CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume + Draw

 

Roxana Villa

PROFILE: I was born in the port city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a lineage of women with European roots and a rich culture in cooking, knitting and home remedies. My grandmothers, aunts and mother all wore fine fragrances from Europe. For special occasions the children of the family were all spritzed with a Neroli rich cologne, which I adored, called Colonia de Bebe. It was produced by my grandfather’s company and is no longer available, thus in 2008 I recreated it as Blossom.

Roxana's Aunts and her Mom (Back row 2nd from left) at the Mar del Plata


In 1965, when I was three, my parents left the political chaos of Argentina for the greener pastures of the US. We settled in Los Angeles where eventually I graduated from Otis Art Institute with a BFA in Communication Arts. One year later I was living in Brooklyn Heights doing freelance editorial illustration for magazines and newspapers and teaching at art schools. One of my regular monthly features was illustrating the fragrance column of Connoisseur Magazine; little did I know I would soon find myself in that industry.

Roxana loves eating chocolate

 
My introduction into perfume was through Colonia de Bebe, mentioned above, Avon and the beautiful perfumes my mother would return with from her travels to Paris. Occasionally she would take me with her, if not I was brought back gifts like maron glace and French perfume, L’air du Temps was one of my favorites.

Bontanicus by Roxana Villa

 
In the nineties my artwork began to reflect a love of myth, the occult and nature thus my commissions shifted from political commentary and business topics to the health and wellness arena. My client list expanded to include book and advertising accounts with big budgets. I moved back to LA and welcomed my daughter Eve into the world, who was born and raised completely naturally.

While inhaling juniper essential oil at a sweat lodge I was transported out of my current surroundings and dropped into a very fragrant forest of conifers. Among the tall evergreens I felt grounded, renewed and deeply connected with the earth. That adventure expanded into the study of many topics from shamanism to professional aromatherapy. It was at an Artists Workshop in Austria titled Old Masters, New Visions where I witnessed the divine interconnection between the visual arts and perfume. I decided to weave all my talents into a perfume business highlighted with the word "Illuminated" referencing the15th century when the arts were united by the use of raw plant matter.

 Bee Prosperity Greg Spalenka

  
ON AMERICAN PERFUMERY: The roots of fragrance begin with plant aromatics strewn on fires, ointments made to embalm kings and sweeten the aroma of leather gloves. The birth of the modern perfume industry led to synthetic molecules which soon began replacing naturals. We now find ourselves at new pivotal point in the scented trail that aligns with the current trend toward supporting indie artists, sustainability and a more holistic lifestyle. America, rich with its pioneering history, has fostered a wealth of independent perfumers working in a variety of mediums. This new land embraces all the various forms of expression, including individuals as myself who work exclusively with a palette derived from nature. The botanical perfume artist practices integral perfume, working to create beauty through the expression of pure plant extractions within the paradigm of sustainability and health.

This painting by Greg was done as a poster for the School of Visual Arts, which was posted down in the subways.
People liked it so much they peeled it off the walls
  

FAVORITE AMERICAN ARTIST: Choosing one artist as a favorite is as difficult as choosing one essential oil. In the eighties I adored the visionary and fantasy artists who worked for Omni Magazine. During art school and while living in NYC, I was inspired by Frida Kahlo and the illustrator Matt Mahurin. Most recently I have fallen in love with the work of The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Artist Greg Spalenka with his beautiful wife Roxana Villa

The American artist who I feel captivates a bit of the soul of the Pre-Raphaelites combined with a fantastical element is my husband Greg Spalenka. I feel very blessed to have Greg as the illuminator of the images which accompany each fragrance in my line.

Roxana Villa, Natural Perfumer and Founder of Illuminated Perfume

 

example of  mini compact  with solid perfume

For our draw, Roxana is graciously giving one fortunate CaFleureBon reader the opportunity to win a special perfume set  custom created for CaFleureBon which includes a 1 gram vial and solid mini compact of one of the following perfumes:  Q (pictured in composite),  To BeeChaparral®   Vespertina  GreenWitch, Aurora or Aumbre. This special edition also includes three archival prints measuring 3 inch square, packaged in a wax sealed glass in envelope.
(Imagery relates to the chosen perfume, there are at least three prints in a set. Prints are signed on the back by Greg and or Roxana, depending on the image).

To be eligible to win a custom Illuminated art and perfume package of your choice please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Roxana's profile and your choice of scent (please include one  ingredient/note).  Draw ends July 18, 2012

Editor' Note: It has been quite some time since I have been in touch with Roxana. It was through  Tama Blough's  article The Sisterhood of the West Coast Speak Out! and her participation at the recent Artisan Fragrance Salon that we reconnected. When I last spoke with Roxana she was cooking fruit, as we had discussed creating a perfume that would be an homage to our mutual Argentine heritage. If you are intrigued by a scent dedicated to the native botanicals and culture of Buenos Aries, please leave that in your comment as well. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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49 comments

  • Janet in California says:

    What an interesting life Roxanna has led so far! From Argentina to LA, from sweat lodge to childbirth to… Fabulous!

    I would like Chaparral. As a native Californian I love the bay note.

  • I found it interesting that she recreated the cologne that her grandfather’s company produces, The scent i’m most interested in trying is Aumbre, with the resin and vanilla notes.

    I am also curious about a scent inspired by the botanicals and culture of Buenos Aries.!

  • The resin and vanilla in Aumbre sound delightful. And I love that Roxanna and I share the fascination with Frida Kahlo.

  • I have tried most of Roxana’s perfumes, and have bottles or solids of several. They really speak to me. I was not surprised to read that Roxana’s background is in art and illustration. Go to her blog and have a look at her look books. They are such beautiful little works of art. If you ever order anything from Roxana you will be blown away by the attention to detail and gorgeous packaging.

    I love GreenWitch in it’s liquid form and would be most happy to have the solid.

    Thank you for the draw.

  • Christy C says:

    I found the way she interweaves perfume, art, and myth fascinating. I would love the Greenwitch–I think the kelp and hawthorne notes sound fantastic! Very cool that its inspiration is the Susan Cooper book of the same name–this was a favorite book of mine.

  • I never heard of this perfumer before and now I am so excited to find a creative free spirit who also looks very much in love with her husband
    I love pre raphaelite artists like Rosetti
    Definitely would be interested on a perfume inspired by Buenos Aries it is Paris of South America and would also love to see it illustrated in the magic realistic style of Greg Spalenka
    Too Bee with honey and mead sounds yummy
    When I read the etsy page it noted that Roxana is a bee keeper
    Intrigued

  • I have always wanted to try Q, though Chapparal holds a romantic appeal as well. What I love about Roxana’s profile is really twofold: One, her American sense of herself in spite of her rich international history and awareness. Two, that her Americanness is connected to the more mystic aspects of the American spirit. Maybe it’s that mystical angle that joins her broad experience together.

  • I have a sense that Roxana might be Jewish. If she has any fragrance elements from that culture and if I win, I’d love to experience whatever she chooses. I loved her reminiscing about L’air du temps and if I win, I’d like To Bee due to the Sweet Clover essence that is in it.

  • I loved reading about Roxana’s rich artistic history and her journey to becoming the amazing natural perfumer she is. Her aesthetic is divine, so much thought and effort not only put into producing ethereal scents, but also the pure purpose behind her products and branding. I would love just one day watching Roxana at work in her studio :).

    I’ve always wanted to try GreenWitch, the use seaweed intrigues me!

    I’m also very interested to know more about the perfume centred around the botanicals/culture of Buenos Aries.

    My thanks for a wonderful article and insight into Roxana.

  • It’s interesting that she’s a visual artist as well — I love the drawing, above. I would love to try GreemWitch! The hawthorn note sounds really neat. Thanks for the draw.

  • I was really interested to hear about Roxana’s heritage in Argentina and her family’s perfumery heritage. I’d be most interested in trying Aurora. Thanks for the draw.

  • I found interesting that Roxana comes to perfume making from a visual arts background. I thought her comment, “It was at an Artists Workshop in Austria titled Old Masters, New Visions where I witnessed the divine interconnection between the visual arts and perfume. I decided to weave all my talents into a perfume business highlighted with the word “Illuminated” referencing the15th century when the arts were united by the use of raw plant matter.” was fascinating and that she’s attempting to blend to different media, the visual and the olfactory, into a single art.
    I would like to Greenwitch with it’s notes of Seaweed, Jasmine and Rose.
    I think a scent project involving the native botanicals and culture of Buenos Aries is a great idea.

  • I like the pic where all women are sitting on the beach and knitting. Funny, really. For me Greenwitch as well because of oakmoss.

  • Lisa Woodward says:

    I had the pleasure of meeting Roxana at the Fragrance Salon event in SF after years of reading her wonderful blog and being inspired by her beautiful scents. She was very gracious and her space at the event reflected her aesthetic perfectly.

    I would love to try her To Bee as I have been playing with honey notes, including the Sweet Clover Absolute she uses in To Bee. I would love to experience Roxana’s interpretation of a honey scent. She has her own bee hives and loves her bees…how could she not make a beautiful honey perfume.

    Thank you Tama and Michelyn for giving Roxana the exposure she so deserves.

  • Roxana is one of the first natural perfumers I ever ordered from (some samples last year!)! I’m fascinated and in full admiration of how much she puts art in every tiny bit of what she does! From her photos on her blog-journal to the small pink pot of solid samples…!
    I’d be interested in Aumbre, since I seem to be ever so fond of amber and tobacco!

  • I thought that was cute how her family had a special occasion perfume for the kids! My Niece just got her first perfume (which was a natural tea and flower scent from a hippee shop in her town she thought smelled pretty, and then another that smelled like cake in a rollar ball). I think its great to be able to start so young 🙂

    Her memories of European perfumes on special occasions sound like such lovely childhood memories.

    I would love to try to bee, with it’s mimosa, spices and honey!

  • Roxanna’s comment that resonated with me was that she liked the visionary and fantasy artists in Omni magazine. When I met my husband he subscribed to Omni and I used to read his copies. I had forgotten all about this magazine.
    I have read rave reviews of To Bee and would love the opportunity to try this honey fragrance!

  • I am fascinated by Roxanna’s Art so beautifully executed- when I see drawing like this I think of the early Botanists who travelled on the long voyages of Discovery and documented the flora and fauna of these new lands. A love of nature shines through, hence I imagine illumination…
    Greenwitch with kelp and hawthorne utterly intriguing and I’d love to try that.
    A perfume must be created reflecting the Argentinian hertage- Buenos Aires is not a place I have traveled to ..yet..so maybe a botanical in its honor will be a perfect introduction..perfume and tango..that’s a seductive dance!

  • Transformation and fragrance, who would have thought? Perfume might seem a transitory work. Yet Roxana couldn’t deny what amounted to a powerful spiritual experience. In this passion, a unifying theory. Roxana has been exploring the cross over with all of her arts and has brought about a smart considered articulation. The sustainability of living well. With thoughtful moments, where experience is honored, we improve the planet. With breath we care.
    To Bee

  • Beautiful article, wonderful work Roxanna! How wonderful to have a mother traveling and bringing you back so many fragrance gifts!!!! Indeed the story of the Colonia de Bebe is inspiring! Spraying childre with tuberose perfumed cologne is gorgeous idea!!!
    My favorite is To Bee with Resins, Wood, Spice, Mimosa, Sweet Clover Absolute and Beeswax Absolute
    Thank you for the draw!!!

  • Roxana’s love for myths, occult and especially nature translates into her perfume creations and that is no mean feat! I have read the progress on her bee preservation thus reflecting the creation of her To Bee perfume on her blog and her passion and commitmant for both her environment and work as a perfumer. My favourite creation of Roxana’s that I would love to win is Greenwitch: her version of traditional chypre with labdanum, oakmoss balancing out seaweed, jasmine and rose.
    Thank you for the draw

  • Roxana’s journey is an inspiration for all. By allowing experiences and individuals to guide her, she was able to continually see the connections between the plant world and her own life and understand how powerful the memory of fragrance can be. I feel from reading her profile that her fragrance combinations are intuitive and healing as well as beautifully composed.

    I’m partial to Aurora, because it is my name (Dawn) and it contains carnation, which reminds me of the flowers my grandfather would grow at the edge of the vegetable garden for me when I was a child.

    Thank you for the great story and the draw.

  • Queen Cupcake says:

    I just love the photo of a happy little chocolate covered Roxana! I knew she was an artist, but not that her art in the visual media cam before her perfumery art. I am fascinated by her epiphany in the sweat lodge. I also find her family history very interesting. I would love to win Vespertina!

  • Very interesting that Roxana’s grandfather’s company produced Colonia de Bebe (I wonder what his company was called?). I would love to be entered to win “To Bee” with its Sweet Clover absolute which I’ve never experienced. What a great idea to create a Buenos Aries-inspired perfume! Thanks so much for the draw and as always it’s so much fun to read about perfumer’s stories.
    Suzy

  • I always wondered why she called her line ‘Illuminated’, now I know. I haven’t tried Aurora, yet. I think I would choose that.

  • I’ve found interesting the fact about Colonia de Bebe, my mother used to drench himself when I was a child!

    I would love to try Aumbre, thanks for the draw

  • I loved the photos most, with the women knitting on the beach and the chocolate covered smiling younger Roxanna. GreenWitch sounds fascinating with the seaweed note. What a generous draw!

  • I have been wanting to try Roxanna’s perfume for some time. I really enjoyed this article. I especially liked learning that she raised her daughter completely naturally. Wish I knew then what I know now, I would have done things very different. I would love to win Aumbre and a note in this perfume is tobacco. Thank you for the draw.

  • Very inspiring article on one of the most nature loving perfumers around..her commitment to nature preservation and her passion for mystical arts and literature shows in her perfumes.
    I would love to win To Bee with notes of beeswax absolute,mimosa and resins…
    Thank you for this draw

  • Everything is fascinating about Roxana!I loved her description of her childhood being surrounded by women with a precious tradition in cooking, natural remedies. Her discovery of the shamanism and natural healing practices is also interesting. Her art is delightful.Thank you for the draw and I would love to win To Bee or Greenwitch . Notes for Greenwitch: galbanum, oakmoss, petitgrain, seaweed

  • I loved everything about the article! If I were to win, I would probably choose Chaparral, given that I like the scent of Larrea tridentata (sagebrush), which I assume is what is meant by the “sage” note.

  • TimeaZsofia says:

    I love this quote: “One of my regular monthly features was illustrating the fragrance column of Connoisseur Magazine; little did I know I would soon find myself in that industry.” and found fascinting, that she was interested in myth.
    I would choose “Aumbre” with vanilla note.

    Thank you for the draw.

  • lovely! I really like Roxana’s approach to the intersection of creativities in different fields, and especially the way she describes how she “witnessed the divine interconnection between the visual arts and perfume. I decided to weave all my talents into a perfume business highlighted with the word “Illuminated” referencing the15th century when the arts were united by the use of raw plant matter.”
    How she connects scent creation not only to childhood memories of family and sensory experiences but also to the spiritual dimension of the self and of other arts is particularly appealing to me.

    I would choose To Bee, which has the expected honey/beeswax and also sweet clover absolute. It sounds like it smells amazing, and I love bees!

  • It’s so hard to know where to begin…the whole article on Roxana is so fascinating! What a memoir she could write 🙂 I would love to hear more about the company her grandfather ran, where she began her scented journey, and I love that she recreated his company’s cologne. I’m so intrigued by her study of all things connected to the earth. What an incredible story she has! I would love to try Aurora if I win – the amber/jasmine/rose/spice/mandarin notes are simply calling out to me. 😀 Thank you!

    **I also would love to know more about this Argentinian scent in the works! My husband is Ecuadoran, and I have never visited South America, so I would love to have an idea of the “scent of the land” down there.

  • I liked this part of the article…One of my regular monthly features was illustrating the fragrance column of Connoisseur Magazine; little did I know I would soon find myself in that industry.

    My aunts and grandmother kept bees so I would love To Bee with the honey and mimosa

  • I love her family roots, that she was born in Buenos Aires into a family of European roots and that the women in her family wore beautiful fragrances from Europe. I was born and raised in Germany and was always thrilled with the wonderful European fragrances my mother and grandmother wore.
    Aurora would be my choice with notes of Amber accord, Jasmine, Rose, Spice and Mandarin. Thank you for the wonderful draw 🙂

  • FINALLY! it all comes together… Roxanna’s visual presentation of her perfumes is breath taking! i understand now how it has been a long brewing journey from pen to bottle.

    as she says, it is a “divine connection” which she and Greg perfectly express.

    thank you for the wonderful article and draw! i would love to experience Aurora with her amber accord. (this idea of a Buenos Aries botanicals based perfume is delightful as well!)

  • The juniper essential oil epiphany was interesting, as was the rest of the article!

    I would like to win Vespertina, which features rose.

    I love Buenos Aires, by the way. (-;

  • SmokeyToes says:

    Hi all,
    Roxana is one of my favorite perfumers, I wear several of her fragrances (Terrestre, GreenWitch, Vera). I’d always been intrigued by her artwork and knowing the origins of her inspiration was fascinating. It explains the organic yet European feel her background lends to her perfumes.
    Frida Kahlo is one of my absolute favorite artists.

    The scent I adore most from her line is GreenWitch, the mossy richness and salty impression are lovely and balanced; oakmoss and labdanum are two of my favorite notes in perfumery.

  • Michelle U says:

    Her olfactory memory is amazing!

    The fact that she could recreate “Colonia de Bebe” is just awesome. To recreate a perfume you smelled so many, many years ago, it’s a hard thing to do. She must have an amazing olfactory memory!

    To bee sound delicious with Mimosa and Beeswax.

  • I am also into art and perfumery and I admire her works and her down to earth personality. I would like to try To Bee with honey notes. Thanks for the draw!

  • It was interesting that she was inspired by Frida Kahlo. I would like to win To Bee with notes of Mimosa.

  • the story about how the scent of juniper berry triggered her later involvement with shamanism and aromatherapy that seem to be the driving force in her perfume composing is most interesting. One usually expects people to be fascinated with florals or rare and exotic materials, not the humble juniper.

    I would love to have a chance to test “to Bee” with its sweet clover, mimosa and beeswax absolute combo. I am familiar with the scent of bee hives and I would like to smell Roxana’s take on it

    and yes! I would be very much interested in an Argentina inspired perfume!

  • I found it interesting that Roxana did illustrations for the fragrance column of Connoisseur Magazine, before knowing she would be a part of the fragrance industry. I’m so intrigued by the idea of her perfume inspired by Argentina, but in the meantime Aumbre sounds right up my alley, with its notes of incense and tobacco. Thanks for the draw!

  • I knew that Roxana was an exquisite artist in the sense of smell, but I didn’t know that she was also so well versed in the visual realm as well! Her perfumes are always beautifully complex and detailed, yet subtle. They really transport you to another place. I’m sure the Argentinian inspired perfume would do so as well. I’ve always wanted to go to South America!

    I would love to try Vespertina – I’ve never been able to experience a rose perfume before and I’m sure Roxana’s perfume is a delight.

  • Amberosmanthus says:

    What a great interview. Roxana is a fascinating person. I love that she became interested in wellness and health and feels these are so intwined with the natural environment and its gifts.

    I would love to try GreenWitch with notes of Hawthorn and kelp, though to Bee is also hard to resist. I find it hard not to feel a strong personal connection to the fate of these humble alchemists. I’m also sure an Argentinian inspired perfume would be a beautiful journey.

  • What a wonderfull journey to the world of perfume. Greenwitch is one I always wanted to try. Thank you.

  • For me this was interesting “For special occasions the children of the family were all spritzed with a Neroli rich cologne, which I adored, called Colonia de Bebe.” Not many child is spritzed with cologne =D Wow. Actually the hole story was interesting. And love is allways interesting too <3

    I would like to try Aurora, it interested me because of the jasmine note.

  • Christy C says:

    I wanted to add that I am indeed intrigued by a scent dedicated to the native botanicals and culture of Buenos Aries. (My comment above read: I found the way she interweaves perfume, art, and myth fascinating. I would love the Greenwitch–I think the kelp and hawthorne notes sound fantastic! Very cool that its inspiration is the Susan Cooper book of the same name–this was a favorite book of mine.”)