CaFleureBon Profiles in Perfumery: Mario T. Gomez of Mario Tomas Perfumes + From Olfactory Ambassador to Olfactive Artist Draw

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Mario T.Gomez of Mario Tomas at the 3rd Annual Taste TV San Francisco Artisan Fragrance Salon

I met Mario when he was working at Barneys  New York  in San Francsico and liked his enthusiasm and cheerful personality. He was always on hand when I had one of my SF Sniff events to assist Yosh Han or show us the lines he was representing. Eventually we found some time to have dinner and get to know each other, and a friendship was forged. Recently, at the 3rd Annual San Francisco Artisan Fragrance Salon, I had the honor of helping Mario launch his Mario Tomas perfume line, which garnered much praise, and rightfully so. I am happy to call Mario a friend as he makes his way into the world of making perfume. – Tama Blough, Managing Editor

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Mario with his Mother in Mexico (2013)

Profile:  When Michelyn asked me to write this, I was flattered and a little nervous.  I attempted to sit down and write but had a hard time fitting into my new title, American Perfumer.  Some of you know  me as an Olfactive Ambassador,  a title I had no trouble jumping into. Maybe you have seen my reviews posted on Fragrantica  (where I 'met' Michelyn who was an Editor for them at the time) or read my articles here on CaFleureBon as Contributing Writer.  Now I am ready to continue on  my path as an  American Olfactive Artist.  I had a rich childhood traveling frequently between Oklahoma City and Mexico City. Growing up I struggled to figure out whether I was American or Mexican. The one thing I felt comfortable with was exploring anything olfactory, it kept me centered.  I remember sneaking into my uncles’ rooms to try on their fragrances.  I also remember fighting over the Maja soaps black wrapping paper with my sister. I remember being one of the few, if not only boys in 8th grade wearing an imported fragrance.  It was not until a couple of years later that one of my aunts took me shopping at Cartier for my first luxury fragrance. This was truly the beginning of my journey to becoming a perfumista, a title I had no problem identifying with.  This passion helped me to get one of my earliest jobs behind a fragrance counter at a fine department  store, Sanger Harris.

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Mario T. Gomez, Olfactory Ambassador with Yosh Han of Yosh Olfactory Senses (2013) at Tiger Lily Perfumery in San Francisco

It was not until many years later that I would move to the Bay Area and be introduced to niche fragrances.  As my interest continued to grow I took a perfume making workshop from a local perfumer named Yosh Han. I ended up taking several workshops from her and then began as her assistant some time after. It was Yosh Han who dubbed me Olfactory Ambassador, a name that resonated with me and became my identity as she continued to mentor me.  

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On American Perfumery:  As I grew into my role as Olfactory Ambassador, I began to meet many American Perfumers; they were a group of individuals who shared the same passions about the beauty of perfumes at  San Francisco Sniff, led by CaFleureBon Managing Editor Tama Blough. The community here has been so welcoming and supportive.  As I began blending my creations I was still acting as Ambassador to many lines: Carthusia, Nasomatto, Blood Concept, Yosh Olfactory Senses, DelRae Roth of Parfums Delrae, Christi Meshell of  House of Matriarch and Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes.  It was at the 1st Taste TV San Francisco Artisan Fragrance Salon where I assisted Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes,  that another relationship  would blossom into mentorship and friendship  and that would move me from interest to action. It was this group of perfume enthusiasts and perfumers with whom I would become closer as I continued to explore my creating my own scents.  Years passed and I continued my role as Olfactory Ambassador, everyone accepting my role in this community of perfume lovers.  

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Mario Tomas Fragrances

It was the nudge and project planning of Michael Coyle (Mik Moi) that got me to the 3rd San Francisco Artisan Fragrance Salon as a Perfumer, I still feel I have not earned the title as I have not been classically trained, but thanks to the amazing help of truly talented perfumers I feel I am able to create fragrances that people will truly enjoy, and that express my personality and passion. American perfumery is about sharing and community and so many   perfumers have been and are willing to help this budding perfumer make his entry. It is so refreshing to see this old fashion American value of giving someone else a hand up still being practiced. As an American Perfumer, I am an artisan, like my mentors and I create small batches of fragrances by hand. They are inspired by dreams, memories of loved ones and special moments in my life.  I follow my instincts and that leads to an organic development process.

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"I Can See the Whole Room and There's Nobody In It" by Roy Lichestein; Duran Duran album cover art by Patrick Nagel

Favorite American Artist: The American Artists Roy Lichtenstein and  Patrick Nagel really move me. Roy’s lithograph of “I can see the whole room …and there’s nobody in it!” was one of the first art pieces I ever purchased.  I love the simplicity of his use of colors.   Then after seeing  Duran Duran’s Rio album cover, I became fascinated with Patrick Nagel’s alabaster skinned characters and his paintings of Latina Women.

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Thanks to Mario T. Gomez of Mario Tomas we have a draw for three USA readers for a 2ml spray sampler discovery kit of his three perfumes, El Poeta, Corazon Blanco and Lo Mejor de Mi #1, (the website isn't fully operational yet, so the links  above are to our reviews of all three).  To be eligible, leave a comment about something fascinating you learned about  Mario T. Gomez and which perfume might appeal to you from his debut trio. Draw closes July 2, 2014

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook 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 wil be just spilled perfume


 

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20 comments

  • Laurels says:

    I got to talk to Mario Gomez and smell all three perfumes at Fragments 2014, and he and his perfumes were lovely. My favorite was Corazon Blanco, with its caramel note that wasn’t apparent on a card, but which bloomed on the skin. I didn’t know until reading this article that he’d been mentored by three different artisan perfumers. I hope he finds great success with his new line!

  • Ferris Ègoïste says:

    I never knew Mario worked at Barney NY. And he likens Patrick Nagels artwork. I think I would like Corazon Blanco. I’m a US reader. Thanks for the draw

  • Suzinn says:

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mario at the last SF Fragrance Salon. He is a charming and kind person and his work is very beautiful and full of meaning. I think he is being modest about not wanting to be called a perfumer but I also love the title of American Olfactive Artist! Lo Mejor de Mi #1 appeals to me as I prepare for a trip to the humid east coast.
    In the US. Thank you!

  • Nemo says:

    I didn’t know you could be an Olfactive Ambassador 🙂 That sounds like a wonderful job. Also, I am very curious what he ended up getting at Cartier when he was a teenager! I would love to try El Poeta, I am in the US, thank yoU!

  • Maya says:

    I thought it was interesting that Mario struggled with whether he was Mexican or American. I would say – be both. I would most like to try Corazon Blanco. The “white heart” notes I love, the rest, not so much which is exactly why I want to try it. I have found a few gems that way.

  • Sandi L says:

    I loved learning how Mario’s title “Olfactory Ambassador” started at such a young age and took years to get his title. Kudo’s to Mik Moi for giving you the nudge of the cliff to find your wings Mario. Corazan Blanco would be my choice, I am in the US.

  • ringthing says:

    Mario’s honesty and enthusiasm are delightful and no doubt those qualities led to his title of Olfactive Ambassador. How great to have such talented perfumers as mentors! El Poeta, with it’s “magical sillage” intrigues me the most. Thanks for another awesome draw.

  • Mary E. says:

    Marvelous interview and I love Mario’s three new perfumes which are each so different from one another & equally joyous.

  • Nancy Knows says:

    What a great profile. Mario, I enjoyed learning that you used fragrance to combat feelings of not really knowing where you belonged. Congratulations on your exciting new role as a perfumer. I would love to try El Poeta because I’m still searching for the “me” fragrance with tobacco as a note.

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    I got a kick out if Mario sharing his memory of fighting with his sisters for the soap wrapping paper if I were to win I’d choose the Lo Mejor de Mi which sounds lovely. I live in the US.

  • Patty P. says:

    I’ll go for El Poeta to try first. Going to Cartier to buy his first perfume with his aunt must have been a great day. 🙂
    USA

  • Steve A says:

    I would like to try the Lo Mejor de Mi #1 because of all the citrus notes. Fascinating to be one of the few 8th grade boys to wear fragrance.
    U.S.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    Lot of interesting facts such as being taught and mentored by Yosh Han and representing many niche fragrances including Yosh han and DelRae..Since i went to school at University of Oklahoma which is close to Oklahoma City so mention of OKC also came as a pleasant surprise..good Mario finally has his own line… for this generous draw, I am interested in Corazon Blanco because it is like a tribute to Mario’s homeland Mexico. I am in the US. Btw, Mario Mexico played well in the FIFA World Cup but it was not their day yesterday 🙁

  • Mariotgomez says:

    Tama, thank you for the lovely introduction.

    Nemo, I ended up with Santos de Cartier. A fragrance which I continue to wear and replenish when empty.

    Thank you everyone for all the kind words.
    M

  • Cynthia says:

    I like the generosity of the perfumers in the perfume community who mentored and shared their knowledge with Mario. I think Corazon Blanco sounds interesting. I have not sampled any of these perfumes yet. I am in the US.

  • Valentine girl says:

    I was interested in Mario’s mention of his struggle with his cultural & ethnic identity when he was younger & how his olfactory experiences kept him centered. I believe I remember reading in a previous post that Corazon Blanco was Mario’s aromatic tribute to his heritage & family. I would love to try Corazon Blanco, as an American perfumer evoking the fragrant memories of his Mexican culture and ancestral homeland sounds appealing. And so does the tequila, lime, gardenia, hazelnut, caramel, cinnamon,and sandalwood! US resident.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    The plain and simple truth of “create what you love” speaks to Mario’s individuality and I found it fascinating that his curiosity led him to be a self-taught fragrance creator. Corazon Blanco speaks to me of the best of the Sonoran desert that I live in and love. I follow on Facebook.

  • Holly F. says:

    Mario’s role as Olfactory Ambassador suits him well! It’s amazing how many other talented perfumers he has worked with, too. El Poeta really appeals to me, I haven’t yet but would love to try these. Thanks! I’m in the U.S.

  • SAntonio says:

    Like Mario, I’m a big Pat Nagel fan! Mario’s Corazon Blanco sounds incredible. I reside in the US.