Our Philosophy
The Name and its Symbolism
The clepsydra (water clock) is perhaps one of the most poetic instruments ever created to measure time. Long before it took its familiar form with sand, its earliest version worked with water, a hydraulic clock, consisting of a vessel that emptied steadily, drop by drop, offering time a serene, almost ritual rhythm.
The ancient Greeks called this instrument klepsydra, from the verb kleptein (“to steal”) and the noun hydor (“water”). The word literally described the “theft” of water and with it, the imperceptible, almost secret, passing of time.
One of the oldest surviving Greek clepsydras, dating back to the 5th century BC, is found in the sacred archaeological site of Amphiareion, near Oropos. Descending along the banks of a once-flowing river, the marble clepsydra still stands beside a temple, where ancient Greeks gathered for rituals and cultural ceremonies.
“The only true luxury is time.”
Elissavet Kouzouli, perfumer and founder of KLEPSIDRA PARFUMS, visited Amphiareion one spring. The simplicity of the natural setting, the mystical aura of the place as well as the almost tangible presence of time moved her profoundly. It was there she first encountered the ancient water clock. The name KLEPSIDRA was not born at that very moment, yet it was as if the moment itself whispered it to her. It was like water starting to flow silently and purposefully into the interior of her own personal “clepsydra.” The name KLEPSIDRA was not decided simply because it symbolizes the passage or the measurement of time. It was chosen to highlight its deeper meaning and to express an entire philosophy: that every moment, every feeling can, through fragrance and memory, endure and last.
At KLEPSIDRA PARFUMS, we defy the flow of time and create fragrances that touch the present, awaken the past and accompany the future.
The World of KLEPSIDA PARFUMS
A world born from nature, expressed through the art of perfumery and destined to rest upon the skin. Each fragrance draws inspiration from its surroundings like nature, the natural elements, the earth, the sky, light and of course Greek tradition, all transformed into multi-layered notes of top, heart and base. When these notes touch the skin, the perfume transforms, becoming something distinct for each person. It has become a world of personal expression, authenticity and originality. Yet it does not end there, it evolves into an olfactory experience that leaves space for interpretation and personal storytelling.
Our Promise
KLEPSIDRA PARFUMS is a Greek niche fragrance house born from a personal vision: to create fragrances with depth, longevity and emotional resonance. With profound knowledge of perfumery, love for nature, and, above all, soul, we craft authentic niche perfumes with a distinctive identity. We do not follow trends. We speak to those who wish to stand out spontaneously and effortlessly. We create fragrances that embrace diversity, translate into personal expression and create memories.
In our perfumery atelier, we carefully select raw materials of exceptional quality and develop compositions with scientific precision and passion. We create fragrances that achieve a high degree of natural content. Not to impress with intensity, but to move with lasting power. For us, true luxury is what lasts in time!
Every perfume carries a Greek identity imprinted in its name, accompanied by a phrase that conveys its emotional aura. A picture, a sensation, a personal story that speaks to the soul.
At KLEPSIDRA PARFUMS, we believe that fragrance is an act of inner connection, a way of expressing who you are without words. It is about moments where memories are either created or revived and senses that are never forgotten.