Jessica Dunne
Profile: My love of perfume started at an early age, and some of my earliest memories involve scents. I remember the moment I walked into my house after being away, the scent of home was incredibly comforting. Whenever I could, I would join my mother in her bedroom while she was getting ready for a night out with my father. I vividly remember sitting on her bed, and watching her get dressed, put her makeup on, and then finish with a dab of her perfume. I was overwhelmed by her beauty and grace.
As a child, I crushed flowers and berries found in my back yard, mixed them with water, and saved them in Dixie cups in an effort to create my own signature scent. They never quite lived up to my expectations, but I never lost hope, and always felt like the perfect batch was right around the corner. I would often sell my concoctions along with lemonade to passing neighbors.
As I review my family history, there are themes of creative energy through the generations. Memories of my elegant grandmother Eleanor (Ellie) have been a big influence. She was a passionate perfume lover and amassed a lovely collection over the years. Each scent evoked a different kind of feeling for me, and although I didn’t know the names of her fragrances at the time, I was able to differentiate between her ‘night out ‘scent, her ‘casual beach’ scent and her ‘special event’ scent. I also have powerful memories of her dressing table with her silver handled vanity set and her silver tray full of beautiful perfume bottles. I always felt that there was something very alluring and mysterious about their delicate beauty. These memories influenced the aesthetic decisions I made along the way – from the vintage-inspired bottle, to the graphic elements that became a part of the packaging.
My grandmother, Ellie, was an artist who painted in watercolor, acrylics and oils, and taught painting in her spare time. She exuded creativity in all areas of her life. She was an avid antiques collector and traveler, and her home was filled with remarkable pieces that always had an interesting history. She was diminutive, but she ate with gusto, and entertained effortlessly. My father can still recount the gourmet meals that she created every night in his childhood, and I have similar memories of elegant tables set to perfection and lavish meals from my own visits. When I make one of my grandmother’s signature dishes or smell my mother’s perfume as someone passes by, I am transported back in time. I love the spell that scent casts over us, and I’m fascinated with the idea of translating memories into scent.
Perfumer and Contributor to CaFleureBon Michel Roudnitska
My love of perfume became a hobby, and after college I worked in Investment Banking, then went back to graduate school and worked in the American Art Gallery in New York. My passion for perfume was always present and I often felt the urge to go out on my own to create the fragrances I had attempted to construct in my childhood. I was passionate about my vision, but I knew that I needed the expertise of a perfumer to help me bring my ideas to life. I could not have been more thrilled to work with Michel Roudnitska. During our collaboration, I continued to go back to those magical moments in time with my mother and grandmother in an effort to capture their beauty. Michel was incredibly adept at interpreting my ideas, and translating them into reality.
Jessica's mother Genny Dunne holding her as an infant
On American Perfumery: For as long as I can remember, my parents supported my interests, no matter how disparate. As a young adult, they encouraged me to travel, to conquer my fears and to take calculated risks. I always felt that the world was full of possibilities, and as long as I worked hard, and was passionate about what I was doing, I could accomplish anything. These early influences shaped the evolution of my career.
Alice Neel "Harley"
I wrote my graduate thesis on Alice Neel, focusing on her portraits of pregnancy and motherhood. She beautifully captured the fear and vulnerability present in the mothers and pregnant women she painted. She also painted wonderful portraits of art-world luminaries such as Andy Warhol, gallery owners, writers and activists, as well as many members of her own family. I’ve always found portraits fascinating. One of my favorite works by Neel is a portrait of her son, Hartley.
–Jessica Dunne, Founder of Ellie D. Perfume
I named the draw Portrait of a Lady in tribute to Jessica's grandmother Eleanor as well as to Jessica Dunne herself. Jessica is offering a reader's choice of either Ellie or Ellie Nuit in the pure parfum 15 ml $180. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you learned about Jessica and your choice of fragrance. Draw ends April 11, 2012
–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 spilt perfume.