Mind Games emerged in 2022 from the seven-year vision of Alex and Mariana Shalbaf. Alex brings extensive perfume industry experience as CEO of The Fragrance Group. Mariana serves as Creative Director, infusing the brand with artistic vision.

The concept merges chess's strategic depth with perfumery artistry. Each fragrance mirrors the significance of a chess move - deliberate, precise, and far-reaching in consequence. Bottles are crafted as chess pieces, transforming any collection into an artistic chessboard.

The brand aims to translate chess's elegance and mastery into olfactory experiences. This creates fragrances with "extreme olfactive signatures" that embody both strategy and sensuality. Mind Games crafts an immersive world where each spray begins a new game.

Sustainability forms a cornerstone of the brand philosophy. Partnership with Symrise ensures 100% traceable ingredients from sustainable farming programs. Every order over $75 plants a tree in Senegal through collaboration with Ecodrive.

The chess metaphor extends beyond aesthetics into fragrance structure. Opening notes represent opening moves, heart notes develop the strategy, and base notes deliver the decisive conclusion. This systematic approach creates coherent yet surprising compositions that captivate from first encounter to final dry-down.

Mind Games launched in 2022 with the Artisan Collection - ten fragrances in white and black bottles representing key chess pieces. Standouts like Blockade surprise with innovative mango-oud combinations, while Grand Master creates a luxurious rose-coffee symphony.

The Soulmate Collection from late 2023 comprises ten "pawn" fragrances symbolizing strength in unity. French Defense captivates with black cherry and cognac elegance, while Queening offers creamy vanilla-rum compositions.

The newest Perfumer Extraordinaire Collection from October 2024 celebrates perfumery artistry. Mentor unites salted caramel with smoky Boya oud, while Prodigy creates velvety rose latte experiences. This collection uniquely provides lab samples of raw materials, offering insights into the creation process.

Collaborations with world-class Symrise perfumers like Annick Menardo, Christelle Laprade, and David Apel ensure exceptional quality. Each fragrance demonstrates impressive longevity and sillage, creating captivating presence throughout the day.

The brand also expanded into home fragrances with artisanal candles, extending the chess-inspired aesthetic into living spaces.

Mind Games positions itself in the premium niche segment with pricing from €270 for 100ml extraits de parfum to €360 for the Perfumer Extraordinaire Collection. This pricing reflects high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients and artistic bottle design.

The target audience includes both fragrance connoisseurs and newcomers who appreciate artistry, strategy, and exclusivity. The unisex fragrances appeal to growing numbers of younger fragrance enthusiasts and male consumers seeking unique olfactory experiences.

Availability spans the brand's website and luxury retailers including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. The exclusive partnership with Neiman Marcus enabled immersive brand experiences and reinforced luxury positioning.

International distribution extends the brand's reach while maintaining exclusivity. The selective retail strategy ensures proper presentation and customer education about the chess-inspired concept.

The value proposition combines innovative fragrance concepts, sustainable sourcing, and artistic presentation. Each bottle serves as a collectible piece embodying the intersection of perfumery and visual art. Limited availability and thoughtful marketing create an aura of exclusivity that attracts discerning collectors.

For those seeking to explore before committing, sample programs allow discovery of the brand's unique approach to luxury perfumery.