About Us
Harlem Candle Company is an elevated home fragrance collection inspired by the Harlem Renaissance.
Founded in 2014 by Teri Johnson, the brand was born from a passion for scent, storytelling, and the cultural artistry of Harlem. Each thoughtfully-designed candle is crafted to evoke a specific moment, mood, or muse - from the jazz lounges of Lenox Avenue to the captivating songwriting of Billie Holiday. With every flicker and vessel, we honor the legacy of the Golden Era, transforming its iconic past into sensory experiences for today.
Harlem Candle Company has cultivated timeless creations in partnership with The White House, The MET Museum, The Wiz, and Gypsy. The collection’s beloved Purple Love candle was featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023.
Teri Johnson
Teri has been in enamored with fragrance for as long as she can remember. As a child growing up in Texas, she has vivid memories of exploring her favorite aunt’s collection of exotic perfumes and feeling as if an entire universe had opened up for her. She knew early on, as she happily spritzed and inhaled the intoxicating aromas, that she processed everything through her senses and scent was a language for her to express herself.
The Travelista
Teri’s love of history and her enthusiastic curiosity about other cultures took her all over the world through her work as a travel and lifestyle expert for outlets including the Travel Channel, Huffington Post and her self-produced travel show, Travelista Teri.
She has travelled to nearly 70 countries, and these became multi-sensory journeys for her as she reveled in the smells, tastes, sights and sounds of each new landscape. It was through these experiences that she began to truly understand the dynamic power of scent, and importantly, sensory memory, and its ability to miraculously transport you through time and place.
Inspired by Harlem
Settling in New York City, Teri was magnetically drawn to the neighborhood of Harlem, which has such a rich and vibrant past. Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the figures in music and the arts who helped to shape it (like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, pictured here) she knew that she wanted to celebrate them and tell their stories through scent with her brand.
The First Candles
With a burst of creativity, combined with her love of fragrance and jazz, Teri started making candles in her kitchen in 2014. From those humble beginnings, Harlem Candle Company has blossomed into a creative endeavor that collaborates with award-winning perfumers to design exquisitely scented candles and home fragrance products.
Storytelling Through Scent
Like music, the top, middle, and base notes in each candle tell a story while taking you on an olfactory journey through time and place. Drawing on inspiration from Harlem Renaissance icons, the candles instantly enhance your space while creating a sense of comfort and luxury.