ÇaFleureBon Profiles In American Perfumery: Vincent of Dreamhouse “Ikiryō Perfumes + When A Sleepwalker Dreams Draw

vincent avery  Ikiryo perfumes

Vincent of Dreamhouse

Profile: I am from Berkeley, California.  As a little boy, I use to swipe sprays of my father's cologne and even my grandmother's perfume. As a teenager, my first scent I ever purchased was JHL.  My second was Paris by YSL…which gives you an idea of my range of taste…and that for the longest time I have not cared if the scent was masculine or feminine.  Around the same time that I purchased my first scent, I began designing clothes/costumes…and being proud enough to wear what I had designed/made, despite how crude they were.  However, I did not take it seriously as a potential career. 

john Galliano fall 2009

John Galliano 2009

It wasn't until 1997, picking up a Vogue magazine I saw at the fabric store I go to (to this day I still have that very magazine), flipping through it and realizing design is what I wanted to do with my life.  I began following designers such as Galliano, Mugler, Ungaro, Lagerfeld/Chanel and Gaultier as I wanted to be an haute couture designer.  My taste in fragrance was reawakened and I began collecting designer fragrances.  Among my favorite scents were Insensê, A-Men, the Dreamer, Santos de Cartier and Pour Lui.  But in the year 2000, the fashion industry, to me, became extremely sloppy and I lost interest in it, choosing to go back to my first love: costuming.

I began designing for a few opera companies in California, bringing what I had learned whilst following haute couture to my design.  In 2008, feeling I wasn't getting where I felt I should be, I decided to focus on my own works.  I started creating projects incorporating my design as well as my talents for photography and writing.  Because of my love for opera, the ability to be able to tell a story through my works became vital.  About two years ago, I became interested in purchasing Pure Malt, but didn't want to "blind buy" it.  I looked online for any review of it to help sway my decision.  I found a video on youtube by robes08.  Then another by a pair of men who I began watching religiously, the Fragrance Bros.  One day while watching one of their videos, I saw in the suggested column a video on how to make an eau de toilette.  I watched it several times and finally said to myself "I can do that"…!  I ordered a few ingredients and began experimenting.  Since then, I have been hooked with perfumery.

2-firsttwofragrances

I created two fragrances and sold them through a curio shop in San Francisco to celebrate Dia de los Muertos and Thanksgiving.  However, I had a much bigger picture in mind than just simple fragrance releases.

11-InspirationforRevesdePapillon

Inspiration for Rêves de Papillon was a pas de deux  from Broken Open; Vincent with dancers  Erin Yarbrough Powell and Robby Kretz

I had wanted for about 4 years to do a project based on sleepwalking…but I did not have an idea for mounting it.  Last year it finally came to me.  While watching the opening night performance of Smuin Ballet's "Broken Open", I was genuinely moved by a pas de deux performed by Erin Yarbrough Powell and Robby Kretz (and choreographed by Amy Seiwert)…so moved that in the midst of it, this question just popped into my head: "what does a man, truly in love, smell like…what would his essence be…?"  This question and the pas de deux made me extremely eager to get myself home.  Once I arrived, I spent the entire night formulating a fragrance based on what I saw and the question I asked myself.  By dawn, I had the basis of my creation, the answer to my question, the representation of my inspiration.  I dubbed it "Butterfly Dreams", because it reminded me of a soft and sensual heart flutter… something I visualized while watching the pas de deux.

 

 

Two days later, whilst walking home from the store and thinking of dreams, yet another question popped up into my head: "what does a sleepwalker dream of…?"  I immediately stopped to smell my wrist, which had the scent I created permeating from it.  I instantly had the revelation I had been seeking with regards to what I wanted to do with a project based on sleepwalking. 

3-revesdepapillon

"Rêves de Papillon"

Over the next several weeks I began formulating this project.  Titled "When a Sleepwalker Dreams", it initially incorporated 6 fragrances (now it will be an ongoing series), each having its own accompanying book (more like a graphic novel) which will have a visual reference of some sort to its respective scent. 

5-fauxeveil

"Faux Eveil"

For instance, in the case of the scent/book "Faux Eveil", the Dreamwalker waves a juju stick which emits a cardamom based fume/incense.  Each book will incorporate dreams/sleepwalking as well as references to the fragrances to tie the two mediums in to each other.  "Butterfly Dreams" was fine tuned a few times and was retitled "Rêves de Papillon".  The other scents/books released were "Faux Eveil", "Rêves Olfactif " and "Continuum".  "Lucidité"  was the next to be released followed by "Oneirogen"

8-lucidite

Lucidite

.My fragrance line is called “Ikiryō”.  I have always been into ghosts and the supernatural.  Initially, the name was going to be “Vengeance”…but there’s a Lady Vengeance somewhere out there (Juliette has a Gun).  That was quickly changed to “Ghost”…but it was quickly realized there was already a “Ghost” out there.  I then decided on “Fantôme” (French for “ghost”).  But as I began building my website, I realized “Fantôme” is too similar to “Lancôme”.  Back to the drawing board.  Doing some in-depth research, I came across this word “ikiryō” in some of my old notes.  A Japanese word, an ikiryō is a ghost of a living person.  I was immediately intrigued because to me scent is the equivalent of a ghost swirling about a person.  I finally found my name.

9

Vincent of Dreamhouse

On American Perfumery: Being an independent "American perfumer" further opens me to the rest of the world.

In Good Company by Daniel Merriam

In Good Company by Daniel Merriam

Favorite American artist: the only "American artist" to have a big impact on my creativity  Daniel Merriam.  Through his work, I have been able to fuse fantasy with reality.  His imagery has also influenced my embroidery on the costumes I design and make.

Vincent of Dreamhouse, Perfumer and founder of Ikiryo

7-revesolfactif

"Rêves Olfactif" 

Thanks to Vincent we have a draw for our US and Canadian Registered Readers (YOU MUST DO THIS FOLKS) for their choice of the new Oneirogen, Rêves de Papillon  Faux Eveil Continuum Rêves Olfactif or Lucidité  which are accompanied by a paperback book OR a sample set of all six (no book). To be eligible please leave a comment with what you found fascinating (that should not be difficult; this concept is spectacular) about Vincent’s path to perfumery and which perfume you would like to win. Draw closes 4/18/2016

vincent dreamhouse withmodelNixonSixxandSebastianJara

Vincent of Dreamhouse with model Nixon Sixx and Sebastian Jara Looking Feeling Smelling Great and CaFleureBon Contributor at Tigerlily in San Francisco

Editor’s Note: Contributor Sebastian Jara   interviewed Vincent and did reviews of Continuum and Reves de Papillon here

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

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

+ 26 = 33

22 comments

  • Lillyholloway says:

    That was a very interesting interview. The idea of the essence of a man in love and the scent of a ghost are some of the more original inspirations I’ve heard in a while. I’m dying to try these. I live in the US.

  • I very much was fascinated reading the paragraph of Vincent’s quest for name for his fragrance line. 🙂 I would like to choose the sample set. TY. usa

  • The creativity that Vincent shows, spilling out into so many areas, is amazing. His website is very interesting and the concept for his perfumes is probably the most unusual that I’ve ever heard. What do sleepwalers dream of? Who can imagine ideas such as this? Reading the list of notes in each perfume I am totally stumped as to what they might smell like so I would go for the sampler if I won. USA. Thanks for a very interesting story.

  • Diana Devlin says:

    I loved Sebastian’s interview with Vincent last month. Vincent is an incredibly interesting perfumer! And there’s something about his bottle design that makes me think of steampunk.I love that all of his scents incorporate incense notes. I would love to win one of his fragrances because I love heavily spicy fragrances (I own 2 different limited edition Laura Mercier fragrances that are dense, spicy perfumes – Minuit Enchante and Nuits Enchantee. It’s a tough choice to pick just one scent. But I really love the bottle so I would want the full size and not the sample set. I would select Continuum.
    I live in the U.S

  • What a unique start to fragrance, and such a complex inspiration for this line of fragrances! What *does* a sleep walker dream of? And Ikiryo, a ghost of a living person – such an awesome concept. I love that there is a word for that in Japanese. Thanks for this lovely draw. So many of these scents sound truly fascinating, particularly Oneirogen and Reves Olfactif. I guess I would like the latter, but it’s so difficult to decide! Thanks for this draw, I’m in the US.

  • pursejunkie says:

    What I found fascinating about Vincent’s path to perfumery is that it’s so recent and so relatable. I would love to try his samples set, as they all look like things I would potentially enjoy.
    U.S.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Vincent. indeed, has had quite an interesting journey so far. When I watched Sebastian’s interview with him, I did notice Vincent has quite independent fashion tastes and is not afraid to stand out from the crowd. No wonder he was inspired by fashion designers like Galliano. Vincent also comes across as a passionate guy who does whenever he has a yearning for something as his career in costuming and now perfumery indicates, The list of perfumes Vincent acquired early in his perfumery journey is quite impressive such as JHL and then Insense, Dreamer etc.

    thanks a lot for the generous draw. My choice would be Rêves de Papillon. I am in the US

  • DNEM, but oh my gosh, this is SO CaFleureBon, everything from fashion, to fragrance, the supernatural, the incredibly artistic aspect to Vincent’s designs, the books, the opera…wow.

    Vincent is crazy talented and creative.

    And I adore his style, especially his waistcoats and cravats!

  • MikasMinion says:

    I have read this post carefully four times and waited overnight to comment because I wanted to give it a chance to sink in. I can’t possibly choose either a single perfume to sample or a single thing that was fascinating about this profile.
    I adore the entire idea behind this line. The visual concept is flawless and Vincent’s background is just amazing. It’s so much fun when a really over-the-top creative soul releases a perfume.
    I’m in the US and would love to have the sampler. Thank you!

  • Wayne Hollander says:

    What I found fascinating – what didn’t I find fascinating? I am most enthralled by the coming together of so many different mediums…..perfume, costume, dance, graphic novel…..what a mind! I saw his sit-down with Sebastian recently, great fun. I love the whole concept. I would choose Faux Eveil (although they ALL sound fantastic). Thank for the chance!

  • I thoroughly enjoyed this article on Vincent! I’m so impressed with his love for fashion and fragrance and his journey to make fragrances. He’s very talented with costuming, writing, and fragrance…….my 3 loves. It’s amazing that these two ideas just popped up: “what does a man, truly in love, smell like…what would his essence be…?” and “what does a sleepwalker dream of…?” and he makes fragrances and graphic novels out of this. There are no coincidences in life. My choice is Continuum and I live in the US! Thanks for a great draw and for introducing us to a wonderful new talent! 🙂

  • Lellabelle says:

    “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

    Shakespeare is so perfect for this house, and the Tempest seems the perfect setting for Dreamhouse scents. I love Vincent’s theatrical style, and perfume journey. I have read and reread this post several times, and it makes me want to put on a play with every actor dressed in Vincent’s costumes and perfumes. Feeling very inspired: thank you for this gift.

    “Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,
    Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
    Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
    Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
    That, if I then had waked after long sleep
    Will make me sleep again; and then in dreaming
    The clouds methought would open and show riches
    Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked
    I cried to dream again” (III.ii.130–138).

    For myself, I would choose Faux Eveil. I would love to choose the sampler, but the lure of the companion book is too great. Please enter me for the draw. Canada for preference.

  • You are so right, there was not a thing in this article that I didn’t find facinating! From the concept, to the artwork, to the scents, and even Vincent himself, everything is absolutely captivating and left me wanting more. I have now explored every inch of the Dreamhouse/Ikiryo website, liked the Facebook page, and watched both Sebastian’s and Redolessence’s videos on the perfumes. This line and its creator just seem to speak to me and I am completely enchanted! Although I would love to try all the perfumes through a sample set, I cannot pass up the chance for one of the drop dead gorgeous bottles and its accompanying book, therefore if I was to win the draw I would choose Oneirogen. A decision based solely on season because once again, they all seem facinating to me! Thank you and Vincent for introducing me to this line, and for this generous draw. I am in the US.

  • Certainly a novel concept. I read about all the scents off article and by the notes all seem quite unique. Whatever that artwork is above for the Lucidite it’s very unsettling to me. For this draw I’d love to have the bottle of Rêves de Papillon with book. USA

  • Vincent’s evolving passion for costuming, opera, and perfumery has the feeling of a dramatic, dream-like narrative arc filled with layers of mood and meaning. I imagine the fragrances he has created are equally rich in depth and feeling. I would love to try Rêves Olfactif. I am in the US. Thank you to Vincent and CaFleureBon for the revealing profile and arresting visual art.

  • There is such a close tie between fashion and fragrance. It seems that many aesthetes end up being drawn towards scent after exploring the visual side. I had a very similar experience. Very cool concept for a perfume line! I love the idea of a smellscape to waking dreams (and perfect name choice too).

    I live in Canada and would love to win the sample set.

  • “The ghost of a living person.” What an amazing concept and a fascinating artist. I hope to hear more about Vincent of Dreamhouse and would like to try his sampler set. I live in the US.

  • Wow this house sounds fantastic. I love the concept of the books and the stories that come with the fragrances. What works of art the are! I will definitely check this house out in the future. My choice would be Rêves de Papillon. Thanks for the draw and I’m in Canada

  • Brilliant concept. Very nice to see something very diferent and artistic. The history behind each fragrance is the best part. Rêves de Papillon sounds the best fragrance of the collection to my nose.
    I’m in the USA

  • Santa Batistini says:

    Wow great review. The first time I saw something about this brand was in Sebastians’s youtube channel. Vincent has great ideas e seems that he is gound in the right way. The cocept of fragrances based on dreams is an inovation in my opinion. I would love to try Rêves de Papillon.
    From U.S. Thank you

  • What a unique and fascinating concept. I have never heard of this brand, but I love them. I applaud you for being true to yourself.

    My choice is Reves de Papillon.

    I’m a Canadian reader

  • I never heard about this brand before but it sounds very good. I love the bottle reminds Viktor and Rolf Antidote bottle. I would love to try the samples or a bottle Rêves de Papillon. Very gotic concept.
    USA