The Story Behind Dasein 

Hey, I'm Emily, the founder of Dasein. A word that found me during lockdown inspired the brand. In German philosophy, Dasein is the concept of 'being present', something we were doing more of during the pandemic. An idea stuck—from my days in for your days in. What started with gifting candles to loved ones evolved into a collection of handmade homeware, crafted to bring joy to your 'days in'.

My journey into fragrance began unexpectedly one Christmas, at a gifted perfume workshop. Surrounded by vials of perfume oils and the guidance of a skilled perfumer, I found a real appreciation for the art of blending aromas. Playing with combinations of notes, I saw the power of scents to call up emotions and felt inspired to create with a new toy.

I have always loved making things, from my childhood plasticine craze to making my own clothes as a teen. So when lockdown arrived I saw it as an opportunity to experiment with some ideas. I returned home and found joy in life's quieter moments, free from social pressures. Quietly grateful for a much-needed reset from London life and a new perspective on a slower way of living, it offered me the space to delve back into my creative pursuits. 

Dasein started as a excuse to get my hands crafting again, then it began taking shape into something more. The term Dasein felt serendipitous, it seemed to capture where I was in my life and provide an exciting onwards vision.

I got stuck into shaping the brand's aesthetics, proud to do this all myself. Having dabbled in branding in my 9-5, it was really rewarding (and daunting) to build something of my own from scratch. But having confidence in my decisions and direction is something I'm still working on.

The products were developed, labels printed, photoshoot directed and website developed. So I launched our range of natural wax candles and home mists in ten scents. I wanted these to be pleasurable but unique, herbaceous tomato, silky honey, soft iris and indulgent sandalwood. All our products are made in my parents' kitchen/garage—while not glamorous, it's a space where I thrive without the pressures of city life. 

Beyond fragrances, I love to sew and create textiles, such as our patchwork linen cushions—a labour of love but totally worth it.

I'm proud that Dasein is available in a number stockists around the country from Glasgow to Rye. This year, I'm excited to get onto more shop shelves, collaborate with other brands and host more events to get people together.

When not mixing nice smelly things in my garage, you'll likely find me learning a new activity like climbing or surfing. Moving my body keeps me balanced and inspired.

If you've got this far, thank you for reading. I'm excited for what the future holds, stay tuned for more updates and stories from behind the scenes at Dasein.

With love, Emily