Manzanita Capital, owner of Diptyque, Malin + Goetz, and Space NK, have acquired Brooklyn-based perfume house, D.S. & Durga.
D.S. & Durga was founded by David Seth Moltz and Kavi Moltz in 2008, and became known for scents such as Bowmakers, Cowboy Grass, and Amber Kiso.
Co-founder Kavi Moltz told WWD, “They [Manzanita] respect David and I as creatives and want us to do what we do best, which is drive the brand creatively. That’s what we’re going to be able to do now that we’ll be able to hire more people. We’re still a small brand and spread quite thin. “David doesn’t just make perfume, and I’m not just doing the packaging, branding and design. Hopefully, we will be able to just do more of what we’re good at.”
David and Kavi Moltz will remain in their existing roles as chief creatives of the brand. Their original investors, Monogram Capital Partners joined in partnership in 2018 and helped the brand build out its team, four retail stores, e-comm footprint and global distribution. Together, they have brought on Manzanita to further accelerate growth. D.S. & DURGA will use the capital and experience with building like minded brands to expand its retail footprint with additional brick and mortar DSD locations, further its international reach, hire top talent, and continue to innovate and grow its product offerings, among other initiatives.
David Seth Moltz adds, “Kavi and I and our OG partner Monogram Capital are excited to join forces with Manzanita. We’re hoping that their expertise and our fire will create a volcanic explosion of aroma from East to West to Mars and beyond.”
D.S. & Durga’s latest launch is Peanut, about which David Moltz says, “America’s favorite nut (I know – legume), peanut is rarely used in perfume. But all parts of the plant are interesting to me. The soft dirty shells, the fatty earthy nut, the dark skins, the leaves in the field. I took an accord of peanut, expanded it with soft strokes of gourmand notes, earthy tones, toasty woods, a grassy vetyver. It’s a drive through fields of dried plants and soft shells, but really it’s all about the nut!”
Peanut is available now from D.S. & Durga