The Sisterhood of the West Coast Speaks Out + Left Coast Perfumery Round Table Draw

The West Coast of North America is synonymous with liberal thinking (“the Left Coast” is an alternative moniker) and a populace of free spirits. The West, maybe because it was wild longer and settled later, is the place to run barefoot and let your hair down. This also rings true for the world of perfume. Dominated largely by women, with both small enterprises and large, there has risen a true Sisterhood of West Coast perfumery, many of whom work in the renegade natural perfume field as well as more traditional, but no less exciting, mixed media. I gathered a group of these women together virtually, by means of social networking, to ask them some questions about how they started and how they relate to each other. They were all very forthcoming about their work and relationships.

Many of the perfumers we spoke to have met. We were curious as to how they cultivate their friendships  and to what extent they had influenced or inspired each other:

Laurie Erickson (Sonoma Scent Studio): I read Mandy's (Aftel) book Essence and Alchemy right after it came out and was so excited to meet her years later. We're doing the current Letters To A Perfumer series on Nathan's blog, and I've really enjoyed working on it with Mandy. I had sampled her scents over the years and found many that I love, so it was truly awesome to meet her.

 

Roxana Villa (Roxana Illuminated Perfume):  I met Sarah Horowitz-Thran (Sarah Horowitz Perfumes) in (approx) 1992 when I was still a full time illustrator. It was at a holistic childcare event at the home of Gurmukh Khalsa in West Hollywood. During the break Sarah was sitting with an assortment of essences and perfumes. That was my very first introduction to niche perfumery.

  

 Ayala Sender (Ayala Moriel): I  I met Laurie Erickson in the flesh after so many years of exchanging emails, participating in joint blog projects and trading samples and ideas via snailmail. It was wonderful to visit Laurie at her own space and smell together raw materials, and discuss anything from collecting vintage bottles and tea cups to sourcing raw materials, packaging, etc. and very little details and solutions to problems that only perfumers worry about, and most interestingly – the creative process.

 

 

JoAnne Bassett (JoAnne Bassett Perfumes): I started as an aromatherapist, started Bassett Aromatherapy in 1993 and had purchased Jeanne Rose's herbal body book and her aromatherapy book, and joined NAHA. Then I took a class with Jeanne Rose in OR in April 1994. (Jeanne Rose: The Herbal Body Book -published in 1973 and a standard on the shelf of every NY editor for years; has sections on perfume and aromatherapy and it is still available.)

 

Nikki Sherritt (Rebel & Mercury Perfumes):  I have to mention Janna Sheehan of Trance Essence who I have had the pleasure of chatting with via Facebook and email. She is another West Coast perfumer who, not only, is talented and gracious, but inspires me.

Janna Sheehan (Trance Essence): Hello! I am here, thank you for including me Nikki Sherritt! I appreciate the reflection –– you are a love, always so positive and such a force in creating these interesting platforms for the niche perfumers  .

We wondered if the Perfumers bounce ideas off of each other or critique each other’s work, and also was interested in their thoughts about competitiveness and proprietary material:

Ellen Covey (Olympic Orchids): I've always worked on my perfumes by myself until the point where I think they're ready enough to send out to a group of people who provide feedback. … There's no question of trusting or not trusting because I really don't worry about people appropriating my ideas. Even if they were to do so, their interpretation would be very different from mine unless they have the complete, exact formula.

 

Yosh Han (YOSH): I have regular evaluators that I work with. But have shown the resulting finals before it gets manufactured with Ineke (Ruhland, Ineke Perfumes). She's got a keen eye and nose. … As far as appropriating ideas – there's more a kind of collective consciousness. I think sometimes I see similarities in the ingredients but then when you smell the perfume, it's so different – when something is hand crafted, you also smell the person's energy and vibration.

 Miriam Vareldzis (40Notes Perfume): I develop my fragrances from an inspiration and blend alone. The one thing I do, which is no doubt a carryover from my days within a fragrance house is smell my creations on other skin. Male or female, friends and family…. including my husband! All skin types. It shows me which notes are pushed and gives me a different perspective other than my own skin.

  Ragna Rostad-Ruffner (Divine Life Perfume):      I work pretty much solo on all my perfumes. I have a group of friends that give me feedback on new blends. It is so rewarding to see them become more knowledgeable and honest about their impressions over the years! I can't say that I make changes based on their impressions but it helps me perceive my creation in other ways.

 Maggie Mahoubian (Lalun Naturals):  I would love to have what I'm working on critiqued by other perfumers. I'm very familiar with that process through my architectural studies. However, for one reason or another I've been working in my own little cocoon heaven. Perhaps it's time to reach out.

 

Our final questions to them were: I want to know some of your dreams and aspirations – where do you want to go from here? What do you see happening in the sisterhood? Any trends you'd like to see come or go or be the catalyst for?

Jane Cate (A Wing & A Prayer):  Let's see, the pet answer is world peace. But seriously what I would like is that natural perfumery becomes the norm, rather than still on the fringe

.Yosh Han: I think in the future, we will see more cross disciplinary productions. More industrial designers and creatives will team up with perfumers and vice versa. We will see more aromatic advertisements and new dispersing technologies. Culinary and beverage crossings will continue to expand. I think that NICHE will gain wide appeal like partnerships with Target, H & M, Anthropologie and the like. I hope I can use my iPad/iPhone to show my perfumes in the future. I've seen some new technologies with chakra energies, sound and color vibrations already so I think scents/technology will come back around.

 

Mandy Aftel (Aftelier Perfumes): My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the "average person on the street" to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.

 

Ellen Covey: On a small scale, I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally "natural" to totally "synthetic"). We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.

 

Meredith Smith (Sweet Anthem): For me, I hope that there is better definition of what it means to be 'artisan' or 'independent'. I see so many brands these days touting the idea of handmade but still producing their merchandise in a factory, and it makes me sad.

 

Shelley Waddington (En Voyage Perfumes): I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.

I had an enormous amount of truly informative and heartfelt responses to my questions. The sheer love and camaraderie expressed by these women for each other and their craft was exceptional. Some of the dialogue between them in the course of answering my questions was open-hearted, "smooshie", and warm. Many of them proffered answers to my questions that were practically dissertations, and I am truly sorry that I can’t incorporate more of their generous outpourings into this article.

I am optimistic about the future of perfumery on the West Coast.   With the upcoming Artisan Fragrance Salon in July featuring many of the perfumers in this article) and a growing perfume enthusiast community, we will be a force to be reckoned with in the broader perfumed world.

We have some wonderful draw prizes to offer, generously donated by the following:

From Dr. Ellen Covey of Olympic Orchids: 15 ml bottle of Golden Cattleya

From Maggie Mahoubian of Lalun Naturals: Jar of Spring Blossom Moisturizer

From Shelley Waddington of En Voyage: Bar of luxury soap scented with Vents Ardents and Nectar de Iles.

From Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated: 1 dram of Chaparral Perfume

From Jeanne Rose: Kitchen Cosmetics Book

From Joanne Bassett: ½ oz bottle of Josephine EDP

From Miriam Vareldzis: 40 Notes Perfume Sampler

For our Draw: We’d love to know your thoughts on the sisterhood and your favorite quote, plus let us know which prize you would prefer, (if you have a preference). We will draw the winners on May 9, 2012 via random.org.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor and 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.

Leave a Reply

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

× 8 = 40

63 comments

  • My favorite quote was from Shelley Waddington, ” I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.”
    I would like to win Josephine. Thanks for the draw!

  • cheesegan says:

    We’d love to know your thoughts on he sisterhood and your favorite quote, plus let us know which prize you would prefer,

    I think it’s wonderful that there is such a spirit of camaraderie and support among these women. My favorite quote was Yosh Han: I think in the future, we will see more cross disciplinary productions. More industrial designers and creatives will team up with perfumers and vice versa. We will see more aromatic advertisements and new dispersing technologies

    If I won, I would chose Josephine.

  • Thanks so much for getting all of us together for a chat, Tama! It was a blast and I hope the salon in the summer is amazing — sooo wish I could get down there! xoxo

  • Teddy Oliver says:

    My favorite quote : Ellen Covey

    “On a small scale, I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”)”

    Any sample for me will be amazing. They sound so interesting.
    Thanks for the draw 🙂

  • Janet in California says:

    I feel very lucky to be on the left coast!

    My favorite quote is yours Tama. “The sheer love and camaraderie expressed by these women for each other and their craft was exceptional.”

    I would like the Chaparal perfume if I am the winner.

  • Love a statement Ellen Covey said “We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.” Great Sisterhood” I respect and am inspired by each of them. Tama awesome article.. Have a sample of my choice but would love : 15 ml bottle of Golden Cattleya.

  • Tama, I just have to meet some of these people in person (and you, of course!). One comment (of many) that struck me was Ragna’s about how it’s rewarding to see her testers “become more knowledgeable and honest about their impressions.” Also Mandy’s wish that her “writings and fragrances would wake up the average person on the street to be more in touch with their sense of smell.” This delight in the growth of others is, well, delightful! Prize? I’ve never tried a fragrance from Roxana, and Chaparral sounds amazing!

  • I liked this quote from Jane Cate: “…what I would like is that natural perfumery becomes the norm, rather than still on the fringe.”

    It’s great to see the solidarity among these women perfumers, who deserve recognition and respect. No mean girls here!

    I would be pleased to win any of the prizes mentioned.

  • My favorite quote came from Yosh where she states “I think that NICHE will gain wide appeal like partnerships with Target, H & M, Anthropologie and the like. ” I wholeheartedly agree. Retailers also want to differentiate their offerings and these exclusive partnerships keep the customers engaged and offer exposure to a broader audience.
    This is a great article. It’s wonderful to see so many perfumers involved. I would love to win the 40 notes sampler. Thanks for the draw.

  • As I read your article, Aretha Franklin’s “Sisters are Doin’ it for Themselves” popped into my head. That’s just what we’re doing here on the Left coast. Thank you for recognizing this Sisterhood which can only grow and flourish from here on, and thank you for including me.

  • Nicolai-R says:

    I liked the most, Shelley’s quote: “I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.” And I would like to win the soaps scented with Vents Ardents and Nectar des Iles.

    Thanks for the giveaway and this great article!

  • Fantastic article Tama. I loved the energy that you inspired in us while gathering the information for this piece. I’m super excited for the Artisan Fragrance Salon which you also helped inspire. So I feel certain that you’re part of the YaYa too. Thanks to you and Ca Fleure Bon for shining the light over here.

  • This is uplifting and inspiring,I wish I had more opportunities to try all these wonderful creations,I loved Mandy’s quote about “waking up the average person in the street to be more in touch with their sense of smell”!Would love to try Roxana Villa’s Chaparral,thanks for the draw!

  • Sorry for that, the comment posted too early!

    I always thought of perfumers as being kind of introverted, but I really enjoy this new type of sisterhood of perfumers that reach out to each other!

    My favorite quote is from Maggie, where she says that “I would love to have what I’m working on critiqued by other perfumers. I’m very familiar with that process through my architectural studies. However, for one reason or another I’ve been working in my own little cocoon heaven. Perhaps it’s time to reach out.”
    Perhaps it is time for all of us to reach out!

    My choice would be the 40 Notes Perfume Sampler

  • It’s wonderful to see perfumers coming together, chatting and inspiring one another. Perfume is an art, but it also a hobby and a passion that can create some strong bonds. I too have a ‘sisterhood’ of perfume friends (some male friends too), with whom I can discuss latest perfume releases and ask for their expert advice.
    I liked Jane Cate’s quote; “…seriously what I would like is that natural perfumery becomes the norm, rather than still on the fringe”. I agree completely. Niche, especially natural perfumery needs to be more open to the public.

    My choice would be Golden Cattleya by Olympic Orchids. I am so curious about this brand, and I love honey.

  • The sense of solidarity in spite of the lonely nature of perfume making between these lovely perfumers is great. My favourite quote would be from Mandy Aftel
    ” My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.”
    I would love to win JoAnne Bassett’s ‘Josephine’
    Thanks

  • Mandy Aftel’s quote is my favorite: “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics” . I believe getting in touch with your sense of smell, all the memories thai ti creates, all the experiences you connect to them is trully one of the greatest things!! Thank you for this article it is trully inspiring!!! Any gift from these talented women is welcome!! Thank you for the draw!!

  • Their friendship is inspiring and I think a very good thing on the long run. I wish them the best of luck in their perfume making and hope to be able to test their creations. My favorite quote is this “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.”.

    Thank u!

  • ringthing says:

    I really enjoyed this article; thanks to CaFleureBon featuring these perfumers. The enthusiasm & passion for their craft, and especially their appreciation for each other, really shines throughout this article. My favorite quote was from Ellen Covey, about doing away with politics on a small scale and recognizing that there is room for all choices in perfume making; all natural and all synthetic and all points in between, without judgement of how an artist chooses to express themselves.
    I would choose Golden Cattleya.

  • Laurentiu says:

    Great people, great quotes, really hard to pick only one. My favourite would be “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.” I hope she will succed because people really do not pay attention to this art.
    If I were to win, I would like to get Josephine. Thanks

  • I think it i so great that these women can all network and have camaraderie.

    My favorite quote was from Ellen Covey (of Olympic Orchids): “I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”).” Right On!!

    If I should be fortunate enough to win, I would love to try the 40Notes seven fragrance sample set (they all sound wonderful!) as I have yet to try any scents from them! 🙂

    I also want to thank Tama for her wonderful article and all the work she has put into it. Also thank you to all who gave gifts for the draw! You ladies rock…

  • noetic owl says:

    So fantastic to see these perfumers supporting and drawing inspiration from each other.

    Favorite quote:”what I would like is that natural perfumery become the norm”

    Would love to try spring blossom moisturizer-I am craving neroli and anything natural these days 🙂

    thanks for the draw!

  • I love Ellen’s cooment:

    “We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.”

    I so agree with her approach. I don’t see any difference if a compound is naturally extracted or created in a lab. The side effects are the same.

    The end result and the created beauty are more important. When you talk about art everything is acceptable.
    It reminds me of the way Impressionism was received initially.

    Josephine is beautiful but I would be happy with any prize.

    Great post! Thank you.

  • Cristina says:

    Favorite: Mandy Aftel’s “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.”

  • An inspired and original article, Tama & CaFleureBon!
    Many thanks for including me in this process for your patience and for telling the world about us 🙂

    BTW, my favorite quote is Tama’s: “The sheer love and camaraderie expressed by these women for each other and their craft was exceptional.”

  • Favorite quote is Shelley Waddington: “making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.”

    I would like the Josephine or the Golden Cattleya.

  • I liked this one ¨For me, I hope that there is better definition of what it means to be ‘artisan’ or ‘independent’. I see so many brands these days touting the idea of handmade but still producing their merchandise in a factory, and it makes me sad.¨ I feel the same way.
    I would like to win Josephine 🙂

  • What a wonderful roundtable discussion! I really appreciated Ellen Covey’s remark,

    “We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.”

    I would be delighted to win Golden Cattleya!

  • I give a hearty cheer to Ellen Covey’s remark: On a small scale, I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”). We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.

    Yes, this! Very much this. I’d be very interested in winning her Golden Cattleya.

  • What a wonderful and optimistic read Tama. It was a grand idea to do this article, and hugely enjoyable.

    Fav quote, Shelley W “I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.” Yes, I believe in small footprints too…

    So hard to choose, but I think Golden Cattleya sounds amazing.

    Thank you:-)

  • I used to be a loner, but I have discovered sisterhood in my life when I moved to the Left Coast (I also call it Wet Coast for the constant rain which enables more reflection and makes the oregonians the most well read ones in the nation ;))

    So I completely understand the concept of the sisterhood among the perfumers on the West Coast. Should I say that East Coasties, when faced with competition, are more likely to compete even stiffer (and compete themselves into heart attacks) and the West Coasties turn the competition into a collaboration? That is an oversimplification, I am sure.

    My favorite quote is from Ellen Covey:
    “I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”). We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.”

    And I would love to win a Golden Cattleya from her!
    Great article, great idea, Tama, a West Coast sister! 🙂

  • tomatefarcie says:

    so I’m on the Ellen Covey bandwagon. I like her quote “I really don’t worry about people appropriating my ideas.” Why waste energy on what you can’t control! So my choice would be the Golden Cattleya.

  • I’m a huge Sweet Anthem fan so I like M’s thoughts: I hope that there is better definition of what it means to be ‘artisan’ or ‘independent’.
    The definition is certainly changing as the internet boosts and molds it….

  • JordanWatters says:

    This is all very heartening, Sisterhoods are always inspiring to me. I especially love Mandy Aftel quote, “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.” Such a lovely sentiment! I would be delighted with any of the prizes, but I am particularly intrigued by Miriam Vareldzis’ 40 Notes Perfume Sampler.

  • I found this so interesting, almost like an oral history of modern West Coast perfumery. It’s wonderful that all of these women have such great working relationships. I’m most fascinated by Yosh Han’s remarks.

    As far as the prizes, I would be happy with any, but most happy with any of the perfumes. 🙂

  • Thank you Tama and a big thank you CaFleureBon for another article on the lives of perfumers and their beliefs.

    I also like the quote from Meredith Smith (Sweet Anthem): For me, I hope that there is better definition of what it means to be ‘artisan’ or ‘independent’. I see so many brands these days touting the idea of handmade but still producing their merchandise in a factory, and it makes me sad.

    This is so true..made in a factory in my mind is not artisan…by any stretch of the imagination…

    It is wonderful that the West Coast women perfumers can come together…

  • Wow! I think the sisterhood is awesome! As is this article–gave me the warm-fuzzies.
    Even without direct collaboration in the scent-composing process, there’s something about being in the whole creative group vibe environment…or maybe it’s something in the water.

    I really liked Yosh’s vision of the cross-disciplinary future, and Mandy Aftel’s too: “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.” I am really grateful for the internet communities and blogs and especially sample swaps and programs because it helped me grow and I know it helped many others as well.

    Thanks for the draw!
    Hard to choose… It’s a toss-up between Chaparral and Golden Cattelya (that sample set has been calling my name since the first feature I read about Olympic Orchids on this blog).
    I’d choose Chaparral.

  • Jane Cate had the most inspirational quote with, “what I would like is that natural perfumery becomes the norm, rather than still on the fringe.” If only more businesspersons thought that way.

    The 40 Notes Perfume Sampler looks great, thank you.

  • ineverwas says:

    Their sisterhood and unity are wonderful things and true values that all perfumers should adhere too. I found this article very interesting and an inspiration.
    My favorite quote is this from Yosh: “I think sometimes I see similarities in the ingredients but then when you smell the perfume, it’s so different – when something is hand crafted, you also smell the person’s energy and vibration.”

  • I like this one¨I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.¨

    Golden Cattleya

  • amberosmanthus says:

    My favorite quote was from Mandy Aftel (Aftelier Perfumes): My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.” I would love for more everyday people to branch out beyond fabric softener.

    I’d choose Chaparral, or the 40 note sampler. Thank you for such beautiful gifts!

  • Holly F. says:

    I love to read how these talented artists have inspired each other! Sisterhood is a beautiful thing. 🙂 My favorite quote from the lovely Shelley Waddington: “I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.” Amen to that. I’d love to win Golden Cattleya.

  • just breathe says:

    Favorite quote-“I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet…”
    I would love to win the En Voyage soaps.
    Thank you for the draw!

  • I loved Yosh’s commend, “I think that NICHE will gain wide appeal like partnerships with Target, H & M, Anthropologie and the like.” I could find Niche fabulousness at Target? Sign me up! In the meantime, I’d choose the 40Note sampler; they all sound lovely!

  • I think the response “I think sometimes I see similarities in the ingredients but then when you smell the perfume, it’s so different – when something is hand crafted, you also smell the person’s energy and vibration.” was a great one to the question about competitiveness and proprietary material. It is good to hear that there is appreciation of perfumery as an art by perfumers rather than have them simply see it as a dog eat dog sort of business.

    My top choice would be the Josephine EDP. and after that one, the Golden Cattleya.

  • Mostly I just loved hearing how they found eachother so inspirational. I’m also bummed that I didnt happen to meet Roxana and Sarah Horowitz at Gurumukh’s in LA! I went to that child rearing class once.
    I also love hearing Yosh Han’s view of the future of niche. I would LOVE to see it become more widely available to people and open them up to this fine world.
    I would love to win Josephine.

  • Thank you Shelley Waddington for trying to do your best as a perfumer and for minimizing your Earth footprint.

    I can imagine all these perfumers on a campout marveling at all the smells and scents (wood smoke, outdoor cooking, the musty scent of a tent or lean-to).

    I’d love to win the Envoyage soap 🙂

  • My favorite quote is from Mandy Aftel: “My long term interest is that my writings and fragrances would wake up the “average person on the street” to be more in touch with their sense of smell and the gorgeous world of natural aromatics.” I would love Josephine by JoAnne Bassett.

  • How inspiring and AWESOME this sisterhood is! I love that these women respect each other and yet work in this circle without competition.

    My favorite quote is:

    Ellen Covey: On a small scale, I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”). We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices.

    I would love to try the En Voyage soaps! Thank you 🙂

  • Tourbillion says:

    I like what Maggie Mahoubian said about critiques from her peers. I’d think that if you work alone with no input, how would you know if it will sell?

    I am really curious about Golden Cattleya, so that would be my choice if I won.

  • I loved how these women had inspired each other. Roxana Villa makes some of my favorite perfumes and i liked this quote about how she started,”During the break Sarah was sitting with an assortment of essences and perfumes. That was my very first introduction to niche perfumery.”
    I would choose Golden Cattleya.
    Thank you

  • I admire women in the sisterhood because all of them have been free to follow their dream and have become successful. They all are so creative and talented!

    This is my favorite quote:

    “We are all free to move among points along each relevant continuum at any time, and no one should be judged negatively because of their choice or choices”. (Ellen Covey)

    I’d like to win Golden Cattleya, but I think all prizes are great. Thanks!

  • It always warms my heart seeing women helping each other and not do things the other way around 🙂

    If I win I’m very curious to try the Miriam Vareldzis, 40 Notes Perfume Sampler

  • Sandra Mahboubian says:

    I’m the proud Mother of Maggie Mahboubian and have been using her natural products from the gitgo! Bravo this website. Maggie’s products are so delicious and fresh. I’m inspired to try some of the others now that I know about the sisterhood.

  • Jasmine Black says:

    This is a wonderful article. It feels great to support the perfume artisans and perfume artisans sisterhood of the West Coast.
    Memorable quote from the conversation? ” I really don’t worry about people appropriating my ideas. Even if they were to do so, their interpretation would be very different from mine.” ( Dr. Ellen Covey)
    I am intrigued by the Golden Cattleya orchid scent created by Dr. Ellen Covey.

  • Connor M says:

    i found the section about how various perfumers meet each other very interesting because for so long the world of perfumery seemed shrouded in secrecy, but in fact it’s a welcoming community of passionate and talkative individuals.

    if chosen, the orchid perfume, chaparral scent (one of my favorite biomes), or the sampler set ALL look amazing.

    thansk for the draw 🙂

  • I love that natural perfumery is so focused on harmony – both ethically aware and often creating such smooth, rounded scents. Ellen Covey’s comment sums this up perfectly. All the prizes look wonderful, but particularly Josephine.

  • “I hope I can use my iPad/iPhone to show my perfumes in the future. I’ve seen some new technologies with chakra energies, sound and color vibrations already so I think scents/technology will come back around.” by .Yosh is my favorite quote from the article. I keep imagining how cool that will be!

    I love the idea of the sisterhood and wish more industrys had it. To be able to be friends and feed each others creative process is amazing.

    If I won, I would love to either try Josephine or Chaparral.

  • Victoria Casey says:

    On a small scale, I would like to see the end of politics and factions in perfume-making, with recognition that everything can be represented along a continuum, and that we all fall at some point between the extremes (e.g., totally “natural” to totally “synthetic”). This was my favorite quote. If chosen I would like to try either Josephine or the 40 note sampler.

  • Tama, thank you so much for starting so many interesting conversations and making us all think about what it means to be a perfumer and what it means to be part of the larger perfume community. I was distracted by many things going on in my life and didn’t get around to reading this when it first came out, but I love how you put it all together!

  • Borko Boris says:

    Shelley’s quote I liked the most from this “sea” of quotes: “I wholeheartedly throw my own support towards making the tiniest possible footprint on our planet, the largest contribution possible to our profession, and collaborating with people who genuinely care.”

    If I were to win, I would love to get those lovely soaps from Shelley. Thanks