ÇaFleureBon Profiles In American Perfumery: Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of OSM and Blend + Foreverness Giveaway

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of Osme

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of Osme and Blend

Profile: Sometimes you’ve got to take the long way around. This describes my journey to perfuming. It’s definitely not a unique story but rather one that I think many independent perfumers can relate to.

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of Osme was born in Illinois

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg with his dad and brothers

I was born to midwestern parents in Illinois and after one of the most brutal winters there, my parents decided to move to the warmest place possible – Las Vegas.

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of OSM graduation University of North Carolina

After growing up in Sin City, I studied chemistry at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and really put my degree to good use by spending time bartending in restaurants after graduation. Once the universe told me it was time to get out of that college town, I spent a bit of time in San Francisco as an actor and improviser.

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg was in the film industry

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg on set

When I grew tired of my couch surfing, I moved down to Los Angeles with a good friend (OSM 28 Zouzelle and Saturn’s Return is based on that experience.) After a few years in front of the camera, I realized that I was happier behind it and built a career as a production designer for film and commercials.

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg and his husband Michael with their son shortly before OSM launched

Kyle and Michael with their son shortly before OSM launched

Many years later, while my husband and I were in the process of adopting our son, I was spending more time at home. I had been making candles as a hobby but was never satisfied with the scents that were available. After a bit of research, I discovered the world of perfumery as well as a couple of places to begin some coursework. This is when the real work began through formal and self-guided study. Soon I realized that it was the perfect second career for me. Writing formulas and experimentation light up the science and math parts of my brain and the creative storytelling aspect of perfumery makes the other parts happy.

OSM Perfumes 15, 84, 97 and 28 by Kyle Mott-Kannenberg

OSM Perfumes 15, 84, 97 and 28

In late 2018 I released the first fragrances of the experimental perfume line OSM (short for Olfactory Sense Memory). Each fragrance was designed to be a visceral olfactive collage sourced from personal memories, both my own and those of my creative partner and husband, Michael. The first 4 fragrances debuted at Art + Olfaction’s 2018 Scent Fair in Los Angeles and one of them, OSM 15 Foreverness, was shortlisted as a finalist in the artisan category of the Art + Olfaction Awards in 2019.

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of blend

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg early days at Blend

I relocated with my family to Nashville in early 2020. There, I have spent the past 3 years developing fragrances for new and emerging brands under the name Blend (www.BlendbyOSM.com). This company then took the bulk of my focus. But all of this hard work has been worth it as we’re up for an Art + Olfaction Award this year for our work on Flamingo by Blackcliff

OSM Perfumes 15, 84, 97 and 28 by Kyle Mott-Kannenberg

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg in the Streets of L.A.

Even though creating perfumes for other brands took the lion’s share of my time, I was able to dedicate some lab time to formulating for my brand and I’m happy to report that OSM will be releasing 2 new fragrances by the fall of this year. A sneak peek of them was available at Scent Fair LA at Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles on May 5th – 7th, 2023. I’m excited about this as it has come full circle because we presented our first 4 fragrances at the same event 4 years ago.

In the coming years, I will continue to help other brands create fragrances with Blend. In addition, I will be expanding the olfactive offerings of OSM through its connections to personal memories and the LGBTQIA+ community. We have created a brand that is not only committed to creating perfumes based on our memories but also creating scents from the shared memories of our LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

Perfumer's organ

 OSM and Blend perfume organ

On American Perfumery: This is a tough one for me to answer as I feel like we’re part of a global community of perfumers. I’ve learned perfumery through the generosity and tutelage of people from not only in the U.S. but from across the globe as well. It’s this community of independent perfumers working together and sharing experiences and information that I’m so thankful for and so honored to be a part of.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper courtesy Frederic Harris Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Favorite American Artist: Cyndi Lauper. She’s been an inspiration to me. I’m in awe of her spirit and kindness. I respect and admire her support of the underdog and how she speaks up for those who don’t have a voice. She’s been a supporter of marginalized communities for as long as I can remember. AND on top of all that, she’s an amazing songwriter, singer and performer. I mean she wrote the music for a Broadway show – how cool is that. I’ll tell you – very cool in my book —Kyle Mott-Kannenberg, perfumer and owner of OSM and Blend (www.OSMperfume.com and www.BlendbyOSM.com).

OSM 15 Foreverness

Thanks to Kyle Mott-Kannenberg we have a draw for one 50 ml bottle OSM 15 Foreverness and samples of 84, 97 and 28 for one registered reader in North America, Australia, EU,  and UK. Register here. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Kyle’s path to perfumery and where you live. Draw closes 5/14/2023

OSM 15 Foreverness notes: green leaves, rose de mai, sea salt air, amyris, sandalwood, patchouli, wet soil, moss and a faintly spicy, woody musk

Kyle Mott-Kannenberg of OSM and Blend is 172nd in our American Perfumer Series, which officially began with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes on July 11, 2011.

OSME is sold at the American Perfumer

We wish Kyle Mott-Kannenberg the best of luck at the A +O Awards ceremony in the Independent Category  as he is the perfumer for Flamingo for Blackcliff, Thursday May 11, 2023 (sold at Perfumology)

All photos belong to Kyle Mott-Kannenberg unless otherwise noted.

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery and your entry will count twice (be sure to leave that in your comment).

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25 comments

  • joshuabrian says:

    Great read! I love that the brand is named after the memory of scent. One of the most powerful things on Earth in my opinion. I remember exactly what my grandpa smelled like 30 years ago, and miss him every day. Good luck at the awards, Kyle! Thanks for the opportunity. From USA.

  • John Michael Jones says:

    What I love about Kyle’s story is how the stars aligned for him & he found what he was born to do by happenstance… or was it? I truly believe in fate & some people are simply destined for certain things but never find that path. Kyle on the other hand found his path & had the courage to stay on it. Being self taught etc really tells me this is a passion for him & imho passionate artists are the most talented & I can’t wait to try his creations. What a very beautiful & inspiring story. Thank you for sharing Kyle! Lots of love & respect from Boston, Massachusetts!

  • Jeremi says:

    The most fascinating thing to me is how he turns memories into outstandingly beautiful fragrances, that for sure smell amazingly! I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU.

  • Arron_Q says:

    I love stories about people who weren’t happy with what they were doing and decided to grab life by the proverbial horns and follow their passions. That is precisely what Kyle Mott-Kannenberg has done and I congratulate him for having the gusto to do it. So happy he found success and to see that one of his very first fragrances was shortlisted for an A+OA awards so quickly. I’m also pleased to read that he has worked so closely with members of our LGBTQIA+ community as well, allowing them to tell their stories through fragrance is magical. I simply must try some of those scents! Best of luck to everyone! From what I have researched about the fragrance being given away, it seems to be an incredibly unique green/rose/salty/earthy combo. Definitely has piqued my interest. I live in NC, USA.

  • JulieeCee says:

    I love Kyle’s story of finding his unique path to using his chemistry background after doing everything but science after college; it was like the perfect way to discover how to do something you love! Not gonna lie, some of my favorite things in his story are the awesome and hysterical pictures!
    In the U.S.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    Many years later, while my husband and I were in the process of adopting our son, I was spending more time at home. I had been making candles as a hobby but was never satisfied with the scents that were available. After a bit of research, I discovered the world of perfumery as well as a couple of places to begin some coursework. This is when the real work began through formal and self-guided study. Soon I realized that it was the perfect second career for me. Writing formulas and experimentation light up the science and math parts of my brain and the creative storytelling aspect of perfumery makes the other parts happy.Cyndi Lauper. She’s been an inspiration to me. I’m in awe of her spirit and kindness. I respect and admire her support of the underdog and how she speaks up for those who don’t have a voice. She’s been a supporter of marginalized communities for as long as I can remember. AND on top of all that, she’s an amazing songwriter, singer and performer. I mean she wrote the music for a Broadway show – how cool is that. I’ll tell you – very cool in my book —Kyle Mott-Kannenberg, perfumer and owner of OSM and Blend (www.OSMperfume.com and http://www.BlendbyOSM.com). I am glad Kyle used his background in Chemistry to create perfume and his support for marginalised communities and rooting for the underdog. OSM 15 Foreverness notes: green leaves, rose de mai, sea salt air, amyris, sandalwood, patchouli, wet soil, moss and a faintly spicy, woody musk. I am I’m love with the notes sound fabulous. Thanks a million from the UK

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    Even though creating perfumes for other brands took the lion’s share of my time, I was able to dedicate some lab time to formulating for my brand and I’m happy to report that OSM will be releasing 2 new fragrances by the fall of this year. A sneak peek of them was available at Scent Fair LA at Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles on May 5th – 7th, 2023. I’m excited about this as it has come full circle because we presented our first 4 fragrances at the same event 4 years ago.

    In the coming years, I will continue to help other brands create fragrances with Blend. In addition, I will be expanding the olfactive offerings of OSM through its connections to personal memories and the LGBTQIA+ community. We have created a brand that is not only committed to creating perfumes based on our memories but also creating scents from the shared memories of our LGBTQIA+ community and allies. I am fascinated Kyle is creating perfumes for other brands as well as his own house just shows his passion and will to create and touch all communities. I am happy he used his Chemistry background to make perfumes. I am fascinated by this house and Kyle’s route into perfumer us inspirational and brave.Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Scentsational Exchange says:

    Kyle’s path to perfumery is fascinating because it took Kyle on a long and winding journey through various industries before he discovered his passion for fragrance. He studied chemistry, worked as a bartender, pursued acting and improvising, and built a career as a production designer for films and commercials. It wasn’t until he was spending more time at home while in the process of adopting his son that he took up hobby of making candles and eventually discovered his love for perfumery. Kyle`s unconventional journey demonstrates that it’s never too late to follow your passions and that sometimes it takes taking the long way around to discover what truly makes you happy. This is such a fascinating and inspiring journey! It was nice to now one more talented artist better. Thanks for this article!
    I live in Germany.

  • Deso says:

    I like how many professions he had before he started in the perfume industry. His degree in chemistry is of use now. Linking memories with fragrances must be fun. Greetings from EU.

  • Shibuichi2000 says:

    It’s hope giving when you read about a professional trajectory as Kyle’s. I mean, from the thrills of bartending [:))] to the…hills of perfumery. It’s not all unrelated, though, he studied chemistry, after all 🙂
    But I guess his luck in finding this beautiful and, I hope, more fulfilling path was a trivial discontent with such a small thing – a scented candle. Happy for him, keep up the good work.
    I live in Europe.

  • drjedi says:

    In Kyle’s journey to perfumery, I found it interesting how in perfumery he could satisfy both his scientific mind and also his creative, imaginative mind. It was also funny to read how he says he put his chemistry degree to good use by bartending after his graduation. Thanks for he draw and for an interesting article. From continental United States.

  • castlemicro says:

    Hello from Florida! Thanks for writing this fun account of Kyle’s scented history. I love the compelling visuals that accompany OSM 15, and would love to try it plus the rest of the line.

  • Trinity33 says:

    Like so many American perfumers, Kyle Mott-Kannenberg has had an interesting olfactory journey. The degree in chemistry and background as a bartender makes perfect sense for someone interested in aroma chemicals and scent mixology. OSM 15 Foreverness sounds lovely with its blend of greenery, mossy woods, rose and a touch of sea salt air. I’ve always loved Cyndi Lauper. I remember when True Colors first came out and how much that meant to me, MD, USS

  • dLin says:

    It was really interesting to see how Kyle’s past have somewhat to do with fragrances themselves, especially with the degree in chemistry and candle making, but it was very impressive to hear that Kyle is a self taught perfumer. Their journey was very inspiring for someone like me, who isn’t sure if they’re in the right field or think that there’s more to achieve in a different field. From TX, USA.

  • jojosi3 says:

    What an interesting read. I thought it was really cool how in exploring his candle making (as a hobby no less!!) Kyle went down this entire rabbit hole of discovering perfumery! It seems like a real journey of discovery and flow. Thank you for bringing Blend and Kyle to our attention and good luck with the awards!!
    Thank you for the giveaway, from Canada 🙂

  • rmsssss says:

    I found it interesting how Kyle was inspired to combine the scientific, the creative and the personal to create unique perfumes. I love interesting rose perfumes and would love to win this giveaway! I’m in MN, USA and follow CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook

  • moshe says:

    What a change from Chicago to Las Vegas. Very nice article.
    By the way, love the notes of 15 Foreverness, I’m an earthy and petrichor lover. Kind regards from Mexico.

  • Torax says:

    Nice article about Kyle and her path to perfumery.
    I loved how Kyle started using personal memories for his collage olfactive, just amazing.
    I also love that he will be creating fragrances inspired by the LGBTQIA+ community. I hope I get to smell them.
    USA here.

  • Sonbahia says:

    I love Kyle’s life journey: living in many different cities, working in different positions, trying and trying until, at a certain moment, you hear the click, and find the perfect second career for him: from chemistry at The University of North Carolina to perfume formulas (after formal and self-guided study) in LA and now Nashville for his own brand and others. And with a baby at home!! Love that OSM , his brand, will focus on creating perfumes based on their memories (Kyle and Michael) and shared memories of the LGBTQIA+ community: amazing!! Kudos to independent perfumers, muchas gracias!!! I live in Spain, EU!

  • Caliwas says:

    I found fascinating that Kyle’s perfumery journey started with making scented candles as hobby because he wasn’t satisfied with the scents available. This eventually would lead into making fragrances &Olfactory Scent Memory. Inspiring story. Thanks for the opportunity. Greetings from the USA!

  • Anna H says:

    I love the packaging! Such happy, summer vibes with this brand 🙂 I see the LA influence and can understand why Kyle chose to move away from Illinois, haha. As a fellow hybrid brain of sorts (both interested in the mathematical/analytical, and also a fair bit artsy and creative) I can relate to Kyle’s joy in finding perfumery — an avenue for him to pursue with both halves of his temperament, so to speak. While I have never made perfume, I love to learn more about it and keep all my samples organized by season, sillage, most prominent notes, etc.
    Thanks for the most generous draw!
    Indiana, USA

  • Regis Monkton says:

    For a while now, I’ve been interested to try fragrances made by Kyle, and I’m interested to try the ones he plans to release later this year. I hope to eventually become a perfumer myself, so I found it interesting when Kyle was describing his beginnings as a perfumer. I think it’s interesting that he started off making candles. I would like to try OSM 15 Foreverness and 84, 97 and 28. I live in MD, U.S.A.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the lovely writeup on another American Perfumer. I read about this house through CFB and they have been on my list to try for a while.

    I enjoyed reading this profile because I found the journey from a science background into film, and then film production and finally perfumery very interesting. Being a self taught perfumer requires a ton of dedication, especially when things smell terrible initially 😀

    I saw the notes for Flamingo with Blackcliff and I can’t wait to try the rest of this line.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • mmerline says:

    I’ve only tried one of Kyle’s perfumes (OSM 97), but I love the personally nostalgic concept of his OSM line, and hope to try the others soon. Reading about his academics, time in media, and the start of his candlemaking and perfumery, and life with his family in Nashville, he clearly has a rich background to draw from. I’m also curious what he’s taken away from his work with Blend, creating for other brands; I would think it can inform work on his own perfumes as well. Excellent profile of a really compelling American perfumer.

    I’m in the midwest, USA. I like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook. Thanks!

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Wonderful article! What I found fascinating about Kyle’s path to perfumery was learning that OSM is short for Olfactory Sense Memory and each fragrance is designed to lustrate a specific personal memory. What an interesting concept! And furthermore I really enjoyed learning that future offerings in the coming years will focus on personal memories and shared connection to the LGBTQIA+ community. Community is so important and this makes me want to try Kyle’s perfumes even more both those for OSM and those created for other brands! I live in the US.