Patrick Akamiokhor, Founder and Perfumer of House of Gadon

Profile: I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. My Father was a career banker. My Mother was  a stay-at-home Mom. She had fashion design aspirations and possessed excellent culinary skills. I recall the kitchen was redolent with the pleasantly pungent smell of aromatic herbs like bay leaves, thyme, sage and oregano and spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Hibiscus flowers, queen of the night, cherry laurels, lemongrass and aromatic herbs and shrubs were grown in our well tendered gardens and it was always refreshing to smell the surrounding air especially after the cooling rains or after sunset.

 Patrick when he was a teen with his mom in Nigeria

My earliest olfactory recollections as a toddler include the aroma of Snuff and Pipe tobacco (which my grandmother used recreationally) that filled the air. These are imprinted in my memory and was a precursor to my fascination with scent. In my youth, the aroma of my Father’s shaving foams and fine aftershaves employed during his daily shaving ritual, with the subtle lingering sillage, also left remarkable impressions. Before I could afford designer perfumes, I would frequently dab his aftershave splash-ons (classic Old Spice, Bill Blass cologne, Chanel Kouros and Armani Eau pour homme- were just a few in his grooming arsenal). I was delighted to acquire his partially used bottles while in college, and to be gifted with new ones on occasion. My Father’s grooming routine and impeccable scent and sartorial taste shaped my deep appreciation for the power of scent to enhance one’s dressing. He exuded charm and a unique pleasant memorable smell. I recall memories of my mother who had classic sensibilities. She wore Eau de Gucci Concentree, Bluegrass, Carven MaGriffe, Cacharel’s Anais Anais and Lou Lou, Must de Cartier, Chanel No 5,19 and 22, Oscar de la Renta.

Ô de Lancome (original) bottle, photo by Nicoleta©

My first gift to my Mom with my first paycheck at my job after graduating college was the classic  Ô de Lancome. It was quite a gamble. It’s sophisticated simplicity, I believed, personified her. Was I right – she loved it. She noted its pleasant citrusy lemon scent with subtle floral nuances. It worked perfectly in the tropical heat like an oasis. Although this fragrance was commercially marketed to women, it worked when I will spray some on myself. Being able to wear Ô and Elizabeth Arden’s ‘Sunflowers’ comfortably, especially in the right conditions, expanded my horizons. From the onset, I saw beyond the gender marketing of scent.

I’ve had an amazing scent journey and my interest in perfumery started from my college years. Being an ardent nature lover, I would take strolls on the quiet streets of the Island neighborhood we lived in. I would always stop to pluck aromatic plants and flowers. I was constantly sniffing and dissecting perfumes and desired to create my own unique blends.

Patrick Akamiokhor, Founder and Perfumer of House of Gadon©

After emigrating with my family to the United States a couple decades ago, my fragrance journey would take several years of diligent study and practice. Being a self-taught perfumer and my vast experience in the New York luxury fashion scene has prepared me for this venture. What began as a hobby (driven by strong passion for perfumery) making blends for friends and family, has evolved into a fragrance house.

Formulations for House of Gadon©

On American Perfumery: What does being an American Perfumer mean to me? America is a collective of various races and cultures. The Art and Science of perfumery is rich in history and heritage. The ethereal nature of the craft gives it a transcendence that’s challenging to encapsulate in words. I believe a perfume is an extension of the soul of the composer who draws inspiration from outside and within and gives expression through one’s prism. As an American Perfumer with West African roots, I am able to create perfume with a nod to classic perfumery principles and standards incorporating my unique interpretations of my American environment.

George Benson Photo: Courtesy Soundtrack.com

Favorite American Artist: George Benson, the legendary jazz guitarist. I admire his artistic flexibility, music versatility and artistic prowess. He has been able to transcend genres and perform well both musically and vocally. I see parallels in music and perfumery. His deep American roots and artistic influences and his clever interpretations/adaptations of music forms inspire me as an Artist. As in music, perfumery has notes and chords expressed in harmonious and contrasting accords. In George Benson, I see a basically self-taught musician who has mastered his craft and can break the rules, respectfully. One of George Benson’s works, “Breezin’”- a song released in 1976 which has stood the test of time and is considered safe in jazz circles (but cut across multiple music genres and renowned for its pop chart topping acclaim) is a piece that connects with one of my creations for our fragrance house, Spirit Sublime, our first launch. My inspiration for this scent was the seacoast, where the water meets the earth. The essence is reminiscent of the surrounding refreshing breeze with the accompanying smell of sea salt and driftwood. I used non-conventional materials to capture this breezy aquatic experience. I find the song to be quite sublime and it captures the essence of this spirit, musically.

– Patrick Akamiokhor of House of Gadon

Thanks to House of Gadon we have a draw for a registered user in the USA only for a 50 ml bottle of your choice of Spirit Sublime, Love in SoHo, Fleur de l’Abbe or Grand Odyssey from the House of Gadon Parfums line. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating Patrick’s path to perfumery and your choice should you win. Draw closes 9/05/2021

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery on Facebook and your entry will count twice. Please leave that in your comment.

Please support our American perfumers and buy samples or bottles: Use COUPON CODE  CAF25 for 25% discount, code expires 9/30/2021 gadoninc.com

 Patrick Akamiokhor is the 162nd  in our American Perfumer Series, which officially began with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes on July 11, 2011

All photos belong to House of Gadon unless otherwise noted.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon and @houseofgadon

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our  blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume