Criminal Elements
Small-batch Australian perfumery with an unlikely origin.
Criminal Elements is an Australian artisan perfume house founded in 2014 by Corey Newcombe, a self-taught perfumer based in Melbourne. The name nods to the chemical building blocks of scent rather than any lawbreaking aesthetic — Newcombe has spoken about his background in science as an influence on his approach to composition, which leans toward precision blending and unusual material combinations. The house collaborates with Aelfrik Spektor on select projects, adding a second creative voice to the otherwise solo operation. Criminal Elements produces a modest catalogue of original fragrances sold directly and through a handful of Australian niche stockists, with compositions spanning woody musks, resins, and some more challenging abstract accords. Packaging is deliberately minimal, in keeping with the brand's matter-of-fact identity. The house occupies a respected position within Australia's growing independent perfumery scene, with Newcombe maintaining an active presence in online fragrance communities, which has helped build an international audience beyond the domestic market.
Releases
DNA over time
Each column is an era. Each colored band shows that family’s share of accord weight across every perfume the house released in that window. Bigger band = the house leaned harder on that family.
