Entry No. 41 — the Kansas City file — filed under: perfume-making
For Strange Women
Tucked in the historic Bauer building, this independent botanical perfume house handcrafts small-batch, all-natural fragrances.
The story
Tucked inside Suite 107 of the historic Bauer building in the Crossroads, For Strange Women smells nothing like a commercial department store—and that is entirely the point. Founded in 2009 and operated by an all-female team of indie perfumers, this studio bypasses synthetic aldehydes and petroleum-based carriers in favor of 100% plant-derived aromatics gathered globally.
The formulas here are built around resinous woods, crushed spices, dark soils, and mossy florals. Because botanical perfumes rely on raw oils and plant essences rather than synthetic fixatives, they react directly with your personal skin chemistry, wearing close to the skin and quietly evolving over hours rather than throwing off a cloud of chemical top notes.
What it's like
Stepping into the space feels like entering a shadowy, quiet apothecary stocked with dark amber glass dropper bottles, solid perfume compacts, and raw botanicals. Browsing the standard lineup is straightforward, but the real draw is booking a private Collaborative Custom Perfume session ahead of time. During the appointment, you sit down with their master palette of raw woods, floral concretes, and spice essences to compose a custom botanical formula that gets mixed and bottled on the spot. Keep in mind the studio keeps limited storefront hours—currently Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The move: Book a private 'Collaborative Custom Perfume' session to sniff your way through a curated palette of wood, spice, and floral essences, co-creating a signature botanical fragrance bottled just for you.
- 📍 Crossroads Arts District
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 115 W. 18th St. #107, Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Oracle Natural Science — Pair your custom botanical fragrance with a visit to this neighboring cabinet of curiosities packed with ethically sourced taxidermy and pinned insects.
- KC Conjure & Botanica — Continue your aromatic and sensory circuit four blocks over with custom-dressed ritual candles and traditional spiritual goods.
- Stray Cat Film Center — Follow up a afternoon of scent-blending with an evening screening of obscure or avant-garde cinema just down the street.
Good to know
Where in the Crossroads is the studio located?
You'll find them inside the historic Bauer building at 115 W. 18th Street, Suite 107.
Are the fragrances completely natural?
Yes. Every perfume is hand-blended in small batches using 100% plant-derived oils, resins, and botanical extracts, without synthetic fragrance oils or harsh additives.
What are the retail storefront hours?
The physical shop is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Confirm hours before visiting, as private custom blending sessions or studio work can shift public access.
How does the custom perfume session work?
You book a private appointment to systematically smell your way through their botanical palette, select your favorite base, mid, and top notes, and collaborate with a perfumer to bottle a custom scent made specifically for you.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · etsy.com
last checked: 2026-07-21