Photo: Jonathan Sielaff

When I read The Silver Fox's evocative reviews of Perfumer Heather Sielaff of Olo Fragrances' Erastus and Lightening Paw  I wanted to learn more about Heather Sielaff as I was unfamiliar with her scents; I wanted to learn more about her path to perfumery. Heather is one of the perfumers in the growing  community of creative olfactive artisans in Portland, Oregon. The Silver Fox has a way with words and I was intrigued when he wrote, "Heather Sielaff has created a portfolio of particular aromas that enhance skin and senses with a wild palette of familiar and compelling references. Grass, weather, forest, water, rain, bloom, storm, fire, smoke. Who doesn’t know these things? Wearing them integrates us, we feel accepted". – Michelyn Camen, Editor In Chief

Heather Sielaff  of OLO fragrances

I was born and bred from a long line of North Carolinians.  Both sides of my family are a mix of British, Irish, German and miscellaneous Northern European.  They’ve been in North Carolina for many generations though, so my family is decidedly Southern.  I have retained two Southernisms, my accent and the ability to talk about nonsense for hours on end.

Heather as a toddler

I have fond memories of my grandparent’s home.  They grew everything in the garden so I was always helping snap beans or shuck corn.  I spent hours wandering around the yard entertaining myself. My cousin and I used to climb the plum trees and waste so many plums throwing them at each other!  I would also lie under the scuppernong vines when it was really hot. I loved the smell of the warm fruit and dirt.  I didn’t realize at the time how grounding it was for me to go there and connect with the rhythms of nature. My grandparents would wake up really early, way earlier than at my house.  Saturday morning breakfast was always at the kitchen bar, lit with one overhead light.  It would still be dark outside. The smell of buttered biscuits, sausage patties and coffee filled the air.  I would drag myself up and into the kitchen, half asleep while I ate.  I was allowed to go back to bed for little while but then I had to help clean while I watched cartoons.  Dusting was my favorite chore because I loved the smell of Lemon Pledge.  I’ve always loved to smell everything.  I collected scratch n sniff stickers and owned every Strawberry Shortcake doll.  I was often annoyed when the dolls didn’t smell like I thought they should, I’m looking at you Miss Lemon Meringue.

Photo: Jason Kinney- Heather blending OLO fragrances

OLO Fragrance was born after many years of using aromatherapy in my massage practice. I took my first aromatherapy course in 1998.  I used essential oils in my practice and private life and sold them in the wellness center I co-owned. They were such a large part of my daily life but I never thought of essential oils in the context of perfume.  I made an aromatherapy blend for a client a few years ago and it smelled like Fruit Loops.  This was the first time I thought to myself, “Oh, if I blend these oils together a certain way I can get different smells!”  I knew this already but the idea finally stuck with me that it was something I wanted to try.  I ordered some supplies to get started and started playing around with blending.  What was supposed to be a hobby took on a life of it’s own.

Photo: Jonathan Sielaff

The Pacific Northwest has a huge influence on me in terms of what scents I try to capture.  The smell of the ocean air combined with the forest on the Oregon coast is my all time favorite smell.  It is such a cleansing experience to hike the trails along the Pacific Ocean and feel the mist on your skin.  The tree resins, moss and wet dirt are my combination of choice.  I’ve tried to capture it as closely as possible in a fragrance blend. I love it when people recognize the exact area I’m trying to recreate.  I’m extremely grateful to be able to connect with people in this way

 

Photo: Jonathan Sielaff

On American Perfumery: I am inspired by American perfumers ability to capture the essence of the various landscapes of this country.  We don’t have a long history in perfume so it’s great to see the different perspectives.  The identity of the perfumer and where they live is often a part of the story of the perfume, part of the narrative.  It’s nice to see American perfumers put themselves forward on their own terms and as the artists they are.

James Turrell

Favorite American Artist: I am currently most inspired by is James Turrell.  His work is a completely immersive experience.  He has talked about light being the material and perspective the medium.  We all interpret what is around us to create our own realities.  Light appears to be almost tactile in his work.  I love how it envelops you, how you become a part of the light around you.

–Heather Sielaff, Founder and Perfumer for OLO Fragrances

 For our Draw: USA, CANADA, EU a sampler set of all ten OLO fragrances: Toji, Violet Leather, Valens, Lighteniing Paw, Dafne, Dark Wave, Erastus, Forêt, Nationale 6/7, Tulare, and Victory Wolf

OR reader's choice of a 9 ml of any of the ten scents above.

To be eligible, leave a detailed comment with what you find fascinating about Heather Sielaff and your choice of either the OLO sampler set or the name of the 9 ml OLO fragrance you would like to win.  Draw closes August 5, 2014

Support our American Perfumers!!!

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook and your entry will count twice (we haven't noticed alot of new liking activity, what is up with that)?

Milk Milk Lemonade is a store owned by Heather Sielaff and is located at 1407 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR 97214. The shop is currently open by appointment and on weekends.   Hours are posted daily on Twitter.  Regular hours will start in September.

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.