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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The final product is bottled and labeled by hand before being offered on our website.
Margaret Griscom
Founder Grisiau Parfums