by Micaela Morganelli
Rundholz translates its expressive fashion language into perfumes that capture the essence of time.
There are fashion brands that create clothes, and there are those that create worlds. Rundholz belongs firmly to the latter. Founded in 1993 by Lenka and Carsten Rundholz, the German label has long been synonymous with an avant-garde vision rooted in art, architecture, and the quiet poetry of craftsmanship. Each garment is a piece of wearable expressionism — uncompromising, conceptual, and designed to outlive trends.
From the very beginning, the Rundholz philosophy has been one of duality: precision meets imagination, structure meets emotion, and beauty is found not in perfection but in depth. Over the years, this aesthetic language has expanded beyond the boundaries of fabric. It was only natural that the brand’s sensory universe would one day evolve into fragrance — the most intimate form of art. Thus, Rundholz Parfums was born.
Translating Vision into Scent
To transform a visual and tactile brand identity into an olfactory experience requires both artistry and intuition. For this, Rundholz turned to the Italian master perfumer Arturetto Landi, whose creations are celebrated for their complexity and emotional power. Together, they crafted a collection of seven distinct fragrances — each as enigmatic and idiosyncratic as the fashion that inspired them.
Every scent is named after a date — an approach that might at first seem cryptic but, in fact, encapsulates the essence of the Rundholz world. A date is more than a number; it is a fragment of time, a portal to memory, emotion, and imagination. Through these perfumes, Rundholz invites us to experience time in a new way: to revisit a past moment, to dwell in the present, or to dream of what lies ahead.
With high concentrations of oils and meticulously sourced ingredients, each fragrance is designed for intensity and longevity — lingering on the skin like the echo of an encounter or the trace of a memory.
Feb. 14, 1912 – The Elegance of Contradiction
At once delicate and daring, Feb. 14, 1912 captures the duality at the heart of the Rundholz ethos. The top notes open with a luminous blend of orange, bergamot, star anise, and sweet fennel, underscored by the soft creaminess of milk and the earthy sweetness of licorice.
The heart reveals an elegant bouquet of iris, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, heliotrope, and carnation, softened by the subtle warmth of carrot seed — a note that adds depth and unexpected tenderness.
The base is a quiet crescendo of cedarwood, musk, leather, and tonka bean, leaving a trail that feels both sensual and cerebral. The result is a fragrance that resists definition — romantic yet unorthodox, soft yet commanding — a poetic contradiction that lingers long after the first impression fades.
12th of Oct. 1492 – A Journey Across Time
If Feb. 14, 1912 whispers, 12th of Oct. 1492 roars. Inspired by exploration and discovery, it evokes the spirit of voyages into the unknown — both literal and emotional. The fragrance opens with a strikingly rich medley of rhubarb, pink pepper, cinnamon, ginger, bergamot, black currant, plum, peach, apple, and mango. It is a kaleidoscope of sensations: tart, sweet, spicy, and sun-warmed.
At its heart, a trio of jasmine, iris, and lily of the valley lends a sense of refinement and quiet luminosity — a moment of pause in the sensory storm.
The base, however, reclaims the darkness: vanilla, sugar, leather, agarwood, nagarmotha, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, incense, amber, and musk merge into an opulent, resinous trail. It’s the scent of discovery and transformation — bold, layered, and unforgettable.
Scent as Memory, Time as Art
To experience a Rundholz perfume is to engage in a dialogue between memory and imagination. Just as their garments sculpt the body into new forms, their fragrances sculpt time itself — transforming fleeting moments into something eternal.
In a world obsessed with immediacy, Rundholz stands apart, reminding us that true luxury lies not in excess but in intention. Every stitch, every note, every molecule is part of a greater composition — one that challenges perception and invites reflection.
Ultimately, Rundholz Parfums is not about smelling beautiful; it is about feeling deeply. It is an art form that, like all great art, refuses to be forgotten.