The Apothecary is a lifestyle shop in Bergen that offers a curated selection of exclusive perfume and skincare. The shop has been welcomed by the locals who appreciate the quality and variety of the products.

The owner of The Apothecary is Birgitte Friele Stang, who has a passion for creating a beautiful and inspiring space that reflects her vision and philosophy.

“The Apothecary is mainly a niche perfumery, with some additional products such as base textiles and shoes that are well-made and timeless. We have chosen our favourite brands of fragrance and wellness products that were not available in Bergen before, and we have created a unique concept around them,” Birgitte says.

The Apothecary is based on the idea that scent is essential for human connection. Birgitte believes that perfume can enhance the mood and personality of the wearer, as well as create memories and impressions.

“Scent is very personal and powerful. It can evoke emotions, memories and associations. It can also express who you are and how you want to be perceived. We want to help our customers find their signature scent, or explore different scents for different occasions,” Birgitte says.

Birgitte has an international background, having studied in France and London for two years. She wanted to bring some of the best products from around the world to her hometown of Bergen. She also wanted to focus on eco-friendly and pure brands that are good for the environment and the skin.

“We have a mix of traditional fragrance houses like Diptyque and Byredo, and innovative skincare brands like Själ and Dr. Barbara Sturm. We also have eco-friendly brands like Tata Harper, RMS and Rahua. We are very selective about the brands we carry, and we prefer quality over quantity. We want to offer products that are durable, timeless and ethical,” Birgitte says.

Design and aesthetics are also very important for Birgitte, who wanted to create a holistic space that connects the store with the furniture, art and products. She wanted to create a visual form that has a common thread throughout.

“I have always had a creative drive and an interest in aesthetics. With The Apothecary, I wanted to create a space that is coherent and harmonious, where everything fits together and creates a mood and an atmosphere,” Birgitte says.

The Apothecary aims to provide a mindful lifestyle where details, quality and durability enrich everyday life. Birgitte wants to make it possible for customers to shop with a clear conscience and enjoy the experience of using the products.

“We value aesthetics as an essential element of what we want to convey with The Apothecary – it’s not about buying expensive clothes or beauty products, but about living attentively and mindfully, where you appreciate the quality and the details of what you use. We also want to support socially responsible brands that care about the environment and the people,” Birgitte says.

The team behind The Apothecary has a lot of curiosity and interest in finding well-made fragrances, skincare and lifestyle products. They travel a lot and get inspired by fashion houses and how they build their brands. They also have a close collaboration with their suppliers on how to present their brands.

“We are always looking for new and exciting brands to introduce to our customers. We travel a lot and get inspired by what we see in other places. We also work closely with our suppliers on how to display their products in our store. We have some new brands coming soon that we are very excited about,” Birgitte says.