Profile: I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and since my early years in South Africa I have always had an affinity for all things “Scentsory’ – music, art, dance, theater, literature and of course fragrance. I remember taking school trips to the Game Reserve and the wonderful aromas of the red hot dusty earth amidst the sparse dried bush sprinkled with the fresh smells of the early morning dew are still in my memory, many years later.
Sue's mother Grace
My late mom was an amazing artist and calligraphist and she instilled in me a love of the arts. She loved painting images from nature and her influence on me was profound. Many of the paintings she created were themed around flowers, herbs and South African landscapes. Many of those ingredients remind me of my days in South Africa. I studied singing and then went to the University of Cape Town to study acting.
Sue age 10 with her mom in South Africa
I came to NY and my career took a different trajectory. I joined Elizabeth Arden and, learned about Fragrance from the base up from perfumers and experts. I became the National Trainer for the Fine Fragrance Dept., and travelled around the country setting up training schools and delivering the fragrance message and sales training tips to beauty consultants behind the Fragrance counters, about the magic and mystery of fragrance.
Limired Edition Tiffany vintage bottle
After two years of intense traveling around the country I was promoted to product development and color cosmetics and then into marketing for Elizabeth Arden. Later, I headed to Lancôme as Marketing Director for Fragrance and Men’s Treatment and initiated the fragrance development for Tresor, and was excited to receive a call to interview for the VP Fragrance position at TIFFANY to create and launch the Tiffany perfume. One of my most treasured possessions is the Tiffany fragrance bottle in which we embedded a diamond in the bottle to celebrate the launch of the Tiffany Perfume.
Jaques Polge of CHANEL, the Cormandel screen at 31 Rue Cambon
When I was developing the Tiffany fragrance, I was honored to work with Jacques Polge of Chanel He took me to the private atelier of Madame Chanel and I saw the beautiful Coromondel screens and all her artifacts when have been left intact all these years. What a treat.When my daughter was born, I left Tiffany &Co and formed my own consulting company, Scenterprises™ ,and was thrilled to develop fragrance brands for Burberry, Trish McEvoy, Avon, Diane Von Furstenberg and others. Everything I had learned at Arden, Lancôme and Tiffany came to the forefront, and throughout my travels, I am also inspired by innovative ingredients and have worked with wonderful perfumers.
Blending oils at the Scentarium
On American Perfumery: I love the innovation of perfumery from Niche brands who are daring enough to take bold new steps. Many of the independent perfumers don’t rely on focus groups, to the extent that large corporations require, and as a result their creations are innovative and new. I am a fragrance designer and work with wonderful perfumers in order to create a Bespoke Scent experience for people wanting a signature scent.
Jamie Foxx – citruses and Sandalwood
Favorite American Artist: Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with the actor Jamie Foxx who is a true American artist and such a talent; he is an amazing singer and an Academy awarding winning actor (for his role in Ray 2005). He was gracious, delightful and he created a wonderful Custom Fragrance with us; Mr. Foxx bespoke scent was complex highlighting sparkling green citrus top notes and creamy sandalwood base.
Sue Phillips, President, n a Inc and founder of The Scentarium
Actress Katie Holmes, Suri and Sue
Sue Phillips is offering a half hour personalized phone consultaion and your own bespoke fragrance to a lucky USA CaFleureBon reader or if you live (or plan to travel to New York City) you can meet Sue in person for a more extended consultation and fragrance. Katie Holmes just stopped by today and created her own personal scent and one for her daughter Suri . To eligible please leave a comment with what you find fascinating about Sue Phillips, Draw closes 3/16/2015
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