Hello, and welcome!

My name is Arina Franzén; I am the founder and nose behind Dark Tales. My journey began with a deep passion for storytelling, fueled by my background in history and psychology. Originally a professional writer-biographer, I often found that words alone couldn’t fully capture the essence of my experiences. Whether it’s the scent of your first kiss or the memory of a trip to France, I wanted to find a way to relive these moments through scent.

With a keen sense of smell and a fascination for fragrances, I transitioned from writing to perfumery, starting as a self-taught perfumer in 2019. This path eventually led me to become certified by the Natural Perfume Academy. Thus, Dark Tales was born—a place where every perfume tells an olfactory story, transporting you to places beyond reality, be it an old library, a medieval abbey, or a deep forest.

Dark Tales is an alternative perfumery, inspired by dark history and gothic novels. Each scent is true to its name—if a perfume is called Old Library, it genuinely evokes the aroma of antique books. I am deeply committed to the art of handcrafted perfumery, ensuring every product is carefully created to tell a unique story.

About our team: At Dark Tales, we are a close-knit team of three. I, Arina Franzén, am the founder, the perfumer, the soul of DT, and the driving force behind the brand's image. Tim Franzén, my co-founder, serves as our financial director and is the key point of contact with our retail partners. Our dear friend, Madeline Waring, joined us in 2022 as our production and orders manager. She carefully oversees the packaging process, ensuring that every order is thoughtfully prepared with personal notes and delightful surprises.

What began as a home-based hobby in Moscow in July 2019 quickly evolved. By October of that year, I had launched an Etsy shop, and by 2020, Dark Tales was officially registered. Our studio then moved to Uppsala, Sweden, where we expanded further and opened a new studio in 2022. In the summer of 2024, we proudly opened our first walk-in boutique at Kungsgatan 66CB in Uppsala, and in 2025, we moved to a larger location with a dedicated lab at Kungsgatan 66DB.

In 2023, I also launched a parallel brand, "Arina Franzén | Botanical Perfumery," offering a line of luxurious fragrances focusing solely on natural ingredients, embodying the essence of old-school traditional perfumery.

At Dark Tales, Tim, Madeline, and I work closely together, dedicating ourselves to perfecting every detail of our creations. We truly value our customers and aim to make you feel like a part of the Dark Tales family. Whether it’s through crafting our fragrances or packaging your orders with care, we put our hearts into everything we do. Our customer service is personal, and we treat every one of you as an old friend, ensuring your experience with us is as unique and special as the perfumes we create.

I hope you enjoy your journey with us!

Yours,
Arina