Leilani Bishop in an early ad for Tommy Girl, 1997 (CaFleureBon Modern Masterpiece by Calice Becker)
Editor Valerie Lee Vitale was flipping through a recent issue of Vogue when an image caught her eye. Model Leilani Bishop with her son. Valerie met Leilani Bishop and was captivated by the simple "haiku" of her fragrances at Elements Showcase last August, which she reviewed for CaFleureBon but somehow I missed Leilani. Yet, Leilani and I have our own story, that has nothing to do with perfume, one from the life I led in the early 90s'. I was at a photo shoot for a fashion footwear ad with Photographer David Lachapelle. I remember asking Leilani about her unusal name, which is Hawaiian for "Flowers from Heaven". I have met many models, but Leilani Bishop stayed with me all these years.
When we met, Leilani was at the beginning of her modeling career. She has appeared in many ads( including Tommy Girl Perfume), fashion and beauty editorials, on the cover of magazines such as Allure, Self and Vogue, in music videos and on the famous cover of The Hole's 1994 album Live through This. Leilani Bishop walked down the runway along with superstar models Eva Herzigova, Adriana Lima, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Giselle Budchen in 1999 for Victoria's Secrets. Today, (20 years later) she is a model, a mother, an avid yogini, a philanthropist and a perfumer. Life has come full circle and I am proud to present Leilani at the beginning of her scented journey (her line of fragrance oils debuted in 2012) in our American Perfumer series.-Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Leilani Bishop of Leilani Bishop Fragrance
Profile: I was born on the island of Maui in Hawaii in the mid 70’s to parents who were living a Hippie lifestyle. I grew up in the Islands with a short stint on the Mainland (Continental US) from ages 4-9. Upon moving back to the Islands we moved to Kauai also know as as the ‘Garden Island”, where I lived until I left to live on another Island of a slightly different nature….Manhattan.
Young Leilani Bishop at 8 years old-Her name means Flowers from Heaven in Hawaiian
Growing up in Hawaii, I was surrounded by intoxicating smells whether it was the smell of salt spray coming off the ocean during the winter season or the fragrance of rotting guava and passion fruit mixed with flowers and rich mud on the trails I love to hike. Still to this day when I get off the plane in Hawaii the smells of the aina (land) sooth me and cradle me like a lullaby.
Leilani Bishop's Hawaii moments: Pikake is known as Hawaiian Jasmine
Which is why I suppose when I left to live in Manhattan and started traveling the world as a Fashion Model, what intrigued me most about the intense juxtapose of the locations I went to was the differences in the smells of the lands, foliage, cities and people. I naturally gravitated towards the smells of nature in these locations more then the man made smells. I love how the right smell in a foreign land can make you feel immediately connected and inspired, as well as fill you with love for your surroundings. I created my Orange Blossom oil to commemorate my travels to Africa and to the Mediterranean, my lilac fragrance to remind me of my modeling days in the Hamptons and of course Pikake for my native Hawaii. I have always wanted to create my own business and Brand. I am able to use that money to suport worthwhile causes and charities, especially for women, as well as allow me a world that gets to play and work creatively with others that I admire.
Leilani Bishop in the lab
American Perfumery: America is known for producing innovators and that aspect shows up in American Perfumery. I think with out that innovation it would be very hard for brands such as myself to grow and thrive like we have been able to. I love the history and infrastructure of the perfume legends and draw inspiration from them, but I personally resonate more with the niche indie brands. I think that American perfumers have a special romance with the process that reminds me of teenage love and all the excitement that that encompasses, as a whole they are eager to discuss fragrance and new ways to approach it. It is a very supportive community here in America.
Zac Posen and Leilani in a bespoke gown he created for her
American Artists: I am huge fan of Zac Posen as a designer and an artist, his attention to detail and his need to create a work of art with each piece is awe inspiring. Not to mention that any woman can put on one of his pieces and feel sexier then she has ever felt. He is constantly referencing time periods where dressing for an occasion was a celebration in fabrics and folds, with the right buttons and accents. I am truly a fan and thrilled to wear his pieces from time to time.
–Leilani Bishop, Perfumer and founder of Leilani Fragrance Oils.
For our draw:
WORLDWIDE – sample set of all three fragrance oils, 2ml each of orange blossom, lilac and pikake
USA only you can choose the sample set or your choice of one 10 ml perfume Lilac , Orange Blossom or Pikake
To be eligible, please leave a comment on what you found fascinating about Leilani Bishop and her path as well as your choice of fragrance. Please include the country you live in. Draw ends February 6, 2014.
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