Collage of Independent American Perfumers (clockwise from top left) Sarah Horowitz-Thran and family, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, Patrick Kelly, Kelly Jones, James Elliott. All photos courtesy of the perfumers

Today marks the 10th anniversary of ÇaFleureBon. Throughout the last decade, our connection to you has become stronger, more intimate, more caring. The deeply personal work of independent perfumers draws us ever closer as all three learn more about each other. ÇaFleureBon has always been committed to lifting up independent perfumers and their work. Their passion for perfumery has lifted us with them. In these difficult days, it’s more important than ever to help in any way we can. Independent perfumers are applying their unique talents to creating something that we need. With astounding speed, they have pivoted from the creation of perfumes we want to something we desperately need. The spread of COVID-19 is outrunning the resources we had on hand to keep us safe. Something as basic as hand sanitizer isn’t available to us. Independent perfumers are stepping up to the plate to help protect us. Their efforts speak volumes to their spirit. They are part of our circle and they have come to our aid.

 @Bhai Renker

From its inception, ÇaFleureBon has always supported independent perfumers. Since 2011 we have celebrated American perfumers with the “ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery” series. Earlier this month we published our 150th profile. We are proud of the perfumers who are members of this club, even more so when their work touches a deeply personal cord. Nothing can be more personal than giving up their own time to keep us safe. There are many independent perfumers who are generously making hand sanitizers but in light of our 10th anniversary we’ll tell you about five alumni from “ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery”. Each has a different story, but all of them embody the spirit of independent perfumery.

Patrick Kelly of Sigil and bottle ready to fill, courtesy of perfumer

Patrick Kelly, independent owner-perfumer of Sigil in Los Angeles, has been opening his studio and heart to Sigil’s Instagram followers since the anxiety in the US started to become palpable. His Instagram presence is what inspired me to write this piece. I asked him why his perfume account has become a community. “(I hope to create) a sense of community, inclusion, and comfort by hosting regular shared interest, non-fragrance Instagram “Lives”. We had one earlier this week to read poetry together. 400 people came. Tomorrow is a tea time chat and more ideas are in the works.” Patrick converted his perfume studio into a hand sanitizer center. He’s packing all the orders himself to reduce foot traffic and to ensure hygiene in the studio. His “190-proof alcohol hand mist” is selling out quickly. There’s a waiting list so you may want to get on it. In order to keep in balance and protect his wellness, he will only list about bottles that are ready to ship, about 50 throughout a week. With each new batch, he will rotate which essential oil he uses: sagebrush, fresh ginger, and lime. None of the perfumers are making these products to make a profit. Sigil is selling each bottle at cost. Customers will have the option to add $5 to the price of the bottle to be donated to the LA LGBT Center’s Food Pantry.

 Independent Perfumer Sarah Horowitz-Thran and her family; Stay Safe Sanitizing Spray”, courtesy of the perfumer

Not too far away from Patrick is Sarah Horowitz Parfums located in Westlake Village, CA.  Sarah Horowitz–Thran, owner-perfumer, is producing “Stay Safe Sanitizing Spray” in her studio. Along with the mandated high alcohol content Sarah is adding anti-bacterial essential oils of lemon, lemongrass, lavender, clove, patchouli. I asked her what inspired her to create the spray. “In times of crisis, our instinct is ‘what can I do to help’?  As a perfumer, I have a large quantity of alcohol on hand, as well as fine grade essential oils that I know to have health properties. It seemed the logical step to make something that could help during this insane time.” While caring for us, Sarah is keeping her team safe.  Working with a much-reduced team allows them to follow the CDC guidelines of staying 6 feet apart. Every refillable bottle is poured by clean, gloved hands. Like the others, Sarah will not profit from the sale of this sanitizer spray; they are being sold at cost.

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz; BE WELL :: LIVE WELL LINE, courtesy of the perfumer

Sarah began her career in fragrance working side by side with perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, our first-ever official profile in American perfumery.  Dawn’s DSH Perfumes is making “BE WELL :: LIVE WELL Hand sanitizer spray” in two sizes of refillable bottles that can be shipped anywhere in the continental US. Dawn scents her spray with thyme, lemon, tea tree, lavender, and linalool. The products are being sold at a projected cost. If she raises any extra funds, they will be donated to organizations such as Foodbank of the Rockies and Conscious Alliance supplies food for children in need. I asked Dawn if it was an immediate decision to jump in to supply her customers with much needed sanitizer. “I have always believed in our inter-dependency… and at this time it shows up all the more.  We need to support one another in every way that we can.  We have access to materials to help keep everyone safer… so we have to offer them up to the community.  Especially when supplies are so low at this time.  Supporting charities and people in need has also been a big priority for DSH Pefumes for a long time.  As an independent perfumery, we’re happy to continue to do our part to make a difference.”

Kelly Jones in her studio; bottle of EARTH hand sanitizer,courtesy of the perfumer

Across the country in Kingston, NY,  independent  perfumer Kelly Jones of Kelly+Jones has gone to work on her “EARTH Hand Sanitizer” which is lightly fragranced with her bestselling EARTH perfume which is made with vetiver and saffron. For every ten bottles sold, Kelly will donate and deliver the product to essential workers in her town. “I chose grocery store workers because they are stressed and working so hard! They are on the front lines and need it most. I encountered one grocery store manager in tears today as they needed my hand sanitizer so badly.” Anticipating a possible shut down in the state of New York, Kelly pre-filled hundreds of bottles. When these sell out she will be able to produce more in her work space that is attached to her home.

James Elliott; bottle of his sanitizer, courtesy of the perfumer

Another American independent perfumer who is thinking globally and acting locally is James Elliott, owner and independent perfumer of Filigree & Shadow in Seattle, WA. It is not a mystery why James began making his spray hand sanitizer. It is so local that in order to keep the price very low he is not selling the spray on line. He avoids any shipping charges by only selling the product in a local shop where they are sold at cost. However, since James is an ardent advocate of small businesses he will sell the product half-price to any business that wants it for their customers. James lives in Washington State where the US first felt the pain COVID-19 is causing. I asked him how he’s dealt with the situation.“I lived in NYC during 9/11 so I’m no stranger to shelter-in-place and later isolation. I’m using my social media channels to check in with people and make sure they’re doing okay, and to shine a light on friends outside the perfume community who are small business owners.

UPDATE: as of 03/22 Jame Elliott is making his hand sanitizer “Filagree & Shadow Hand Sanitizer” available to purchase online

Tomorrow ÇaFleureBon will begin its 11th year. We always have been committed to the art and spirit of independent perfumery. In these strange and difficult times we will strive to continue to bring ours readers more of that art and spirit. To this end, we will be publishing another article about the compassion of independent perfumers from allover the world. There are so many to tell you about. We will all support each other. We’ll get through this together.

Please join us in supporting Independent perfumers by purchasing their products, click on the name of the product linked in this article.

COVID-19 DISCLAIMER: The hand sanitizers discussed in this article are not a substitute for properly washing hands with soap and water. The products discussed in this article have been formulated within the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. However, they have not been tested in an independent lab and they are not known to be effective in killing coronavirus germs.

–Marianne Butler, Senior Contributor

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