ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Christopher Draghi and Robert Dobay of source adage NYC + aka’ula, c’I’aan and monto’ac  Fragrance Draw

Christopher Draghi of source adage NYC

Profile: I grew up in Connecticut in a very creative family. My parents, although they ultimately became lawyers, were very gifted artists in their own right. My father, who passed away when I was eight, was adept at landscape painting and some of my earliest memories were of my mother’s pastel portraits that we would nag her to sketch for us before going to sleep (and after her long day practicing law). Growing up, the youngest of four, I watched my brothers tearing through reams of paper, skillfully sketching their favorite superhero figures. Their cartoons would eventually end up as full scale murals on their bedroom walls. We were encouraged to be creative, to be inspired by art and music and, most importantly, to feel the freedom to follow our passions wherever they led. After the normal passage of primary school art classes, my creative passions led me to study automobile/industrial design at Art Center College in Pasadena, CA. I still am an enthusiast about auto design but, with the auto industry struggling in the early 90’s and my interests turning more and more towards fine art painting, I decided to follow the call of my paternal heritage and move to Italy, where I remained for many years. From the moment I arrived, I couldn’t help but be inspired to create. I immediately began to paint and reacquainted myself with one of my earliest artistic interests, photography. A multi-disciplinary approach to art and design matured in those years which, later, aided my professional career as a creative director, photographer and, most recently, perfumer.

source adage reed diffuser reminiscent of Franz Kline's artwork

I find many parallels in the creative art processes and in fragrance making. It’s a continual balancing and blending of tones, textures and compositions to arrive at a faithful expression of an initial inspiration.

Robert Dobay of source adage NYC

I am fortunate to be able to share these creative ventures with my husband, Robert Dobay, who works by my side on all of our freelance projects and the source adage brand. Robert, a talented designer himself, grew up in Hungary where some of his fondest childhood memories were of his grandmother’s cherished Victorian garden of intermingling floral scents of roses, geraniums and lilies. He carries with him those olfactory memories and sensibilities.

Robert Dobay and Christopher Draghi  of source adage NYC

Together we founded source adage in 2014 and launched our initial collection of ambient fragrances (diffusers and candles) with the opening our retail store in Hudson, NY in September, 2015.

Reed Diffuser and Large Scented Candle in custom designed and produced black glass “adage” vessel, Votive Scented Candle

A collection of eau de parfums followed in late 2016. All of our fragrances are inspired by “great American landscapes” that evoke a sense of that region’s character and culture.

The Formulation Process of creating new fragrances

On American Perfumery: I think being an American perfumer is much like being an American artist in any field. There is a certain liberty that comes with being from such a young nation. I saw this when painting and exhibiting in Florence, the cradle of art.

Robert Dobay and Christopher Draghi at source adage nyc  flagship store entrance

Many of my European counterparts felt the weight of that history, and of what other artists had done before them, on their shoulders. Often, there was a nagging comparison that influenced their work as contemporary artists, especially those recently out of school yet to nurture to their own artistic voices. Coming from the States, those constraints just aren’t there. Perhaps I, more so than Robert, don’t feel an allegiance to tradition.

Creating new fragrances

He helps me recognize its place and importance for context, but enjoys the freedom of experimentation as well – unbound by “what is expected” as we approach a new fragrance concept. We see our non-traditional approach to fragrance making as an important differentiator, if not strength. We have a very clear vision of each fragrance concept but do benefit from an untethered means of arriving there. Where we do “follow the rules”, and it’s something that we strongly believe in for the quality of our products, is when it comes to the final stages of perfecting our formulas with our perfumer(chemist). Not only should the fragrances live up to our vision, but they must also adhere to the necessary testing and authentication standards that a credible product line demands.

Black and White Number 1 1952 By Franz Kline

Favorite American Artist: Art has always been a big part of both of our lives. I am impulsive in character. My own paintings are gestural, immediate. Therefore, I am naturally drawn to abstract expressionism. The work of Franz Kline with its bold, spontaneous strokes in their bare, black and white essence is how I see space divided when I squint. It’s a forceful fragmentation of space that is stark yet highly emotional. This desire for immediacy informs me when I am composing scents too. I am apt to take time and construct a scent in my head but then blend quickly and instinctively before the thought flees.

Carol On The Beach by Andrew Wyeth 1950

Robert, instead, is more methodical. Perhaps it’s his European education. He is an academic and traditionalist at heart. He is drawn to the techniques of realism in figurative art like that of Andrew Wyeth. This studied, methodical approach is how he goes about blending fragrances as well. His experimentation has roots in firmer ground.

 – Co-Founders Christopher Draghi and Robert Dobay of source adage

 

 source adage NYC eau de parfums  monto’ac, aka’ula, and  c’I’aan  

Thanks to source adage NYC we have a draw for a registered reader in the USA for your choice of a 50 ml bottle of source adage NYC aka’ula, c’I’aan or monto’ac click on link here for notes ($160 value). If you don't know how to register please click here. To be eligible please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Christopher and Robert’s path to perfumery, your choice should you win.  Draw closes 7/30/2017

source adage NYC Flagship Store in Hudson, NY

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Stamatis Birsimijoglou of Twisted Lily for the introduction. Robert and Christopher are our 126th CaFleureBon Profile in American Perfumery. source adage nyc perfumes and home ambient fragrances are sold on the Company's website online and at their  brick and mortar store located  314 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook and your entry will count twice.

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19 comments

  • fazalcheema says:

    Christopher and Robert make good team. One is influenced by European arts & culture while other feels it a blessing to be an American because an American doesn’t feel the burden of rich tradition as an European may. I also love the bottles because black color is mysterious and it is also instantly noticeable. It seems Franz Kline’s art might have influenced the bottle design and color. My choice will be aka’ula. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in the US.

  • I am always fascinated by the intersection of arts, how visual or literary art can be translated to an olfactory art. And the inspiration that each artist uses. Also, the difference between European and American perfumers.

    I’m in the US and I’d like to win c’i’aan

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    Nice article! I like the parallel Christopher draws between creating art and creating perfume. I appreciate the bold decisiveness of Kline’s work but relate emotionally to Wyeth’s work and perhaps Robert’s methodological approach. Partnership is always best when two different perspectives are worked through to create something unique.

    I see the parallels here by looking at the juxtaposition of ingredients for each of the three fragrances. Of the three, aka’ula is the one I would want to try first.

    Tom Schroeder
    San Jose, CA

  • Great article and a wonderful introduction to a new perfume range. It was interesting to read Christopher’s life path; we could be twins of different coasts! Professional parents who supported/pushed the arts, the youngest, came west for college (I went East). Ending up involved with perfume! C’i’aan is the one that speaks to me, surrounded as I am by North Coast and First Nations art, as well as the forested and shores of the Pacific Northwest. Many Thanks, Robert H.

  • Nice and kind of this giveaway
    Hopefully I get to try a fragrance out
    Thanks and take care

  • From automobile/industrial design to painting in Italy to make perfume is indeed a fascinating path. My choice if chosen is the aka’ula. US

  • What I found fascinating was the artistic background from being in a creative family and pursuing photography and getting more artistic experience in Italy. I would love to win C’I’aan please. I’m in the US. Thank you so much.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Christopher and Robert seem to balance each other out well (impulsive and methodical, modern and traditional), and that seems equally true in their source adage brand! I have tried aka’ula, and it is well-crafted. I would love to try c’i’ann… that the inspiration comes from great American landscapes is absolutely perfect for an American brand. I love when our perfumers take pride in the natural resources we have here enough to use them for their inspiration! Thank you, I’m in the USA.

  • What I found fascinating was the their try to connetion their artistic backgrounds with perfume art. I like ingredients used in this perfumes.
    I would love to try c’i’ann.
    USA, DE

  • If you can do for my nose what Christopher’s brother does for my tongue, I’m a fan!

  • NiceVULady says:

    I think the ability to be able to work together when you are life partners is very difficult. Robert and Christopher have made that happen. Drawing as your source landscapes from the American scene is intriguing. If I won, I’d like to try C’l’ann as the notes sound really interesting. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • I like that he’s drawn to artwork that is black & white abstracts. I like that it’s translated into the design of his perfume bottles. Clean and sleek.

    I love the notes of aka’ula. It sounds beautiful and I’d love to win that one.

    I live in the US.

  • doveskylark says:

    Christopher’s comment about the USA being a young country and therefore free from the constraints of history was very interesting. This freedom surely leads to experimentation which is so welcome in the perfume world. It is also interesting to think about American and European sensibilities coming together, adding to the experimentation.
    I would choose monto’ac.

  • It was interesting to read how an American painting in Italy eventually met a kindred artistic talent from Hungry and they became lovers and business partners. A true balance. I do like how this new fragrance house will be highlighting all that the USA landscape has to offer. So many diverse and hidden corners of the nation could be exposed and enjoyed. The volcanic smoke and Island spices of Aka’ula sounds like something I would really like. But, with my living in the USA, I would select Monto’ac… with it’s representation of a native American tribe in North Carolina – a state the runs from mountains to the sea.

  • I love that a different artistic background can lead to perfumery especially since I am a multidisciplinary artist ss well. Of course if I were to win I would naturally choose aka’ula since my moniker is also Hawai’ian, Akahina!

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I like that Christopher and Robert do not feel bound by the tradition and hIstory of perfume. How very American following their creative talent. I would like to try the Aka’ula. Nice website as well. Thanks for the opportunity.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    The volcanic smoke and Island spices of Aka’ula definitely peaks my interest & my choice to win. Love the notes and the feeling it gives me when I read it. Fascinated with the two different perspectives / approach working together to create something special. Already LIKED CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook.
    Thanks to source adage NYC and CafleureBon for the opportunity by letting my relative address in US.

  • American perfumery based on a regional landscape. Almost as if the Star Spangled Banner was put into a collection of different fragrances. Hawaiian, Alaskan or Eastern Coastal hillside take your pick… I think the volcanic smoke and Island spices of Aka’ula of the island state of Hawaii also seems to be very interesting! Of pineapple, vetiver, oud wood, coffee and spices… WOW! Some of the reviews cast it as a beastly acknowledgement of Aventus. Maybe on its own rights… Ya, Count me in on the drawing! I do live in the US. THANK YOU

  • I like their commitment to getting it right and the fact they are really into design and the formulation
    Aka’ula for me and thank you