The Heritage
The Story of KORRES
KORRES is a Greek fragrance and beauty house born from the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens. Founded in 1996 by pharmacist Georgios Korres, the brand channels 30 years of expertise in botanical formulations into a collection of nature-forward perfumes. Built on the extraordinary diversity of Greek flora, including 1,500 endemic plant species, KORRES creates fragrances rooted in place and purpose.
Heritage
The story begins in the late 1980s, when Georgios Korres, a pharmacist from the island of Naxos, took a position at the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens. Through this work, he developed a deep appreciation for Greek herbs and their medicinal properties. In 1996, word-of-mouth demand for his handmade preparations led to the founding of KORRES as a natural products company. Co-founder Lena Filipou Korres brought her own expertise in applied research and transparent communication about natural percentages. Together, they built a vertically integrated operation, controlling every step from seed selection through extraction and formulation. The company began expanding internationally in the 2000s, opening stores in New York's Nolita neighborhood and Paris's Le Marais district. A partnership with the Agricultural University of Athens enabled systematic mapping of Greece's endemic flora. This scientific grounding supported product innovation, earning KORRES 87 global awards for innovation, entrepreneurship, and design. The brand also established Greece's first fully green and zero-waste extraction unit, reinforcing its environmental commitment. Today, KORRES products reach consumers in 50 countries, while maintaining partnerships with local farmers across the Greek countryside.
Craftsmanship
KORRES perfumes draw from a network of Greek farmers and artisans who cultivate endemic botanicals across mountains, islands, and volcanic terrain. Ingredients include saffron from the Kozani cooperative, wild rose from the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, thyme from Naxos, and Santorini grapes harvested from volcanic soil. The brand's Greek Flora Map documents these partnerships, tracing each ingredient to a specific location and producer. Extraction takes place in KORRES's own facilities, including Greece's first fully green and zero-waste extraction unit. The company isolates active ingredients through primary research, working alongside leading scientific institutions to verify efficacy and purity. In-house R&D teams handle formulation, ensuring consistency and quality across every production batch. The perfumery approach favors botanical complexity over synthetic shortcuts. Each fragrance composition reflects the natural characteristics of its ingredients, often layering botanical extracts with complementary aromatic profiles. This method requires more time and expertise but produces scents with depth and authenticity.
Design Language
KORRES visual identity reflects its Greek heritage and pharmacy origins. Packaging draws on clean, minimal design with typography that recalls handwritten formulations. Bottles often feature simple geometric shapes and muted color palettes that evoke natural ingredients rather than luxury excess. The brand's retail spaces reinforce this aesthetic, with store designs that blend apothecary heritage and contemporary minimalism. Display elements reference botanical illustration and scientific documentation, connecting the products to their herbalist foundations. The overall effect is refined but approachable, scientific yet warm. Fragrance naming follows a similar logic, using ingredient combinations or Greek terms that describe the scent's character rather than evoking abstract luxury. Names like Vetiver Root Green Tea Cedarwood and Midnight Dahlia communicate directly with consumers who value transparency about what they are wearing.
Philosophy
KORRES approaches fragrance as an extension of its core ethos: simplicity, purity, and connection to nature. The brand rejects synthetic ingredients, instead building fragrances around botanical sources that reflect the landscapes of Greece. Each perfume tells a story about place, drawing on ingredients like Santorini grapes, Kozani saffron, and Olympus mountain tea. The founders view responsibility as non-negotiable. KORRES takes ownership of its entire supply chain, from working with organic farmers to conducting in-house extraction and formulation. Every formula undergoes 500 safety and efficacy tests before release, a standard that reflects the precision of its pharmacy origins. This meticulous approach extends to transparency. Lena Korres championed clear communication about natural percentages in products, building consumer trust through honesty rather than marketing language. The result is a brand that feels both scientific and soulful, grounded in rigorous research yet inspired by ancient traditions and wild landscapes.
Key Milestones
1980s
Georgios Korres begins working at the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, developing expertise in Greek herbs and natural formulations.
1996
KORRES is founded in Athens as demand grows for Georgios's handmade preparations.
2000s
The company expands internationally, opening flagship stores in New York and Paris.
2000s
Partnership with the Agricultural University of Athens enables systematic mapping of Greek endemic flora.
2010s
KORRES establishes Greece's first fully green and zero-waste botanical extraction unit.
2020s
The brand reaches 50 countries and launches new fragrance collections including KYMA, Philosia, and Lefko.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
Greece
Founded
1996
Heritage
30
Years active
Collection
3
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.1
Community sentiment
Release Rhythm