A Year in Review: What We’re Most Proud of in 2024
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Time to read: 4 min
In 2024, we were delighted to bring you new candles, fragrances, journals, tote bags, and more. We embarked on new adventures through partnerships, podcasts, and photoshoots, and marked a significant milestone with the introduction of Harlem Brands, which brought the Harlem Candle Co., Harlem Perfume Co., and Harlem Design Co. under one umbrella. None of this would have been possible without you, our valued customers. Here's to 2025, as we continue to create, inspire, and celebrate the vibrant legacy of Harlem together.
1. Journals (Harlem Design Co.)
January 2024
After nearly a year of thoughtful design and development, the Harlem Design Co. made its debut with a stunning collection of journals. Featuring soft vegan leather covers, gilded edges, and original illustrations inspired by Harlem’s cultural brilliance, these timeless journals are more than a canvas for your thoughts—they’re a tribute to artistry, culture, and the enduring spirit of Harlem. What better way to embark on 2025 than by writing down your dreams and goals in a piece of history reimagined?
2. Fat Mascara Podcast
February 2024
In February, founder Teri was invited as a guest on the Fat Mascara podcast. We were excited to share the story of Harlem Candle Co and the inspirations behind our signature scents. From the elegance of Billie Holiday to the creative brilliance of Langston Hughes, Teri explained how we pay homage to the legends of the Harlem Renaissance in our candles.
3. Harlem Perfume Co.'s First Photoshoot
February 2024
Our first photoshoot for Harlem Perfume Co. was an unforgettable experience, Through an open casting call, we discovered an extraordinary group of individuals who embodied the grace and charisma of “Harlem Renaissance meets Old Hollywood Glam” The shoot beautifully captured the essence of Harlem Perfume Co., where every fragrance is a tribute to timeless style and creative brilliance.
4. “Duke” Eau de Parfum
March 2024
In March, we proudly launched “Duke” Eau de Parfum. This olfactory masterpiece by two award winning perfumers, Hamid Merati-Kashani and Ilias Ermenidi, features notes of pink pepper, tobacco, and bourbon honey, evoking the ambiance of a sophisticated jazz club. With its sleek packaging and irresistible scent, “Duke” captures the rhythm, style, and innovation of one of Harlem’s greatest legends.
5. “Nina” Candle
April 2024
The “Nina” Luxury Candle pays homage to Nina Simone, the High Priestess of Soul, whose music captivated the world with its depth and emotion. This exquisite candle combines delicate floral notes of jasmine and tiare flower with warm undertones of sandalwood and vanilla bean.
6. “The Wiz” Candle
April 2024
In celebration of the return of The Wiz to Broadway, we launched “The Wiz” Luxury Candle. This candle captures the show’s jubilant energy in an olfactory journey inspired by Dorothy’s unforgettable journey to Oz. Its bold fragrance opens with bright bergamot and white pepper, melts into spicy Sichuan pepper and coriander, and finishes with the warmth of sandalwood and tonka bean. Crafted in partnership with the Broadway production, it's both a tribute and a collector’s item for fans of this enduring masterpiece.
7. “Duke” Ceramic Candle
April 2024
The “Duke” Ceramic Candle both replaced and reimagined our beloved “Ellington” fragrance. The exquisite ceramic vessel is adorned with hand-drawn illustrations of Harlem Renaissance icons, bringing the spirit of Harlem’s vibrant past into your space. Its bold new scent, featuring notes of pink pepper, Balkan tobacco, and bourbon honey, pays homage to Duke Ellington’s creativity and elegance.
8. “Perfume Extraordinaire” Nomination
June 2024
Our “Josephine” Eau de Parfum was named a finalist for the prestigious Perfume Extraordinaire award at the 2024 Fragrance Foundation Awards. This recognition celebrates outstanding fragrance artistry, highlighting “Josephine” for its impeccable blend of aesthetic beauty and staying power. We are deeply proud of this free-spirited scent, inspired by the iconic Josephine Baker, which has captivated fragrance enthusiasts, industry experts, and most importantly, our customers!
9. Tote Bags
June 2024
With summer here, we introduced our first tote bag by the Harlem Design Co. The beautiful design features original illustrations of Josephine Baker in her iconic banana skirt and her pet cheetah, Chiquita. Made from a durable cotton canvas, this bag is sturdy and large enough for a 17 inch laptop, books and tablets, a large beach towel, and any other necessities for a perfect day.
10. "Langston" Ceramic Candle
June 2024
In June, we launched the limited-edition “Langston” Ceramic Candle. This candle is a bold homage to Langston Hughes. Its colorful ceramic vessel, adorned with the iconic “Night Club Map of Harlem” by E. Simms Campbell, sets the stage for a fragrance inspired by Hughes’ life.
11. Harlem Brands
September 2024
In September, we introduced Harlem Brands as an umbrella company encompassing the Harlem Candle Co., Harlem Perfume Co., and Harlem Design Co. We redesigned the layout of our website into different sections to make it easy for customers to find and shop products from each brand.
12. "Deux Amours" Ceramic Candle
September 2024
The “Deux Amours” Ceramic Candle is inspired by Josephine Baker’s love for both Paris and the United States. Crafted in collaboration with master perfumer Honorine Blanc, this luxurious fragrance blends notes of rose centifolia, cinnamon bark, and tonka bean. The candle is housed in a white-and-gold ceramic vessel with illustrations of Baker dancing and sheet music from her iconic song, making it a beautiful tribute to one of Harlem’s most iconic figures.
13. Josephine Baker Portrait Unveiling
October 2024
In October, founder Teri traveled to Paris as a guest for the unveiling of a Josephine Baker portrait at the U.S. Embassy.The portrait, which was painted by artist Jas Knight and commissioned by Long Gallery Harlem, was a stunning celebration of Josephine Baker’s extraordinary life. At this prestigious event, Teri presented our Josephine Baker-inspired products to distinguished guests and even had the honor of meeting two of Baker’s children, creating an unforgettable connection to history!
14. Oprah’s Favorite Things Magazine
November 2024
Teri was interviewed in Oprah's Favorite Things Magazine: "My immediate reaction was a mix of excitement and gratitude. I grew up watching The Oprah Winfrey Show after school and I have admired her for decades. And when I started my candle business, my dream was to become one of Oprah's Favorite Things. This is validation of the hard work and passion that I've poured into creating my brand, and I am excited and motivated to create even more 'favorite things.'" - Teri Johnson
