Gorham remained as Chief Creative Officer and a shareholder to oversee the transition following the acquisition. He is set to depart from the brand at the end of June 2025, nineteen years after its founding. Throughout his tenure, Gorham closely collaborated with perfumer Jérôme Epinette, creating 37 fragrances that became cultural touchstones, including notable scents like Gypsy Water, Mojave Ghost, and Bal d’Afrique. His leadership emphasized creative freedom and a unique brand identity, allowing Byredo to expand its product lines while maintaining an emotional and artistic core.