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A new pop-up called The Gallery of Scent has opened at Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, inviting visitors to spend an afternoon sniffing their way through dozens of fragrance notes in search of their personal scent identity. The experience comes courtesy of Element Brooklyn, a Brooklyn-based fragrance brand, which has taken over a storefront at 192 Front Street for the summer as part of the Downtown Alliance's RE:Store program.
The centerpiece of the shop is a free interactive installation that’s both science and art: guests move through a gallery of 30 touch-activated fragrance misters, each featuring an individual perfume note—from bright citrus and fresh herbs to warm woods, florals and musks.
Visitors rate each scent as they go, then their selections are translated into a personalized "scent aura archetype." Finally, they'll receive a Scent Portrait, a Polaroid-style printout inspired by the fragrances they gravitated toward. The keepsake combines colors, textures and visual elements tied to your scent preferences, essentially turning your nose into a mood board.
Beyond the fragrance gallery, the pop-up also serves as a showroom for Element Brooklyn's collection of soaps, candles, lotions and hair care products. (The Bushwick-based company is known for its elevated fragrances at relatively accessible prices—with many scents serving as convincing “dupes” of luxury brands.)
The shop also includes a refill station stocked with 10 of the brand's best-selling soap fragrances, where visitors can bring their own bottles and refill them by weight, helping cut down on single-use plastic while trying out new scents.
For anyone who wants a more hands-on experience, Element Brooklyn is also hosting candle-pouring workshops led by members of its Bushwick production team. During the sessions, participants choose a fragrance, customize it with various scent boosters and pour their own candle to take home. Workshops cost $45 per person and include all materials.
The Gallery of Scent is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm through September 6. Whether you're hunting for a new signature fragrance or simply looking for a free activity that doesn't involve a screen, this might be the best-smelling detour you'll take all summer.