CaFleureBon Creative Directors in Perfumery: Linda Pilkington of Ormonde Jayne London + Relentless Passion Perfume Draw

linda pilkington ormonde jayne

Linda Pilkington Of Ormonde Jayne London

There was never a time when I sat down and planned to create a “Perfume House” – as hard as it may be to believe, it has all come about through little more than happenstance.  Walking along Bond Street twelve years ago I bumped into to a good friend, Bruce Anderson, who I had not seen for years and who was now working for Chanel Fine Jewelry. Our history went back a long way, he had even sold my parents a diamond bracelet which they gave me for my 21st birthday present. We talked about old times and Bruce remembered I used to make scented candles and other scented concoctions and it prompted him to ask if I could develop a special scented candle for his Chanel Boutique. It was a great opportunity and I really didn’t want to let him down. Several months later and after a lot of meetings I finally received approval and the first order. In my innocence, I wrote the invoice in my best handwriting in orange ink, sealed with a wax stamp! Later I was called by the accounts department who informed me they can’t pay an invoice like this and to form a company with a registration number.

 ormonde jayne Boutique-BondStreet

Ormonde Jayne Boutique- 28 Old Bond Street

And that is how Ormonde Jayne came about. My husband came up with the name, taking my middle name and combining it with the street we lived on in Primrose Hill – we wanted something personal, easy to remember and English – and I designed the logo and registered it…. all so I could write an invoice for Chanel! The work I had put into this first Chanel candle creation had cost a great deal of time and money. It crossed my mind that if I could make this work as a business, this would be the ultimate career. Essentially, I needed to be surrounded with like-minded people with high expectations and demanding briefs to keep me on my toes and push me to achieving something extraordinary. Before long I had several high profile designers and hoteliers on my books but the next step was to do a trade show to attract buyers from the high-end stores. A larger investment was needed to build a rather chic pop up Ormonde Jayne store and once again my husband stepped in and gave me an interest free loan of £5000. Then I hit Bond Street undercover to look over all the beautiful chic stores and made my notes. It paid off; Ormonde Jayne picked up first prize for the best stand design at the show and I received orders from Neiman Marcus, Bergorf Goodman and Takashimaya in Manhattan, as well as Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty’s in London.

OJ-generic-Eau-De-P-x2b

Brimming with confidence I now set out to think long and hard about what I could do to make Ormonde Jayne different from the other perfume houses. I had the ideas, the know-how, I also had a studio and all the equipment but I needed something extra special to set us apart.  This is not something you can brainstorm, it has to happen organically and the moment came when a client wanted me to re-create a perfume like Fracas. Of course I didn’t want to do it as you can still buy this fragrance today, but I also didn’t want to lose the client. My promise to her was that I would find a flower as heady as tuberose but more rare, a flower not widely used in the perfume industry. This was my moment, when it all became clear to me and I knew what I should be doing for Ormonde Jayne. I would research and find unusual flowers, resins and woods not necessarily used in the modern international perfume industry. But, of course, the perfume still had to be drop dead gorgeous. The level of constructing a perfume was up until then all done through using the Poucher book with the formulations in the back, how to recreate tuberose, spring jasmine, cedar wood but I needed to go beyond.

linda pilkington and geza schoen for ormonde jayne

Linda with Perfumer Geza Schoen

 As luck would have it, an excellent perfumer, Geza Schoen, came into my life. He had read about Ormonde Jayne and wanted to know if I had an alcohol license. At the time, he had seventeen years of experience creating perfumes and now he wanted independence. It was a perfect match, I needed help and he needed a studio to work from, crimping machines,  filters, distilled water and denaturized alcohol . We hit it off straight away, the dynamics worked. Not only did he love my ideas but was positively happy to be involved and loved the fact that money was no object when it came to the formulations; they simply had to be the most elegant perfumes in the world. That was twelve years ago  (2002), and  it took two years to put the first four perfumes together (Ormonde Woman, Tolu, Champaca and Frangipani),  as we searched  for ingredients not widely used in the perfume industry,  we found oudh (Ormonde Man), hemlock (Ormonde Woman and Man) , all fabulous and mysterious oils . I know when we found the right ingredients because I felt an intense sense of excitement and anticipation.

Linda pilkington ormonde jayne

Linda Pilkington searchs for unusual flowers and ingredients

The creative and original ideas that form Ormonde Jayne have all developed from my passion for travel. Probably my best ability is my switched on brain and beady eye and pursuit of perfection. It can be a moody song with romantic lyrics, the perfect colour of coral, a shimmering stretch of sand and sun, the inside of a vintage Bentley together with a good stretch of the imagination and my relentless passion for “only the best will do” make for an Ormonde Jayne perfume.

 ormonde jayne studio  ormonde jayne studio perfumes

Once the bee is firmly buzzing around my bonnet, my thought pattern does not switch off. I think it over then re-think it again, write notes and develop the idea over a long period. I already know what the scent will smell like, the entrance, the dry down. I know the basic accord of the formulation, the oils I will search for but the most important aspect is the philosophy of why it has to be like it is. The private area, the part of the perfume I can’t and do not want to explain to anyone except Geza. I talk the idea through with him and we develop the idea to the next stage. Because of his expertise, he can tell me very quickly if the basic accord is going to work or not. I will always explain my reasoning and he gets it straight away. No constraints, no financial confinements, no timings, just pure creativity.

 ormonde jayne perfumes candles and body cremes

Ormonde Jayne-distinctive fragrances and packaging

Ormonde Jayne was one of the first perfume houses to use Oudh (Ormonde Jayne Man) in an international fine fragrance, I travelled far and met some incredible people along the way, I’ve learnt so much by taking the hands-on approach at every level.  The studio is now bigger and better and right by Regents Park in London.  Ormonde Jayne is a British perfume house; the candles oils and perfumes are all created by me, Linda Pilkington, translated by GezaSchoen and put together by our wonderful team of craftsmen at our own London studio. We stay in touch with our clients and have a dedicated Customer Service team to make sure everything is running smoothly.

FourCornersoftheEarth-group

My latest creation for Ormonde Jayne was the launch of The Four Corners of the Earth in November 2012 on The Orient Express (Montabaco, Tsarina, Nawab of Oudh and Qi). It is a new angle but not a great departure from what we are known for. Our four scents embody the spirit of Russia, the Middle and Near East, China and Latin America. The collection pays homage to the ever changing city of London, a crossroads from where we can view the world, a unique location where diversity can be celebrated on every corner and created by a London based perfume house, Ormonde Jayne.

Linda J Pilkington, Founder and Creative Director of Ormonde Jayne

all photos are copyright

 ormonde jayne Boutique-SloaneSquare

Ormonde Jayne second boutique 192 Sloane Square

Editor’s Note: I have corresponded with Linda for nine years, ever since I began writing about niche fragrance. As other  niche perfume houses come and go, churning out  scents at a ridiculous rate, Linda Pilkington continues to be committed to quality and originality. I have worn Frangipani since it first debuted and recently rediscovered the plush, lush beauty that is Tolu. I wear Ormonde Jayne’s bath oils as personal scents and a favorite is the creamy and carnal Champaca. My friendship with Geza Schoen dates back from the introduction of Escentric Molecules (01) in  2005 and there is such a wonderful synergy between them, which is part of the reason Ormonde Jayne is a House that every American perfumerie and specialty store wants to carry in the US (At this time, Linda has no plans to  distribute the fragrances stateside). When I started CaFleureBon, Linda Pilkington was one of the first to cheer us on, help us celebrate our first birthday in 2011 and we are so grateful for her support and generosity.  A big thank you to Jason Waterworth of UP Public Relations as well   – Michelyn Camen

 ormonde jayne perfumes

Thanks to Linda  Pilkington we have a worldwide draw for one reader for your choice of one of the following nine Ormonde Jayne’s iconic EDPS: Ormonde Woman (2002), Ormonde Man (2004), T’aif (2004), Tolu (2002), Champaca (2002) , Frangipani (2003), Osmanthus (2006), Isferkand (2005) or Orris Noir (2006).  To be eligble please leave a comment with what you learned about Linda Pilkington as a Creative Director and your choice of one of the above fragrances by September 20, 2013.

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91 comments

  • I learned that Linda takes notes and develops the creative idea of a fragrance over time working at her London studio. I also liked reading about her start up with the candle making ventures. I would love to win Tolu if chosen. Thanks! Interesting post!

  • I really enjoyed reading about her creative process. Very interesting, especially with this idea here: “. . . the philosophy of why it has to be like it is.” As an artist, when I work with others, this is an important piece and it’s difficult to convey!

    I would love to win Tolu! And yes, I’ve liked the Profiles on FB! Cheers!

  • Loved reading this, I am an Ormonde Jayne fan for sure, the fragrances are lovely. Interesting to know that the creative and original ideas that form Ormonde Jayne have all developed from her passion for travel. I also like the isea that she tries to find ingredients not widely used in Perfume making and that she searches for unusual flowers and ingredients. Would love to win Orris Noir its been on my want list for many years 🙂

  • Oh, I learned that money is no object in the recent collaboration with Geza Schoen. Hee hee. I love those house and am eager to try the new four corners. But until then, I’d love to win Tolu as I have most of the others already!

  • I’m loving how everything fell into place as to how her business got started. I also like how she tries to find unusual ingredients not commonly used. I did not realize the she was one of the first to use Oudh. That is great. I live in the USA and would choose the Ormonde Man….Thank you for a great story,

  • The challenge that Linda set for herself — to “find unusual flowers, resins and woods not necessarily used in the modern international perfume industry” — has resulted in some truly gorgeous perfumes. I’d choose Ormonde Woman. Thanks for the draw!

  • I did not know Linda’s story and was especially interested to learn how she made her point of difference within an already saturated market, her ideas and process of working through them. Noted the passion for travel, gives great pperspective. Thank you, a great story with important detail, an inspirational story I might venture to say. I’d love to try Osmanthus.

  • The way she started was funny, in how she sent an invoice to Chanel, really funny. And to team with Geza Schoen is brilliant! He is a really talented nose. And also is interesting to learn that OJ was one of the first houses to introduce Oud to western perfumery. Really cool.
    My pick would be Ormonde Jayne Man.
    I live in the US and thanks for the cool draw.

  • I learned that Ormonde Jayne was one of the first houses to use Oud.
    My pick would be Isfarkand.
    I live in the US, and THIS is a great draw 🙂

  • The entire story was new to me, but I must confess that I enjoyed the Chanel invoice the most. I also enjoyed reading about the collaboration with Geza Schoen and the use of unique ingredients. I’m in the US and I would choose Ta’if.

  • I didn’t realize she was one of the first to use oudh in a scent. I would choose Ta’if, and I’m in the US.

  • I loved hearing how her business started from a hobby and the requirement for paperwork for Chanel 🙂 I would love to win Ta’if and I am in the US.

  • I was surprised to read that they were one of the first houses to use oudh also. Now it’s everywhere! I love the story of how the company formed…sometimes opportunity finds you! I would love to try all but for this draw, Ormonde Jayne Woman.
    Thank you!

  • Chapeau Clack says:

    Wonderful profile as always. I love the Creative Directors series.
    The bit that I really liked is how a chance meeting with a friend eventually led to the creation of a prominent perfume house. Amazing really, and proves the point that some of the best things in life happen through happenstance.
    I’d love to win Ormonde Woman if chosen. Thanks for the generous draw and a delightful read.

  • Very nice,I realy enojied reading the article.Once again an exapmle that good ideas come to the right people who need them and who will make them happen in the best possible way.I didn’t know where the name of the brand came and that she started her buissnes creating candle for Chanel boutique. The whole story was very interesting like a movie script in wich the star is the creativity of Linda on her quest for creating the perfect perfumes.I love Ormonde Man I couldn’t pick anything else.

  • I’ve learned that Ms Pilkington is a great speaker person for her brand. Unfortunately, in my recent experience, “Customer Service team to make sure everything is running smoothly” isn’t as great as I would expect from the brand on this level (I didn’t get a response to my e-mail about the parfum I purchased). But I guess everything can’t be great. Oh well, I will keep buying their perfumes since I love many of them.
    My choice would be Ta’if EdP to keep company to Ta’if parfum I’ve recently bought.

  • This quote neatly sums up Ms. Pilkington’s creative process: “I know the basic accord of the formulation, the oils I will search for but the most important aspect is the philosophy of why it has to be like it is.” I enjoyed reading about her.

    My pick would be Orris Noir.

  • I have learnt that Linda is especially interested in unknown ingredients that have never been or rarely used by others…My choice will be Ormonde Man and i do hope her fragrances are distributed in the U.S. soon

  • I learned how Linda Pilkington/Ormonde Jayne set out to use unusual ingredients in perfumery. It had never occurred to me, even though it is evident when you look at her line (e.g. black hemlock). And I had no idea she had started as a candle maker and B2B supplier. She has come a long way!
    My choice would be Champaca. Thanks for the give away and the lovely read!

  • I loved that this all started with a scented candle!!! Awesome! And that they were one of the first houses to use oud.

    My choice would be Ormonde Woman, thank you.

  • I had no idea how all started and it was fun to learn about the hand written invoice to Chanel
    great read!
    I would like to win “Ormonde Woman”
    thanks for the international draw

  • I didn’t know any of the above, I liked the beginning in a Chanel candle, and the description of the creative process.
    I’d like to win Ormonde Woman,
    I’m in the EU,
    ty

  • I love how she came up with the name of her brand from her middle name and the street she lived on! I own Taif and enjoy so many of this line. I would choose Champaca if I won.

  • I learned that her husband came up with the name using her middle name and the street they lived on. I am sad she has no plans to distribute stateside, but that just means we’ll want it even more. I would choose Orris Noir. I took a look at the video that accompanied this fragrance and learned that Black Iris of Amman is the national flora of Jordan. In the interviews for these fragrances you can tell that she is really passionate about her creations; I like that.
    Residing in the USA.

  • Ormonde Jayne is an amazing perfume house and Linda Pilkington is truly an inspiration. Indeed her sense of innovation and freedom in creativity with the complicity of Geza Schoen was clear in this article. Reading that the use of Oud and Hemlock absolute in OJ scents was one of the first in the perfume industry just makes us sit up and wait impatiently for what will be next.
    Thank you for this generous draw and article..I would love to win Tolu..

  • I learned that Linda took out a £ 5000 loan to start her business and took a long two years to finally produce her first perfume. Her perfumes were also the first to use push and unusual flowers in her scents .i would live to try Orris Noir if I win.

  • I learned how how it all started for Linda, by bumping into an old friend. That friend recognized her talent!Seems like it was meant to be. Her “only the best will do” vision helped her to success-I would love to win Frangipani. Thanks for the wonderful drawing!

  • I learned that Ormone Jayne was one of the first brands to use oudh or HEMLOCK! I didn’t knew it could be used in perfumery!
    If I win I’d chose Orris Noir.
    I’m in Poland

  • I really enjoyed learning about Linda’s journey! I also did not know that she was one of the first to use Oudh and Black Hemlock in a fragrance. I admire that she was willing to invest money in such mysterious ingredients! I live in the US and would choose Orris Noir.
    Thanks for this amazing article and draw!

  • The drive and the confidence she has are amazing. I also am impressed by the obvious support she’s had from her husband. Would the business have flourished without their partnership? Her creativity bubbles like a fountain, very inspiring, so I can’t imagine anything other than success for Ormande Jane. Such gorgeous perfumes ; my choice is Tolu, and thanks to all for the article and generous draw.

  • I loved the story about the candle, gorgeous I’m sure..and the handwritten invoice!
    I would choose Tolu if I am lucky enough to win.

  • Thank you for a glimpse into Linda Pilkington’s creative process. I didn’t know how closely she works with Geza Schoen or that she had orders from Bergdorf Goodman when she first created candles. I would be ecstatic to win Tolu. Thank you Ms Pilkington and Cafleurebon!

  • What an opportunity to be walking down the street and be asked to make a candle for a Chanel Boutique.
    I would choose if I won, the Ormonde Man. I’m in the U.S. Thank you.

  • It is fascinating that such a distinguished career was born almost by accident. But luck favors the well-prepared: she had been making those candles for a while, after all. Kudos to the husband for supporting her. I hope my wife and I will someday get to visit the shop in London. For now, we’d be delighted to get Ormonde Man.

  • I watched Linda Pilkington ‘s success for few years and love many of her fragrances. Reading about the creative process is very interesting and kind of unique.
    I would love to win Ormonde W.

    Thank you.

  • I loved reading your article. I love the fragrances by Ormonde Jayne. I think she has an unique talent of creating fragrances with unfamiliar natural ingredients. She gets inspiration by traveling.
    I would love to win one of the fragrances. It is hard to pick one. I would like go for ormonde jayne man.

  • I enjoyed reading about her entry into the business and her processes. I have only ever tried Ormonde Woman. I think I might like Tolu. thanks for the draw.

  • I have been an Ormonde Jayne fan for a while. I own and love Tolu, Frangipani, Woman, and Sampaquita.
    I love her inspirations ” It can be a moody song with romantic lyrics, the perfect colour of coral, a shimmering stretch of sand and sun, the inside of a vintage Bentley together with a good stretch of the imagination and my relentless passion for “only the best will do” make for an Ormonde Jayne perfume.” This is so moving. A shimmering stretch of sand is just perfect. This is a great article and an equally amazing draw. I would love to try Champaca!

  • I enjoyed reading how the start up of the company all began and how its name was chosen. If the winner, I would choose Champaca, Thank you for this exellent drawing!

  • I think it’s a really funny story how the company started. Practically just to write an invoice. I think it’s great that Ormonde Jayne became such a celebrated brand. Should I win, I would love a bottle of Ta’if.

  • I enjoyed learning how the company began, the role of her husband, and the wide range of things that inspire her (from the inside of a Bentley, to her travels). Very interesting. I’d like to try Orris Noir. Thank you for the chance.

  • The origins of the line are so interesting. Thank you for another insightful article!
    I would choose Ormonde Woman! (…and have been wanting to try this for a long time!)

  • The first thing I learnt about Linda Pilkington, is that she has a beautiful smile. Secondly, I am impressed that she chooses unique ingredients for her scents.
    I love the bit about how one of her clients asked her to create a Fracas copycat. Her reply was that she’d use tuberose but make it a rare and unique blend using other fascinating ingredients. She keeps her customers happy, but she opens their eyes at the same time.

    If I were lucky enough to win, I would love a bottle of Orris Noir.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Everything I’ve tried by Ormonde Jayne has been an enjoyable experience in renewing my faith in modern perfumery. Her story is proof that you never know when opportunity may knock so it’s best to open the door to all possibilities.

    It may be the hemlock in Ormonde Woman that makes it so alluring to me, I don’t know, but I do know that Ormonde Woman is my pick were I to be lucky enough to win a bottle.

  • I didn’t know before that Linda Pilkington started out with scented candels, that was interesting!
    If I won I would love a bottle of Ormonde Woman.

  • Interesting she was one of the first to use Oudh. Also, find it interesting her strive for uniqueness and perfection. Excellent story of how her store came to be. Was written in the stars for her. Simply awesome. I would definitely choose the Ormonde Man. Sound so excellent. In the USA.

  • I did not know that Ormonde Jayne was one of the first perfume houses to use Oudh, and right in Ormonde Man, a perfume I wear and love.
    My choice would be Isfarkand.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I was always wondering where the name Ormonde Jayne came from – now I know! The story about the beginnigs of the company is very fascinating too.
    Today I tried my first OJ fragrance, Orris Noir. It’s very beautiful and definitely goes on my to-buy list (I wouldn’t mind winning it either!)
    I’m in Germany.

  • It’s interesting how a very confidential “negotiating” process with Geza Schoen takes place every time she creates a perfume. I also admire and appreciate that for the first four fragrances they both searched for ultra-rare scents, predating the oud craze.
    I would love to win the lush, comforting Tolu.

  • helical gnome says:

    I love Ormonde Jayne; it reminds me of my wife whose favorite perfume is Frangipani. I find inspiring the relationship Linda has with Geza; her communication of what she calls the “private area” which Geza seems to understand so well since all of the OJ’s perfumes are just this extraordinary mix of beauty and mind.
    Thanks for the draw. I’d choose Champaca.

  • I like the story of how they decided on a name, and was interested to hear they were one of the first niche firms to use oud in fragrances. I’d choose a bottle of Ta’if!

  • I didn’t know that the Ormonde Jayne company was founded to create scented candles for Chanel.
    I’d choose Ormonde Man.
    Thanks!

  • It seems surprising that ,”Ormonde Jayne was one of the first perfume houses to use Oudh (Ormonde Jayne Man) in an international fine fragrance-
    “… It seems so frequently used now. That is an interesting fact from this article for me.

    I would dearly love to try Ormande Jayne, so many people have suggested it and raved about.

  • I learned that she spent two years developing her first four fragrances, and makes a point of searching out lesser-known ingredients. It’s always nice to learn about a perfume house that is more concerned with its perfumes than with marketing. I’d choose Tolu. Thank you!

  • I enjoyed hearing about a chance encounter with an old friend led to producing a candle for Chanel and later, to an impressive perfume business with an international reputation. I would love a bottle of Tolu.

  • What an interesting beginning! For the longest time, I didn’t know Geza Schoen was involved in their creations. I love their commitment to quality and remaining true to their roots. I just wish they had US distribution, especially considering the $58 shipping fees to the US. If zi were lucky enough to win, I would swoon at a full bottle of Ta’if.

  • I learned about how this brand which I admire greatly,has come into existence.I didn’t know she created a company just to be able to issue a proper invoice to Chanel and it is always inspiring to find out great things have humble beginnings. If I were lucky enough to win this draw I would love to have Ormonde Woman which is absolutely beautiful.

  • I like that it all started with the scent for a candle and from that growing into a lovely perfume house, connecting with other creative noses. I’d be happy about a bottle of Tolu!

  • I can’t imagine starting a business to create a candle for Chanel. What an experience! I would love to have Frangipani. Thank you.

  • I loved to learn about the early founding of Ormonde Jayne and particularly the snafu with the invoice to Chanel… Small business is an adventure!

    I do like Creative Directors in Perfumery on Facebook. I’d like to be entered for Osmanthus. Thank you!

  • What a lovely draw! I greatly enjoyed reading about Linda’s creative process, and the part I found most interesting was learning that her preference for exotic ingredients came about because of a request to recreate Fracas. I would very much like to win Tolu.

  • Daniela Schuch says:

    That she does not compromise creativity. That’s what makes her bran stands up from the rest.

    My choice would be Frangipani

  • I thought the story about the invoice to Chanel (with the orange ink) was quite funny. It was also interesting to hear what inspires her. I would be thrilled to win Tolu. Thanks for the chance!

  • I really enjoyed learning about Geza Schon as muse to Linda. My choice would be Ormond Woman, although I’ve never tried any of these and have heard good things about all of them!

  • I learned that hemlock could be used in fragrances which I did not know. My pick would be Ormonde Woman as I have read many wonderful recommendations for it. I am in the US.

  • Thank you for the draw! I knew very little about the company or Linda Pilkington before this article, but I appreciate the integrity and commitment to perfection she has displayed. Her passion for finding rare and unique scents has also kindled the adventurer in me! I would very much like to experience Ormonde Woman.

  • I like knowing how the company name was formed. (Reminded me of those games….what would your stripper name be?) I’ve sampled and they are beautiful and I would choose Champaca. Thank you.

  • I appreciated that Linda’s first impulse on realizing that she would need to submit a bill to Chanel was to create a work of art. Ormonde Jayne Tolu sounds like my cup of tea.

  • i, too, knew nothing about linda before reading this piece. but i always have been impressed with her fragrances: it is obvious how much care and commitment to quality goes into them. as for a whole bottle of edp (be still my heart): it would be champaca for me.

  • I loved this whole piece! Thank you for the article and the draw. Never knew much about the house besides founded by a British woman.

    Ormonde Jayne Woman is one of my favorite scents, one of my desert-island top 5. Promised myself that when I finish my large decant I will finally obtain a bottle. There is something about the aesthetic of the house –both the externals and the structure/base of the scents–that resonates with me.

    I loved the details like chance meeting on the street, orange ink, wax seal, incorporated so Chanel’s invoice could go through….throughout there is a sense of serendipity. Especially:
    “This was my moment, when it all became clear to me and I knew what I should be doing for Ormonde Jayne. I would research and find unusual flowers, resins and woods not necessarily used in the modern international perfume industry. But, of course, the perfume still had to be drop dead gorgeous”

    Most of all I liked learning about Linda Pilkington’s creative approach and partnership with Geza Schoen:
    “I already know what the scent will smell like, the entrance, the dry down. I know the basic accord of the formulation, the oils I will search for but the most important aspect is the philosophy of why it has to be like it is. ”
    I think that ‘philosophy’ aspect is probably the most important component of creation but hardest to describe to others….

    I’d choose Ormonde Jayne Woman

  • It was so interesting to read about the formation of Ormonde Jayne, to think it all began with an old friend and the creation of a candle! It’s amazing that that led to her collaboration with Geza Schoen. Linda is truly a brilliant creative director. I am in awe. I would love to win Ormonde Woman. Thanks for the generous draw!

  • I enjoyed learning about her hands on approach and deliberate pace. I am very interested in champaca. Thank you.

  • I learned that the creative and original ideas that form Ormonde Jayne have all developed from the passion for travelling.

    I choose Fragipani! Thank you for this draw! Wish you all the best!

  • What a wonderful post! I learned a lot from Linda’s way of thinking, and the thing that strikes me most is the team work she does with Geza Shoen: how she describes the different aspects of the perfume she wants and how he responds to that. It reminds me of another well know partnership, the Lutens- Sheldrake that also gave us marvellous creations.
    I would love to win Ta’if.

  • I am a big fan of Ormonde Jayne perfumes but I was interested to read that the fragrances I most like are the very first four that Linda Pilkington produced. I like that she was seeking out ingredients that at that time were not widely used in the perfume industry. My choice is Tolu.

  • I was very amused that the entire company began in response to needing to register as a company in order to write a proper invoice! It’s funny how things work out:)

    I would choose…Orris Noir!

  • I never knew Linda created a candle for Chanel, but I would love to smell it! My choice would be Tolu. Thank you for the drawing.

  • tomate farcie says:

    I’m always interested in the dynamics of a partnership. I like that Geza and Linda are different sides of a coin, complete each other. I would choose Woman.

  • I had no idea she was associated with geza shoen. he’s a perfumer of curiosity for me. just such an interesting project with eccentric molecules.

    excited to explore Ormonde Jayne in depth. I would choose Isferkand.

  • Well, I did not know that the entire line started with a candle!!
    I was sorry to find out that she does not have any plans to sell her fragrances here in the States.
    I would choose Frangipani.

  • I had no idea how Linda chose the name Ormond Jayne for her line – neat! I’d love a bottle of Tolu!

  • I too was surprised to hear how simply they chose the OJ name. I work in marketing and we jump through so many hoops to name things… I wish it came so easily to us.

    I’m a huge (huge!) fan of Ormonde Jayne. I love her products, her packaging (prefer the original to the newer stuff, but both are divine) and her aesthetic. Of all the perfume houses in the world, I wear OJ the most. I love their bath products, their candles, their perfumes. Ta’if and Tiare are 2 of my top favorite fragrances of all time, by any house. And I bought Tsarina unsniffed because it was a must have, and I can’t wait for cooler weather so I can give it more wears.

    I would choose Champaca but all of them are amazing.

    I noticed that Tiare is not in the list. I bought a bottle after finishing up the travel sprays. I worried a bit that it wasn’t listed AND wasn’t mentioned in the article. Please oh please don’t tell me that it’s been discontinued. Please. Or is it becoming harder to source? Will there be changes to the formulation? I remember Turin’s original review saying that there was limited supply.

  • i didn’t know tgis company stated from the desire to create a andle for Chanel!! I live in the us and would love a bottle of Champaca! Thank you!!!

  • I love Linda’s story and how she literally bumped into her future calling on the streets of London! I’d like to try all of them but Ormonde Woman seem like a lovely place to start. Thank you!

  • I am very intrigued to try all of the Ormonde fragrances. I love Linda’s startup story making a candle for Channel Boutique and eventually creating a company leading to begin making her own perfumes. I hear very good things about her perfumes. It is inspiring that she never planned to create perfumes but life plays it own tricks and we fall into a new game at another level.
    I would love to get Ormonde Woman.
    Thanks USA

  • I thought it was wonderful to hear someone seeking out the lesser known in perfumery. Ingredients and sourcing have always been interesting to me.

    Isfarkand

  • liquidasset77 says:

    This house continues to put forth high quality, experiment and elegant perfumes. I’m a big fan Nawab and Taif Elixir which are tier 1 perfumes and not to mention Black Gold. very much looking forward to experiencing this offering.

  • in the perfume industry. This was my moment, when it all became clear to me and I knew what I should be doing for Ormonde Jayne. I would research and find unusual flowers, resins and woods not necessarily used in the modern international perfume industry. But, of course, the perfume still had to be drop dead gorgeous. The level of constructing a perfume was up until then all done through using the Poucher book with the formulations in the back, how to recreate tuberose, spring jasmine, cedar wood but I needed to go beyond. The above comments just show Linda’s dedication to her craft. I am intrigued by the notes especially Rose, Patchouli, Oudh, Jasmine and Saffron. If I am lucky to win I would love to wib Tolu. Thanks a lot from the UK