TRAVEL

Ben Gorham’s Stockholm Tips

The founder of Byredo fragrances opens up his little black book.


Ben Gorham byredo-founder

At well over six feet tall, covered in tattoos, and strikingly handsome, Ben Gorham, the half-Indian, half-Canadian, Swedish-born founder of Byredo fragrances, is not your prototypical perfumer. Gorham trained in fine arts and briefly pursued a career in professional basketball before deciding to follow his, well, nose. Since its launch in 2006 in Stockholm, Byredo has quickly become a favorite niche brand.

Inez and Vinoodh with their Byredo fragrance, 1996

This month, Gorham introdueced 1996—a collaboration with his longtime friends, the photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The trio originally created 1996 as a private edition, which they gave to friends and colleagues as a Christmas gift. The recipients all loved the fragrance so much, however, that Gorham decided to take it public. While Byredo has certainly developed a global fan base, the brand maintains firm Swedish roots. If you happen to be passing through Stockholm, a visit to the Byredo in the heart of the city is a must. Here are some of Gorham’s Stockholm tips.

1. BAUER The only real bespoke tailor left in Scandinavia. Address: Brunnsgatan 4 Web: awbauer.com

2. INGELSTA KALKON Turkey served a thousand ways! Address: Humlegårdsgatan 13 Web: ingelstakalkon.se

3. SNEAKERSNSTUFF One of the best sneaker stores in the world, which happens to be in my neighborhood. Address: Åsögatan 124 Web: sneakersnstuff.com

4. ROSENDALS TRÄDGÅRD (Rosendals garden) Great for lunch, they grow all their own vegetables. Location: Djurgården Web: rosendalstradgard.se

5. MÄSTER ANDERS Classic Swedish style bistro that’s been around since the 1800’s. Location: Pipersgatan 1, Kungsholmen Web: masteranders.se

6. MATBAREN By Mathias Dahlgren at Grand Hotel Stockholm’s best fine dining experience. Location: Grand Hôtel, Södra Blasieholmshamnen 6 Web: mathiasdahlgren.com

7. TENNIS COURT ON SKEPPSHOLMEN Summer tennis and breakfast at Hotel Skeppsholmen, hard to beat. Location: Skeppsholmen island Web: hotelskeppsholmen.se

8. ARTEK STORE Best assortment of Alvar Aalto furniture. Address: Repslagargatan 11 Web: artek.fi

9. KONST-IG Next door to the sneaker shop and great art and architecture books. Address: Åsögatan 124 Web: konstigbooks.com

10. STOCKHOLM CITY LIBRARY Architectural landmark designed by Gunnar Asplund in 1928. Address: Sveavägen 73 Web: biblioteket.stockholm.se

11. HOT DOG STAND Try sausages from all over the world. Ask for the secret sauce. Address: Nybrogatan 57 Web: ostermalmskorvspecialist.se

12. STOCKHOLM CLASSIC TATTOO Best traditional tattoos in Stockholm. Ask for Jenny Address: Södermannagatan 60 Web: stockholmclassic.se

13. OUR LEGACY Menswear for those in the know. Address: Jakobsbergsgatan 11 Web: www.ourlegacy.se

14. JUNIBACKEN Experience the world of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s children stories— great for children as well as grown ups. Location: Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården Web: junibacken.se