FRAY ARDENS

Fray Ardens is the work of Marfa, TX based perfumer Ash Compton. Informed by a background in architecture/design, film and ongoing work as a Jungian psychotherapist, the line offers a carefully considered, cartoonish and archetypally-inspired high desert approach to niche perfume. Each fragrance from Fray Ardens is situated in either Mythopoesis (or ‘As Above’, the signature line) or So Below (the shadow side line).

“I see perfume as a way to artfully enhance, concretize, or shape-shift one’s identity and essence,” Compton told Matt Morris for Fragrantica. “Like a sculptural soul stamp. It’s also a way to call out, play with or mask parts of self within the confines of a day or even just an evening. So to me it’s as important as the clothes you choose to wear, part of a daily outfit. It can draw down, enhance, dim out, shed light on parts of self, what an honor to be worn—an essence that plays with personal body chemistry, pheromone, spirit.”

Fray Ardens fragrances come adorned with a handmade wooden cap by Marfa based artist Camp Bosworth.