Since 1998, Showroom Romeo has been a Parisian fashion institution located in the heart of the Marais. Founded by Roméo Oh, this showroom stands out for its multidisciplinary approach and support for emerging fashion designers and established brands. It now connects fashion and fragrance through the house of Ohtop Paris.
Showroom Romeo: Pioneering Vision of Fashion
Roméo Oh, of Korean origin, created Showroom Romeo to provide a platform for young, independent, and avant-garde designers. Initially dedicated to European and Asian creators, the showroom has evolved to represent a diverse international roster, including talents from Belgium, France, Italy, Scandinavia, and more. “Twenty-five years ago, I created Showroom Romeo to cater to young designers who wanted to be very independent, very niche, very cutting-edge,” Roméo explained to ICON-ICON in an interview.
In 2021, Showroom Romeo expanded its horizons by launching a line of cosmetics, followed shortly by a range of perfumes under the house of Ohtop Paris. For him, creating perfumes is a natural extension of his work in fashion, aiming to offer an “olfactory wardrobe.”
Inspired by iconic figures such as Gabrielle Chanel and Christian Dior, Roméo partnered with renowned perfumers like Alexis Dadier, Amélie Bourgeois, and Anne-Sophie Berguel to bring his olfactory visions to life under the Ohtop Paris brand.
The creation of Ohtop Paris perfumes is based on Roméo’s memories, travels, and personal emotions. The process begins with thorough research and discussions with perfumers, followed by multiple iterations to perfect each fragrance. Roméo describes perfume as a “fantasy,” a sensory expression of his memories and inspirations. “For me, perfume is very much a fantasy. It’s what you sell… my personal taste, or my imagined vision,” he explained to ICON-ICON.
Each perfume created by Ohtop is thus linked to a specific fashion piece, merging the two disciplines. For example, the fragrance “Aire de Rose” is associated with a meticulously designed dress by a Chinese stylist, reflecting a unique interpretation of the rose. “I thought, here, it expresses itself with a dress; it’s the rose, but it’s really a very tiny, meticulous work, one by one, a black rose.”
Similarly, the scent “Grey Flannel” pays homage to an American perfume from the 80s, linked to a 30-year-old personal jacket of Roméo…
By integrating fashion and perfumery through the house of Ohtop Paris, Showroom Romeo continues to push the boundaries of innovation, offering a unique platform where creativity and strategy converge. “We try to create between two connotations, perfume and fashion,” concludes Roméo!