ELOREA is a portmanteau of ‘Elements’ and ‘Korea’. We are inspired by Korea's rich history of fragrance and lifestyle. Our mission is to capture, preserve, and share the stories of our heritage.
Hyang Soo
The Korean word for both perfume and the tender longing for home is Hyang Soo, 향수. It's incredibly poetic because out of all our senses, scent is the most powerful; it can evoke transportive memories and awaken deep emotions.
We all have Hyang Soo towards a special place in our hearts, and Korea is that place for us. This word inspired us to create a fragrance brand in order to be closer to our heritage. Our mission is to create wonderfully balanced, exceptional products that will create lasting impressions and experiences.
Lineage of Scent
The first record of scent being used in Korea dates back to the 5th century on a mural of a woman carrying an incense burner on her head during a religious practice. It is believed that since then, the use of fragrance became more widely accepted as part of daily life.
Korean ancestors believed that great scent can cast away bad energy, protect the body and clear the mind. Scent became a form of personal expression, much like how it’s used today. There is historical evidence of Korean people using plants to make powder, paste and oil to create personal care items such as fragrance satchels, incense, fabric spray and bath oils.
(image: 쌍영총 벽화 / Ssang Yeong Chong Tomb mural)
“A righteous one’s room is filled with beautiful scents, whereas a fool’s room is left with stale odor”
a quote from Choi Han-gi's book of “tools and instruments” 1803-1877
Community
ELOREA is dedicated to the unique Korean concept of Jeong (정), the pursuit of collective social responsibility within all of us. Our team, culture, and communities are at the heart of everything we do.
Organizations we support:
The Korean American Association of Greater New York
Korean American Story
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
Korean American Community Foundation
Change
The history of scent in Korea goes back thousands of years, yet it is underrepresented in the global market. We want to offer an alternative to the euro-centric idea of fragrance and present the deep and rich culture of our ancestors in modernized interpretations.
Core Belief
The core of our brand is all about balance. The balance of traditional and modern; classic and unconventional; sustainability and luxury. We believe in sourcing the highest quality materials and producing in small batches with exceptional care.