Blogs

Testament Collection Manifesto

    For most of my life, I’ve worked to bring value within the markets I operated in. For over 15 years in the premium retail sector, I’ve learned more than any course or strategy could ever teach. I've learned about markets, yes—but most importantly, I’ve learned about people. About what moves them. About what they fear, crave, and hope for. 

 

    With that in mind and with an open heart, I started working on Testament Collection. I made a bold statement from day one: my mission is—and remains—to create a collection of fragrances that makes people consciously aware of all dimensions of smell. 

 

     In a world oversaturated with look-alike fragrances and recycled marketing stories—some so bold in their imitation they barely attempt to hide it—I had no interest in being another echo. I wanted to create something that defies expectations. That makes people pause. That makes them reflect on their dreams, their travels, their emotions—and most importantly, that makes them feel good within their own state of mind.

 

Timelessness. That’s what Testament Collection stands for.

     I started with nothing but a dream. Far from home, far from my family, from my kids, in a place where everything was new and uncertain. And yet, a profound journey was about to unfold. A journey that would bring my biggest creative challenges, but also the deepest personal growth.

   

    The creative energy can come and go. But no one tells you how hard it is to get your creation into the hands of people. To reach real customers. I thought I had that covered—after all, I had over a decade of experience. How wrong I was.

    In a hype-driven, trend-obsessed, algorithm-ruled market, reaching people with something as nuanced and emotional as perfumery feels almost impossible. Especially for someone like me—an introvert.

     So I left my comfort zone. From 2018 until 2020, I did what very few founders do. I went out there. I packed my testers, my samples, a few catalogues, and my set of roll-up banners into an art tube—those large plastic cylinders painters carry their canvas in—and traveled. From the UK to Japan and the Middle East. Every trade show, every niche event, I was there. I set up the booth myself. I stood on my feet for days. I closed it down at night. And even though I lost nearly 10kg from the non-stop hustle, I gained something far more important: I saw people reacting to the name, to the story, to the juice.

    And then came 2020. The pandemic hit. The world came to a full stop.

 

    For almost two years, I had to sit still—something I hadn’t done in over a decade. But instead of despairing, I took that time to reflect. I focused on my craft. I refined everything: the packaging, the ingredients, the overall experience. But I didn’t compromise. Ever.

    Following the same Testament DNA—quiet luxury, simplicity, and superior quality—I worked behind the scenes to optimize and elevate every detail. I decided to tell our story more openly, more intentionally. But I did it my way: through scent, words, and imagery. Not through daily videos or shouting on social media. Because Testament is born from poetry, cultural diversity, and love. And I will always respect that in the way I communicate.

    By 2025, seven years into the journey, we reached a level of consistency that we’re proud of—98% positive feedback from clients and the community. That’s a huge milestone.

But the most difficult part still lies ahead: breaking the misconceptions around what niche perfumery really is.

 

"Why are your perfumes so expensive?"

Let’s talk about it—openly and honestly.

   

    The truth is, most customers have no real understanding of what goes into making a fine fragrance. The formulas, the sourcing, the minimum order quantities, the bottling, the delays, the regulations. And then there’s the cost of reaching the client—what we call customer acquisition cost.

    We operate in an industry where three groups—Estée Lauder, LVMH, and L'Oréal—own over 70% of the global cosmetics and fragrance market. So every time you buy from them, you're adding to their empire. Which is fine. But let’s be honest—you’re not funding art. You’re funding marketing machines, boardrooms, and acquisition deals.

   

     When you buy from an independent house like Testament London, you’re supporting people who wake up at 5 AM to answer warehouse calls, who wait six months to get a batch through production, and who stay up all night trying to fix a supply chain issue while writing poetic copy at 3 AM. That’s what you’re paying for.

Let’s break it down:

• Cost of goods (formula, bottle, cap, box, labor): 10% to 35% of the retail price.

• Operational costs (storage, logistics, DGG-compliant shipping, EU hazard certifications, customs, insurance): another 10% to 20%.

• Customer acquisition cost: for small brands, it ranges from 50% to 500% of the product's price. Yes, we pay more to reach you than what we make on the first sale.

    And guess what? We’re still here. Still independent. Still telling stories. Still pushing forward.

A lot of brands sell out. And that’s their choice. But let’s stop pretending most of these so-called “heritage” brands are still family-run. They're not. Many are owned piece by piece by large groups. The poetic taglines like “From Father to Son” are often just marketing fiction.

    That’s fine. But don’t question the integrity of the ones who are still here, fighting the hard fight. Who still believe in artistry over algorithms. Who launch small batches of 500 bottles and call it a collection.

So next time you buy a fragrance from an independent house, remember this: you’re not just buying a perfume. You’re investing in:

• Their research and development

• Their production waiting lines

• Their limited editions by necessity, not by trend

• Their ability to keep going, one product at a time

    And for most of us, the goal isn’t to remain small. Of course, we want to grow, build wealth, and reach the world. But for independent creators, the first 10 years are a test of endurance. Most never make it past the dream.

    That’s why I wrote this. To speak the truth nobody else wants to say. To shed light for the community that truly cares about fragrance.

     If you're reading this and you’ve ever bought, shared, or simply felt something from one of our perfumes—thank you. We exist because of you.

This is my story.
This is our fight.
This is Testament.

Bogdan Vlad,

The Founder