Perfumer Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert

Profile: Born in Folsom, California, and raised in Sonoma County, my childhood was a tapestry of vivid sensory experiences. Each night, I fell asleep to the melodic beauty of Chopin’s Études, while the sweet scent of jasmine on cool spring evenings and the earthy aroma of the grape harvest in autumn filled the air. At just five years old, I vividly recall the frustration of not yet mastering Chopin’s first E-flat Major waltz—a reflection of my deep and early bond with music, which became a constant rhythm of my upbringing.

5 years old Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert

Meanwhile, my earliest memories of perfume were my mother’s two favorites, Poison by Dior and Cinnabar by Estée Lauder . My deeper appreciation of perfume entered the scene when I was eight years old. A family friend gave me a bottle of Eau d’orange verte by Hèrmes. The moment I smelled it, I was captivated. Though I’d never been to Europe, the fragrance instantly transported me to an imagined South of France. I immediately understood the intention of its composition, recognizing it as far too sophisticated for an eight-year-old. Nevertheless, my passion for fragrance was ignited.

In high school, I played viola for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, a path that led me to pursue undergraduate studies in music at The University of Arizona. The viola, often considered the alto voice of the string family, serves as the connective tissue between soaring violins and the grounding foundation of the cellos and basses. I found a deep sense of purpose in this role, much like a heart note in fragrance acts as the bridge bringing harmony and balance to the whole.

Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert playing the viola

Despite earning a master’s degree in viola performance later, my connection to playing music professionally narrowed. I cherished the skill and precision required to perform in a string quartet or orchestra, yet I found myself longing for a more personal creative outlet. While my love for music remained profound, I wanted to do more than serve as an interpreter—it was time to create something entirely my own. But I had no idea fragrance would become that medium.

Crafting fragrance is very similar to playing and composing music. Just as music notes flow in and around one another to create a transportive harmony, melody, or symphony, a complex fragrance dances in a rich, layered tapestry of story, emotion, and memory. As a classically trained musician, I am always amazed how both music and fragrance transport me to different times and places in the flash of an instant.

Unfortunately, Covid entered the scene, reminding me that I might need a more consistent career than music performance. I moved back to Tucson to pursue a third degree at the University of Arizona, and I landed my first job as an aerospace engineer in early 2023.

I put my engineering skills to good use as I created the first Buchart Colbert fragrance, L’Hantise, or The Haunting, in the winter of 2023 on the kitchen counter. L’Hantise is a soft reminder of a music career left behind, while the next fragrance, Knife Thrower, is about boldly forging ahead. It turned out that my years of music study and performance, combined with a new lens of engineering, had helped me interpret the world of fragrance through a combined language of pattern, layer, and story. Rooted in my deep love of music, it was all coming together.

Sean Cavenaugh and Sean Colbert (Colbert is the perfumer) “The Seans”

After years of connecting the dots between music, storytelling, artistry, and self-expression, Buchart Colbert launched its debut collection of six fragrances in October 2024. Developing a fragrance brand has been a deeply transformative experience, combining creative passion with the challenges of building a business from scratch. This venture allows me to craft scents that celebrate individuality while navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the modern fragrance industry.

Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert at his perfume work space

American Perfumery: American perfumery has given me a canvas to create something unique and new. It has flourished into a bold, innovative art form that defies convention and celebrates individuality. Regardless of geographic or educational opportunities, inspiration finds its way into creating something uniquely expressive and full of heart. I credit this environment for supporting my own voice as a self-taught perfumer. From indie artisans crafting fragrances by hand, to niche houses redefining luxury, American perfumery is forging its own path on the global stage.

Buchart Colbert Eaux de Parfum

Drawing from diverse influences across eras and dimensions, American perfumery also embraces themes of inclusivity and self-expression. Like Buchart Colbert, unisex fragrances that prioritize scent over gender invite wearers into immersive olfactory worlds, transforming perfume into a medium for exploring and defining personal narratives. I am excited to be part of this vibrant art as it continues to evolve and transcend expectations and traditions, while still honoring a timeless artform.

John Singer Sargent Self Portrait common use

Favorite American Artist: Although my artistic interests and tastes vary, during a recent visit to The Metropolitan Art Museum in New York City I found myself captivated by the portraits of John Singer Sargent. An American artist with international roots, his ability to capture not just the physical likeness but the very essence of his subjects struck me deeply. Each brushstroke seems to breathe life into the canvas, revealing a world of subtle emotions and untold stories. Sargent’s mastery of light and texture creates an almost cinematic quality, drawing the viewer into the intimacy of each moment. Like my devotion to timeless elegance with a modern twist, his work reminds me of the power of art to transcend time, connecting us to people and emotions in a very immediate, visceral way.

–Sean Colbert, perfumer, and co-founder of Buchart Colbert

Buchart Colbert Expressions Kit: L’Hantise, Le Bain de Lulu, Knife Thrower, Mischa, Faisan d’Or, Lutin Errant

Thanks to Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert, we have a draw for a Buchart Colbert Expressions Set registered user in the US only. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert and his path to perfumery. Draw closes 11/25/2024

Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert is the 178th in our American perfumer series, which officially began in 2011 with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR AMERICAN PERFUMERS AND BUY DIRECTLY FROM THEIR SITE

All photos belong to Sean Colbert of Buchart Colbert, unless otherwise noted.

Please read Hernando’s Sniffapalooza fall Ball 2024 report where Sean was a guest speaker here.

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