Our Story

Where scent becomes part of your story.

Our story, told by Rafaela.

It started with a candle I couldn’t replace

Before Panda Series existed, I was already obsessed with candles and fragrance. I was young, on a budget, and there was one candle I kept returning to because it was large, affordable and had a fragrance I loved.

Then I went back to buy it and was told it had been discontinued. I was genuinely sad. I looked for something to replace it, but the alternatives were either much smaller or far beyond what I could afford.

Kris encouraged me to stop searching and create the candle brand I wished existed, with our own fragrances, different sizes and the freedom to make it completely ours.

The name came naturally too. We wanted something cute and playful, and the black and white look of our early candles made Panda feel right. We didn’t have a huge business plan or know exactly where it would lead. We were simply excited to create something of our own.

A tiny kitchen and months of testing

We started in a tiny kitchen in my home that could barely fit both of us.

Neither of us came from candle making, so we taught ourselves. For months, we tested wax, wicks, fragrance ratios, temperatures and vessels. We wasted more candles than we’d like to admit because nothing met our expectations at first.

When we couldn’t find the quality or individuality we wanted from the materials available in Cyprus, we began sourcing our fragrance oils and vessels from abroad. Our lids are made here in Cyprus.

Today, every Panda Series candle is poured by hand, in small batches, using 100% soy wax.

Made for different spaces

The fragrances that formed our first collection are still part of Panda today, and we are now beginning to develop its next chapter.

The different candle sizes were never just a design choice. A small bedroom has different needs from a large, open room, so we wanted people to choose the candle that made sense for their own space.

Two people behind Panda

Panda Series has always been built by both of us.

I handle the creative side, including the creative direction, imagery, website, social media and community.

Kris handles the less visible side, including sourcing, orders, fragrance recipes and measurements, logistics, VAT and the numbers.

When it is time to make the candles, we do it together.

Still growing

Panda Series began naturally, with a discontinued candle, a tiny kitchen and an idea we decided to follow.

Over the years, the brand and our vision have grown. Panda will continue to evolve, but the two of us will remain behind every part of it, just as we have been from the beginning.

Thank you for being here and for letting Panda Series become part of your home.

Rafaela & Christoforos
Founders of Panda Series