creating a fragrance
"What color is it?"
"what would I smell if I were there?"
This is what I ask when designing a fragrance. More often a fragrance is inspired by a memory, a story, a myth, or a place that piques my interest.
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SEDONA is a city of complexities and polarities. Brilliant skies over arid earth. Fragile ecosystems in an unyielding landscape. Modern life merged with ancient customs.
I study the native plants of the area, as well as any non-native plants used in ancient ritual practices or even non-native crop species that were an important part of the growth of the land.
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When you begin to study the plants, animals, and geology of a place, a color palette of the natural surroundings emerges; the soft greens of chaparral and sages, brown canyon wrens, red earth, rose and purple sunsets.
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The colors of Sedona were warm, soft, bright, and slightly unsaturated. This gives direction to a scent that evolved into a soft, dry, muted, and fresh fragrance.
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how is it made?
Once my research is done and I have an idea of what direction I may take, I start blending what I call a 'template' with natural oils and absolutes from my library.
When I like where the template is going, I begin writing a fragrance brief for the perfumer. This includes my research, overall vision for the scent, and the notes that I want to include.
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This process can take 6 months to a year to develop the fragrance. Samples get sent back and forth with many adjustments until it fully captures the intent and story.
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The final product is bottled and labeled by hand before being offered on our website.
Margaret Griscom
Founder Grisiau Parfums