- Bree Hyland Perfumer:
Bree Hyland is a remarkable and self - taught perfumer hailing from rural Nova Scotia. With a background as a visual artist, she brings a unique creative perspective to the world of perfumery.
Growing up, Hyland struggled to find a scent that resonated with her. Dissatisfied with the overly sweet or floral options typically available, she turned to men's cologne. This dissatisfaction led her to start blending her own scents in 2015, shortly after obtaining a BFA from NSCAD University in Halifax. From this, she founded Barre, an artisanal, small - batch, and genderless perfume line.
Barre is not just a perfume brand; it is an expression of Hyland's artistic vision. Each scent in the collection is designed to create unique aromas suitable for any season and mood, aiming to ignite lust, attraction, magic, and mystery. Hyland's approach is highly creative, and she doesn't focus on traditional metrics like sales numbers. As she primarily identifies as an artist, everything she does in the process of making perfume has to be exciting for her. Her self - taught nature has instilled in her a strong inclination to experiment, which is evident in the diverse range of scents she has created.
The names of Barre's perfumes, such as "Outlaw", "Cult", and "Creep", give the brand a cheeky, cool, and slightly dangerous persona. These scents, which often feature musky and sensual notes, appeal to customers who value individuality over brand recognition. The brand is carried in independent shops like 100% Silk in Toronto, known for being outside the mainstream fashion and beauty culture, and the sustainably - minded boutique Slowly Slowly in Halifax.
Hyland has released a number of perfumes over the years, including "Century XXI" (2018), "Grimoire" (2016), "Red Envelope" (2016), "Outlaw" (2018), "Overcast" (2019), "Smoulder" (2019), "Volta" (2019), "Creep" (2022), "Cult" (2022), "Dolly" (2022), "Salty Rose" (2022), "Summerboy" (2022), and "Money" (2023). Each of these fragrances represents a new exploration in her olfactory journey, and she plans to continue releasing one or two scents a year, focusing on creating high - quality, strong perfumes at her own pace.
