“My studio is very Bernese” – slowing down at HeyKLARA fragrance studio

Bern has a lively, aromatic smell. When I wander through the old town’s alleyways, I notice the earthy, mineral scent of the sandstone walls – a grounding and almost timeless fragrance.
Then there’s a floral note, delicate and inviting, reminiscent of the roses in the Rose Garden. It brings to mind ancient Rome, where welcoming guests with a rose-infused footbath was a sign of hospitality. In the Rose Garden, you can smell the roses while gazing at Bern’s historic rooftops, taking in the past and present all at once. In these moments, I enjoy the city with all my senses.
And then there's the green freshness – the crisp, aquatic essence of nature flowing through the city. The River Aare carries this clear, vibrant note that makes Bern so unique.

Perfume fascinates me on multiple levels. It’s sensual and emotional. A scent can evoke memories, set moods and create atmospheres. Fragrances are deeply woven into our experiences and accompany us through life, often without realising it.

Smelling forces us to slow down. You can't smell en passant. You can't rush it; it requires attention and presence. When you pause to inhale, the world quiets and you simply perceive. There’s also something fascinating about training your sense of smell, learning to distinguish nuances, and uncovering new layers in a scent.

My shop is very Bernese – unhurried, mindful, and full of quiet character. This city isn’t loud, yet it leaves an impression with its tranquillity and beauty.
Many workshop participants come from cities like Zurich, Winterthur and Lucerne. Their experience often begins before they even enter the shop – strolling through the old town, over cobblestones streets, past sandstone façades. The moment they arrive they’ve already begun to slow down. It's the Bern effect.

I named my studio after my grandmother, Klara.

Olfactory memories are powerful, and I often have really heartfelt conversations about them in my workshops. People often recall childhood scents. If someone struggles to remember, I usually ask: What did your grandmother’s house smell like? That usually unlocks memories. I also remember smells from my grandparents’ house. My grandmother and I are quite similar. She was energetic and adventurous, much like me. But “Klara” on its own felt too simple, so I looked for the right complement. I landed on “Hey” because of the song “Hey Fredy” by Stop The Shoppers.

I’d already started my own business before – a communications agency. That really gave me the confidence to take the leap again. I knew what I had to do and what I was getting into. I also got my publican's licence years ago because running my own restaurant was a dream of mine. I've always loved hospitality. Welcoming people, creating connections, sharing moments – it all means a lot to me.

Traditional hospitality is a tough industry, but with my studio, I've found a beautiful balance. It’s a quieter kind of hosting, but just as heartfelt.

I've become a part of the Rathausgasse. It’s a bit like moving into a new neighbourhood: You meet your neighbours and start chatting. I never expected that with a shop, but people stop by to say hello, wave as they pass by, or show curiosity about what I do. The connection with the neighbouring shops is also easy and uncomplicated.

The open sale of perfume is a unique offer. Customers can smell different fragrances from uniform glass bottles and let their nose guide them instead of brands and packaging. They can then have their favourite perfume bottled on the spot. Then there are the workshops – again, only a few offer these. These often lead to special moments of scent and personal conversations about memories and perception.

A funny side effect: My landlady lives above the studio. She always knows when I’m hosting a workshop because the scents drift up to her apartment and blend into new creations in her rooms.

The appeal lies in the creation of a perfume that exists nowhere else in the world, one that's uniquely theirs. At the same time, it’s a shared experience. I often see couples, mothers and daughters or sons, sisters or friends attending together. And everyone is always proud of what they’ve created. Watching their eyes light up when they hold their custom fragrance is priceless.

I also keep the workshops small – no more than four people per session. Many participants come alone or in pairs, enjoying the calm, intimate setting. And I’ve noticed more and more young men becoming interested, which is exciting.

One moment stands out: A couple attended a workshop together, both fully immersed in the process. Afterwards, over canapés, they presented their perfumes to each other.

The woman smelled the fragrance strip and commented on how it represented her. “This perfume is just like me: versatile. Lively and fresh, just like when we first met. But also deep, revealing layers when you take the time to know it.” It was as if she had distilled herself into this tiny bottle and it made her extremely happy. It was an incredibly emotional moment. It gave me goosebumps and touched me deeply.

I’d like to see a little more foot traffic. You can’t conjure up walk-ins, but I hope that more people will find their way to my studio, take a moment to slow down, and immerse themselves in the world of fragrance.
With spring arriving, I can already sense a shift – people are more curious about their sense of smell, and are drawn to fresher, lighter scents. The seasons influence preferences: In winter, warm, enveloping notes like sandalwood are favourites. Something to warm you up. Now, citrusy, floral and fruity tones take centre stage – fragrances that are colourful and vibrant.

But ultimately, what I cherish the most are the wonderful encounters with my customers.