ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Terees Western of FragranTed + GENTEIL fragrances DRAW

July 3, 2020July 13, 2020

Terees Western of FragranTed

244 years of America’s independence is what this July 4, 2020 holiday symbolizes. Even among current pandemic, racial and social upheavals – our modern-day revolutions; I still pursue freedom, have an American story and celebrate being an American Perfumer.

Terees Western of FragranTed next to her perfumer’s organ photo ©@idarrenclark

Profile: My story represents principles of heritage, vision, persistence and faith in creating freedom for yourself and others by doing what you’re born to do. I am Southern born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Midwest raised primarily in Detroit, Michigan where I still reside. I am the 5th generation in my family educated at a Master’s degree or higher. I am a descendant of the Alabama Alstork family whose ancestors were from a Free People of Color Community in Albemarle, Virginia.

Bishop John Wesley Alstork D.D. LL. D – Terees Western’s Great-Great Uncle

My Great-Great Uncle, Bishop John Wesley Alstork D.D. LL. D and my Great-Great Grandfather Rev. Dr. Alphonso Alstork established a historical Black college in Alabama, Lomax-Hannon College and were national leaders in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination movement in the late 1800s through mid1900s.

Alstork Family c. 1890 – Terees Western’s Great-Great Grandfather and his children, her Great Grandmother and Great-Great Uncles

I was very blessed to know and have relationships with my paternal great-grandparents and both of my paternal and maternal grandparents. Both of my Grandfathers were business owners/entrepreneurs. As an only child, my parents made it a priority for me to know my Southern heritage and roots. Yearly as a family, we would drive to Alabama and spend every Christmas and sometimes July 4th holidays with my great-grandparents and grandparents. I remember the smells of spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, sassafras, vanilla and spirits – bourbon, sherry wine, and scotch. Those flavors were used by my Grandmothers to bake delicious desserts during our holiday visits and poured in cocktails served in crystal tumblers and cordial glasses that the adults would sip as they sat around telling stories and catching up on each other’s lives. Those smells and events lovingly shaped my early fascination with flavors and fragrance. I can close my eyes now and still remember the smell of their houses.

Terees Western of FragranTed dyeing Easter Eggs, a favorite annual activity with her Father watching on

I had a very loving and creative childhood. I loved school and had a fond interest in learning. As an only child, I entertained myself – I played full games of monopoly all by myself, did puzzles, read constantly, made arts and crafts projects – coloring, whimsey dip, pottery, decoupage and wrote stories and songs. I had neighborhood friends that I played with, yet I was very happy being at home doing creative activities, eating my mother’s lovingly prepared gourmet meals, eaten at a stylish table setting, while hearing my parents discuss their day, news events and history.

Terees Western showing her art at a Chrysler Elementary school exhibit

FragranTed is founded to educate on the art and culture of perfumery. As a child, my parents exposed me to the Arts, either by visiting museums, attending lectures, traveling to New York City for Broadway shows or just being in the house listening to music.

Terees Western with her Parents, Willa and Ted Western

I grew up in the historic Lafayette Park neighborhood in Detroit. My parents entertained a lot in our mid-century Mies van der Rohe townhouse. They had a variety of friends and family members who were always over for visits and meals – entrepreneurs, educators, lawyers, professionals, civil rights activists, blue collar workers, tradespeople, Africans, East Indians, Gays and Whites. There were always wonderful conversations and so many interesting stories being shared. My parents and their friends and relatives never had arguments and always respected each other’s viewpoints even if it was different from theirs, it was all about exchanging, learning, good food, drinks, music and fun! Based on my upbringing, seeing people learning and sharing together – that’s the reason for FragranTed. Bringing curious people together to learn and experience fragrance and flavor, in a fun and lovely environment. FragranTed’s vision is to nurture more thoughtfulness, well-being and wonder in the world.

Terees Western with Ford CEO Jacques Nasser and Colleagues Ming Yeh, Mauricio Oliveira

After graduating from MBA school, I began a career in Global Human Resources and Communications working in the automotive and luxury goods industries. I enjoyed a 22-year career. My profession provided me the opportunity to live and work internationally. I was the first African-American woman to work at Jaguar Cars Headquarters in England as their first Global Diversity Affairs Director. After turning down a job relocation to China while working as Human Resources Director for Asia Pacific & Africa, I made the shocking decision to leave Corporate America.

Terees Western with a floral arrangement she made in honor of her Great-Grandmother, Mrs. E.B. Patton

Like my Great-Grandmother, Mrs. E.B. Patton, a college professor, who later in life had a thriving floral business in Alabama, stemming from a gardening hobby, my new career in perfumery grew from my secret love of fragrances and niche perfumery. At 8 years old, I received my first bottle of fragrance Love’s Fresh Lemon as a birthday present from my mother. The smell and symbolism of fragrances and smells intrigued and delighted me. That one bottle, along with other fragrances I received as gifts from my Father set me on a path of fragrance collecting and exploration. After I left my Corporate job, during my sabbatical my father had a health challenge that worsened and he passed away. I was devastated and was lost on my next direction. During a coaching session with mid-career coach and noted genealogist, Karen Batchelor, she asked me a simple question after I went off on a tangent talking about Perfumery – she said “Terees, why aren’t you doing something in Perfumery? I know a thousand people and NO ONE has spoken in length about Perfumery that way you do”? That simple question, was my light bulb moment that changed my life and I decided to go for what I was born to do!

Terees Western of FragranTed sitting at her perfumer organ © @idarrenclark

FragranTed first began as a custom perfumery, named “Terees Scents” in my basement in 2011. After taking an immersion trip to Grasse, France in 2006 to explore perfumery and take a perfumery class at Molinard and also after attending a few Sniffapalooza events in New York City from 2007-2010 where I met CaFleureBon Editor-in Chief Michelyn Camen, Sr. Editor Ida Meister, Sue Phillips and other fragrance professionals – I was inspired to start a fragrance business. I hosted “Scent Seminars” using another company’s products to make custom perfumes. That endeavor was short lived. I honored the holy spirit guiding me to have full ownership on my business, product integrity and closer partnerships with ingredient suppliers. So, I set off to learn the fragrance business my way, on my own by reading, experimenting and serendipitously developing a virtual relationship with Miriam Vareldzis of Palette Naturals and 40 Notes perfume who has provided support and mentorship to me over the years. I relaunched my business as FragranTed in 2017 as a mobile fragrance and flavor apothecary. The business is all about exquisite educational experiences for the senses. I teach the new, unexposed and curious people all about the fascinating world of perfumery and flavors through themed topics and events. It’s my vision to reimage the fragrance encounter for a more pleasant and personal experience.

FragranTed GENTEIL fragrances are my line of soothing scents made with a bounty of botanicals blended with a dab of culture. They are made for the newbie fragrance folks, sensitive skin/allergic and curious connoisseurs who want a pleasant scent experience. I make all of my fragrances by hand in small vintages. GENTEIL (pronounced gentle) fragrances focus on taking classic perfumery and flavor notes and pairing them with significant culture references from my personal life and global Diaspora scent culture. I use natural and nearly naturals (aroma compounds) blended in oil for a hint of scent on the skin. The line is based on ‘Solos’: Classic Single Notes and ‘Duets’: combinations of familiar notes with unfamiliar, unexpected notes.

FraganTed GENTEIL 5ml Solo fragrances © @idarrenclark

FragranTed GENTEIL Solos:

French Lavender: 100% pure and natural Lavender flower tops from Provence, France

Rose: a combination of Bulgarian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Turkish Rose

Italian Bergamot & Grapefruit: notes of Italian bergamot, Grapefruit and Lime.

FragranTed GENTEIL Duets: Pair the equally loved and not so loved notes with iconic notes from global Diaspora scent culture.

Peppermint & Rosemary: Lime, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Siberian Fir

Haitian Vetiver & Rose: Apricot, Green Florals, Rose, Haitian Vetiver, Incense.

Peruvian Pepper & Rose: Orange, Black Pepper, Rose, Pink Pepper, Cedarwood, Cardamom, Ginger

Turkish Fig & Rose: Lemon, Fig, Rose, Turkish Fig, Cedarwood, Peru Balsam

On American Perfumery: Is there a crisp definition that binds us all? Yes, the pursuit of truth and representation is what American Perfumery is about. We all have different backgrounds, training and aesthetics. Yet, as American Perfumers, we bring our own TRUTHS and STORIES through our products and perfumery techniques to bring beauty to the world. As an American Perfumer, my truth and story are to represent and nurture more thoughtfulness, well-being and wonder in the world through botanicals and culture. I’m excited for the next 5-10 years to see the magnificence that unfolds for ALL of US as American Perfumers.

Abe Ogunlende, “Sensational”, 2019

FAVORITE ARTIST: Hard question, just like asking what’s my favorite fragrance. I adore many artists from the Harlem Renaissance period – photographer James Van der Zee and Jacob Lawrence. Also, I’m a big fan of Kehinde Wiley and Mickalene Thomas of today’s times. Currently, I’m loving Nigerian artist Abe Ogunlende, introduced to me by Detroit Curator and AfroFuturist, Ingrid LaFleur.Abe’s works intrigue and delight me for his vibrant use color and the objects that he includes. His pieces are simple, yet so complex, easy, yet with much depth. They are familiar, yet unfamiliar. I get lost in them and come out revived. That’s how I’d like people to experience GENTEIL fragrances.

— Terees Western, Scent Docent, Perfumer, FraganTed and GENTEIL fragrances

Thanks to Terees Western of FragranTed we have a discovery set OR the choice of one 5ml of Terees’ fragrances for a registered reader anywhere in the world. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Terees Western’s path to perfumery, where you live and your choice of the FraganTed set or choose a 5ml should you win. Draw closes July 6, 2020

Terees Western is our 153rd American perfumer in our series, which officially began in 2011 with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes.

If you want to know more about Terees Western, FragranTed and GENTEIL fragrances find her on all social media @fragranted or email her fragranted@gmail.com Website fragranted.com is coming soon!

All photos belong to Terees Western unless otherwise noted.

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