The Scent of Equality: A Berlin Story About Perfume, Purpose and Belonging

Every now and then, Lukas from Equality pops by for a spontaneous visit, and we always love having him around. It’s one of the perks of having such a talented creator living just around the corner!

We always look forward to hearing the stories behind his fragrances, what inspires him and all the thoughts and ideas that go into creating them. There’s always something interesting to discover, not only about his creations but also about Lukas himself. It’s what makes Equality so much more than just a perfume house.

There are perfumes designed to attract attention, and then there are perfumes designed to make us think. Equality Fragrances belongs, rather unusually, to the latter category. Founded in 2019 by Berlin local Lukas Görlitz and his friend and business partner Sebastian Fischer, the fragrance house began with a question that had very little to do with perfume: what if a business could stand for something beyond itself?

Berlin is an interesting place from which to ask such a question. A city shaped by division, reunification, migration and reinvention, it has long been a meeting point for people who might otherwise never have crossed paths. Its identity is inseparable from ideas of freedom, individuality and the right to belong. Perhaps it is fitting, then, that a fragrance brand concerned with equality should emerge from here.

The inspiration came against a particular political backdrop. Following the 2019 European elections, Lukas became increasingly troubled by the rise of intolerance, discrimination and political division. Having worked in marketing and advertising, he understood how to build a brand. What he began to question was what a brand might actually be built to achieve. Alongside Sebastian, he wanted to create something with a purpose beyond commercial success.

Perfume, perhaps, was an unexpected fork in the road for such an ambition. A workplace opportunity that kind of changed and inspired the course of things for Lucas.That being fragrance, an occupation in any personal space, an intimate place, but very importantly in the human experience. It is an invisible vehicle of personality but unmistakable, yet, involuntarily shared. It can evoke a memory, alter a mood or leave an impression long after its wearer has departed.

The juice of the first Equality fragrance reflects this thinking. Its unisex composition brings together the warmth of cardamom, frankincense and spice with the softer floral character of jasmine and violet. Sandalwood, amber and vanilla provide a deeper, sensual foundation. It moves between traditionally masculine and feminine fragrance associations without feeling obliged to belong to either.

There is something quietly symbolic about this composition. Its individual ingredients retain their character, but together they create something entirely different. Difference is not something to be corrected or concealed; it is precisely what makes the whole thing interesting.

The philosophy extends beyond the bottle. Equality has supported International Justice Mission, an organisation working to combat human trafficking, modern slavery and violence. It is an acknowledgement that the language of human equality must eventually become action.

Perhaps this is what makes Lukas's story particularly interesting. From his home city, he has taken an idea that feels both personal and universal and given it a physical archetype. Equality cannot solve society's problems through perfume alone. But it can start a conversation.

And in a city that has spent generations negotiating what it means to belong, that is perhaps a rather fitting place to begin.

A collection with more stories to tell

Since its beginnings, Equality has grown beyond its original signature scent structure into a collection of fragrances, each with its own personality and sense of intrigue. From Dear Empathy and A Child's Mind to [un]broken, Silent Vow and the newest arrival, Lucid Light, the names alone suggest a house interested in exploring more than just beautiful smells. There is a thoughtful thread running through the collection, with each fragrance offering a different interpretation of identity, emotion and human consciousness.

What is particularly exciting is that the story doesn't feel finished. With new creations continuing to emerge, there is a sense that Lukas is still exploring, experimenting and finding fresh ways to translate his ideas into scent.

Always curious about what Lukas will come up with next and to drop by. There’s something refreshing about hearing the thinking behind his creations, the references, the unexpected ideas and the stories that make it onto the bottle.

That’s what we love about Equality. It’s not just about making perfume; it’s about having a point of view and doing things your own way.

Good to have you around, Lukas. Until next time. x