CaFleureBon Profiles In American Perfumery: Julie Elliot of In Fiore + Natural Parfum Solides Draw

 

 

 

I first discovered In Fiore in 2007,  while suffering through yet another “Confiscation of Liquids” check in at the airport, (just how much can YOU stuff into a small Ziploc baggie); I searched for a solid perfume, so I could squeeze a precious few inches for my mascara and glosses. I  heard about a young American perfumer named  Julie Elliot, went onto her website  and bought  Bois d’ete “unsniffed’. Julie lives in San Francisco,(so much talent in the Bay Area!) but travels the world in search of fine, rare and organic ingredients for her eponymous  perfume and  ancillary products that includes bath, bodyand the most remarkable natural skincare line.

 

 

PROFILE-My mother was born in Brantford Ontario of German Irish decent. In 1957 when she was 15 years old her parents relocated the family to California. When I was a child she worked for Shulton, a Los Angeles-based company that distributed Nina Ricci and Cornsilk Cosmetics. Remember Desert Flower? She used to wear L’Air du Temps (she now she wears Serge Lutens Clair de Musc), and vibrant-colored lipsticks by Revlon. I remember our cabinets always full of aromatic lotions, tonics, and talcs. This was trouble, for I was curious and would help myself to the potions and start blending them. Yes, I started blending at the ripe old age of 4. I once even tried to seduce a garden lizard with a potion. It didn’t work. My eccentricities as a child came to light when one year my mother decided to ship to me a box full of my old journals. In them I found several formulas I had written but not able to remember how or where these had come from. I guess it is in my blood.

  

 AMERICAN PERFUMERY-I don’t view perfume within the confines of nationality. However, as I think about it, a perfume could be classified American as the feeling of a “melting pot” of cultures and ideas. I work with essences from all over the world and regard them as characters who play a role in a blend. For example, when I find an exquisite essence I think of how I might highlight the essence and the cast of supporting characters who will bring out it’s best qualities and nuances. In Fiore transcends gender, age, and nationality and speaks to everyone and all cultures. I work with naturals due to their energy and I regard nature as the perfect artist that doesn’t need to be manipulated -let nature speak for itself. My minimalist approach to blending lends well to solids, which sit up on the skin longer so you experience the unfolding of the fragrance. I also love the feel of the gold compact in the hands, like a coveted ancient relic. It is all a part of the experience.

 All In Fiore Parfum solides are crafted with the finest absolutes and essences in a base of golden jojoba oil and honey scented beeswax, encased within an elegant compact, our delicate fragrances have incomparable longevity owing to a rich, all natural base that allows the scent to mature and grow more complex over time, unlike synthetic fragrances.

 

 

American artist Cy Towmbly’s work speaks to my soul. He was inspired by nature and landscapes and for me his works have movement, like a dance, like you are witnessing flowers blooming. They have the energy you find in nature where whorls of life emanate from plants.

 (Edwin Parker "Cy" Twombly, Jr. (April 25, 1928 – July 5, 2011 was an American artist well known for his large-scale, freely scribbled grafitti ; later on in life his works moved into Romantic symbolism as shown above)

  

Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

 

All In Fiore Parfum solides are  crafted with the finest absolutes and essences in a base of golden jojoba oil and honey scented beeswax, encased within an elegant compact, our delicate fragrances have incomparable longevity owing to a rich, all natural base that allows the scent to mature and grow more complex over time, unlike synthetic fragrances. Julie  is offering a reader’s choice of one of her ten   (attention Attar addicts there are two including Oud Amberi Attar

 

To  be eligible comment on something you learned about  Julie and  choose your fragrance by  logging on to  http://www.infiore.net/> products >Parfum solides. Draw closes September 7, 2011 EST  PLEASE LIKE CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery because this series will run throughout the remainder of the year; and your entry will count as two.

 

 

Thank you to Francesca Brice of Pacific Perfumes for reuniting us after 6 years.

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38 comments

  • Zee Boudreaux says:

    I am an In Fiore addict. The skin care line is amazing if Oud Noir or Oud Amberi Attar are part of the draw sign me up.

  • what *didn’t* i learn about this perfumer?
    i knew nothing at all about her.
    except that i *have* known for a few years that love her rose noir 🙂

    would also love to try patchouli royale or bois d’ete.

  • Queen Rose Attar sounds amazing and to learn she wore L’Air du Temps a fragrance my mother loved many years ago brings back some memories for me. It is fun to learn things about current perfumers and to get a glimpse into their life.

  • I would like Fleur Oranger, the composition seems closest to ma taste. The perfumeur is completely new to me, hopefully she will be more known later for excellent products. Starting in 4 years of age? Wow, that’s very brave and unusual. Thanks!!!

  • I knew little about solid perfumes. It is interesting to me that In Fiore’s are formulated to have lasting power, longevity. which is something I desire. I also loved how Julie describes an “American” perfume as a melting pot of cultures and ideas….which I believe is true of all perfumes from anywhere. I think Fumee d’Ambre would be my choice, however so many sound intoxicating!

  • Lovely to read this, yes I was enthusiastic that Julie should be one of the American Perfumers profiled after I had visited her shop in San Francisco and had the privilege to sample the most beautiful solid creations that she makes. The shop is beautiful, serene and full of atmosphere and perfume and skincare products to die for! Rose Noir is divine but I do remember being torn between that and Night Queen which I will not say it would be my pick for the draw!

  • I loved to read this. I knew nothing about Julie, I have only heard of the line but read nothing about it. Please enter me in the draw. My choice would be patchouli royale.

  • She was 4?! 🙂 It is great to learn how perfumers showed interest in earl age… I guess it was meant to be. 🙂
    I looked descriptions of each solid and they are all so different and so beautiful. Finally, I am going with Fleur Orange.

  • Wonderful – I’ve been wondering about perfume and how these days its so hard to travel with them through airports.

    So loved to hear about all the natural ingredients – its a big part of my own work too. I’ve always been drawn to roses so Rose Noir and Rose Attar sound divine.

  • I knew nothing about Julie, but now thanks to this article I have discovered her amazing line. I would love to try all the perfumes, because all of them are appealing to me (and that doesn’t often happen), but my pick would be Queen Rose Attar or Night Queen. It’s been really difficult to decide because all of them sound gorgeous.

    I love to read about perfumers lives and how they started their careers. And I always feel interest for their parents and their descent. In this case, German and Irish descent. I love to see how so many different origins melted in a huge country 🙂
    So I can understand that that diversity is behind American perfumery.

  • I don’t know much about naturals and haven’t tried many. Imagining essences as “characters” with a supporting cast makes perfect sense to me. The attars sound beautiful, and I would love to try any of them. I really enjoy these interviews.

  • This is new perfumer for me. I use solid perfumes in summer because I sometimes get sun allergy in the summer and I avoid using sprays at that time. My choice would be Oud Amberi Attar.

  • I purchased In Fiore’s Fleurs Blanches unsniffed and was greatly rewarded. My first solid perfume, and I love the texture, the long-wearing-ness of the scent, the heft and quality craftmanship of the compact itself. It really does all go together. I am fascinated by these perfumer profiles, and for Julie, I especially like the part about her discovering in her old journals formulas she had thought up even at that young age. It makes me think people really do find their callings early in life, and that you never know what it is in your environment that leads to that early spark.

  • Forgot to say which perfume I would like to win. I would say Oud Amberi Attar or Rose Noir or Queen Rose Attar. I might need some guidance deciding. I sampled Vetiver Sambac once and it was intense! About knocked me out. It’s pretty rare that a solid perfume can feel so intense.

  • I love hearing about her childhood adventures in blending! We’ve all got to start somewhere! Thanks for this charming profile! I’d love to try her Fleurs Blanches…

  • I did not know of this perfumer. but I love that she was mixing otions at 4! I would love to be considered for this draw. I would like Fleurs Blanches or Rose Noir from the descriptions.

  • I did not know of this perfumer. but I love that she was mixing potions at 4! I would love to be considered for this draw. I would like Fleurs Blanches or Rose Noir from the descriptions.

  • I didn’t know anything about this perfumer but I was pleased to be informed as I am always on the lookout for natural perfumes for my girls! Neroli and orange blossom sound divine so I think I will pick the Fleur Oranger. Thank you for this draw!

  • I enjoyed reading that her family came originally from Canada (where I live) and that perfuming was in her blood. I can’t wait to try her Fleur Blanches or Fleur Orange. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this draw. Julie – keep on keepin’ on. We need more people living the natural life. Love Lyn

  • It’s interesting that she’s traveling to find materials. I hear some such experiences can be pretty dangerous . ..
    I’d love to try Oud Ambery Attar or Fumee D’ambre.

  • Queen Cupcake says:

    I had not heard about Julie Elliot’s work, but am so glad to know about it now. I love it that she tried to enchant a garden lizard with one of her (earliest) works! And I especially love it that she uses so many natural ingredients in her parfums solides. If I were to win the draw, I would choose Vetiver Sambac (although they all sound divine!).

  • Anyone inspired by the great Cy Twombley is a fellow traveller!! I love solids and I’m a lover of white flowers so I’d love to try Fleurs Blanches.

  • I love their design and logo, looks very classy and pure and I love that it is all natural. I have not tired any products and would love to.
    I would love to try rose noir or Fleurs blanches.

  • I loved to find out about a new perfumer (new for me, of course, since Julie is certainly a very experienced perfumer). I did not know anything about Julie or In Fiore. I especially appreciated learning that Julie found her passion so early, “at the ripe age of 4”, and carried it throughout her life. Such dedication demands admiration and respect!

    If I am the lucky winner, I’d love to try Fumee d’Ambre.

  • Fumee d’Ambre would be perfect for autumn…And I love her story about the impact her mother’s vocation had on her life…I have similar memories of experimenting with my mom’s toiletries and perfumes…first fragrance I ever loved was ‘Joy’ thanks to her…

  • I loved that Julie doesnt think of perfumery in terms of nationality but also that American perfumery is a melting pot of so many things… so true about American spirit 🙂 My choice would be Oud Amberi Attar

  • I’m always interested to learn what fragrances perfumers themselves wear. It tells me something about their individual taste and style. So Julie wears Clair de Musc! Interesting!

    I would so love to try the Oud Amberi Attar. It sounds amazing!

  • I first learned of In Fiore sometime in 2008 while reading a book by Meg Mateo Ilasco titled “Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business” I was intrigued by her solid perfumes and body balms and went ahead to order the Rose Noir Solid perfume and Kasmir Body balm. I was new to natural perfumes at the time and it was difficult to describe the aroma of Rose Noir but the words that came to mind were cool, elegant, sophisticated. Now that i am more familiar with essential oils and absolutes I am able to pick some of the notes out when I smell Rose Noir. The gold compact feels solid and of high quality. Very pleasing to the eye. It comes packaged in a navy blue box with the In Fiore logo embossed in gold. Very nice! Wd love to try oud amberi attar next

  • I learned who Juliie’s favorite artist is! Nature.. I also learned our Soul’s passion unfolds to us many possibilities and gifts, and we must act upon those.
    I love her minimalist approach and totally love solids.
    My choice… PATCHOULI ROYALE.. Wonderful article and I love reading about all these wonderful perfumers.
    Thanks Michelyn and Francesca!

  • I think a hundred years ago someone got me a solid as a birthday gift and it was cracked and dried out with a lemon plege scent and comet composition. There were no layers. I recall that which I was given, it had no layers of scent no drydown just POW here I am and I am one dimensional. And there was nothing Natural about it.
    Having said that I have previously been sour on solids, I know my fairy Godmother of Fragrance would never steer me wrong so I gotta say I would love to try this.
    I am a patchouli gal at heart so Patchouli Royale or white flowers is tempting. Patchouli wins!
    I know others must be enticed by the metal pop tops that are home to the solids! Awesome. Looks like it will fit right into the makeup bag no worries.
    And for the learning portion, I think its awesome that she was 4 and doing her little creations but almost more impressive was the lizard enticing! If my kids saw a lizard, they would surely leap:)
    Thanks for the draw:)

  • I love both the Rose Noir and the Night Queen…These solid compacts are so elegant.
    I would love to try the Fumee d’Ambre!!

  • Oh what a worthy person to spotlight! Some time ago I was given a sample of a couple of In Fiore products, including a sublime Jasmine-based oil, and I have been craving more ever since. These are truly top notch perfumes. I did not know that she has been doing this since 1999, but maybe my wallet is happier not knowing! I would love to try these and my choice- almost impossible to make! – would be the Queen Rose Attar.

  • My mother wore L’air du temps, as well! Great profile. I would love to try Fumee d’ambre. Thanks for the draw!

  • What I learned about Julie Elliot is that her love of perfume atarted deep in her childhood. I love that she has stayed in touch with her “eccentricities as a child”, especially the memory of her trying to seduce a lizard with perfume! My choice would be Fleurs Blanches. The base notes sound wonderful.

  • I would love to be entered in this drawing. I love In Fiores products but I have yet to try her perfume solids. I would have to say I did not know alot about Julie Elliot before reading this and I find it interesting that she started blending at age 4. I am sure by now with her lovely years of experience she is a master at blending a fine perfume. I would like to try all of them but I have narrowed it down to either Rose Noir or Fleurs Blanches.

  • Thank you, Gentlepeople, for your support and comments. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love to do for a living and share it with others. My heartfelt thanks to Micheyln, Ida, and Ca Fleure Bon for their generosity and support.

    Warmly, Julie

  • I had heard of In Fiore, but had no idea that they only do parfum solids, let alone an entire natural skin care range, which I found most interesting. (I have never really been much of a “solid perfume” fan. In fact have actually never owned one. So maybe it’s time I give one a try. These sound like the perfect place to start. :o)
    ~ My choice would be their “Fumee d’Ambre” … (Thank you !)