Scent World

Fragrance can be a little daunting, so in celebration of National Fragrance Day, we’re enlisting the help of three of our favorite #PerfumeTok content creators. They share candid reactions to most-loved and niche fragrances. We cover Frequently Asked Questions like how to experiment with fragrances, how to train your nose, and what to wear on various occasions. As a special treat, we explore literature as a gateway into the olfactive world, and even how to smell like Oscar Wilde.

We've got lots more in store for you at our ⁠Fragrance Week Video Summit.⁠

Flowers have been used in fragrances since the ancient times, when plant-based ingredients like blooms, leaves, and resins were blended to create scented oils. Michelle thinks the time has come to give traditional florals the modern upgrade they deserve. She’s no stranger to innovation. Starting out in PR, she worked with the pioneering women who built the London fashion scene. She launched Tommy Hilfiger’s first-ever fragrance, helped lead MAC Cosmetics to become the biggest makeup brand in the world, and created beauty products that went on to become cult classics.

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Heather Hyatt, who runs social media at Scentbird. She tells the story of the inspiration behind her fragrances, including an iconic Van Gogh painting and a famous British garden, and shares her advice on how to embody more confidence in self-expression.

Highlights:

• The 80s and what fashion PR felt like in its early days
• Lynne Franks, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and other pioneers
• Why there was an influx of women starting their businesses at the time
• Launching Tommy, Tommy Hilfiger’s first-ever fragrance
• Creating a cult following for Crème de la Mer
• The moment of inspiration for Floral Street
• How taking a year off nurtured the start of a new career chapter
• Sustainability: Turning coffee cups into 100% recyclable fragrance packaging
• Removing the word “sexy” from fragrance marketing
• Working with Michael Nash to design the packaging
• Floral Street in a nutshell
• Scent Spotlight: Wonderland Peony, Electric Rhubarb, Sunflower Pop, London Poppy, and Neon Rose
• The Van Gogh painting that inspired a fragrance
• Beyond Scent: Beauty, Self-Expression, and Career Advice
• The story Michelle would want to tell about her life a decade from now

Featured Fragrances:

Wonderland Peony by Floral Street
Electric Rhubarb by Floral Street
Sunflower Pop by Floral Street
London Poppy by Floral Street
Neon Rose by Floral Street

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

One idea has ruled the fragrance industry for generations: women wear florals and men wear musks. When Matthew and his co-founder, David Kien, began making candles out of their kitchen, they took a different stance. They named the brand Boy Smells and packaged products in a pink box, giving rise to what they call “genderful” expression. It’s an invitation to embrace the gender spectrum and tap into your fullest power by calling on both the feminine and the masculine.

In this episode, Matthew sits down with Marianne Mychaskiw, who runs communications at Scentbird. He explores the history of gender-based marketing, collaborations with Grace Jones and Kacey Musgraves, and why Boy Smells is a love letter to his younger self.

Highlights:

• Matthew's relationship with scent growing up
• Embracing the fullness of your identity: “genderful” vs. genderless
• Calling on both the masculine and feminine
• Working for great fashion designers in London and New York
• Treating Boy Smells like a fashion vs. fragrance brand
• Starting Boy Smells with David Kien from their LA kitchen
• Why they called it Boy Smells and packaged products in a pink box
• The brand as a love letter to Matthew’s previous self
• Scent Spotlight: Cowboy Kush, Violet Ends, Grace, Slow Burn, & Hinoki Fantôme
• How the collaboration with Kacey Musgraves started in the DMs
• Why Grace Jones is the original gender disruptor
• Scent Connection, Beyond-the-Binary Edition
• What a David Bowie scent might smell like
• Alexander McQueen’s influence
• A brief history of gender-based marketing
• What Matthew would say to his 13-year-old self

Featured Fragrances:

Cowboy Kush by Boy Smells
Violet Ends by Boy Smells
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Featured Candles:

Grace by Boy Smells‍
Slow Burn by Boy Smells‍
Hinoki Fantôme by Boy Smells

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

You may recognize Chris from his 25-year career as a model, where he appeared in over 60 campaigns for Ralph Lauren and became an iconic face for the luxury brand. It was on a spontaneous trip to Grasse, the French Riviera town known as the perfume capital of the world, that Chris struck a deal with a scent manufacturer to start his own line. Not long after, Chris Collins became the first Black-owned fragrance line to be sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, and Sephora.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who runs integrated marketing at Scentbird. He tells the story of the cultural exchange between New York and Paris, takes us back to the artistry of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, and reflects on what it means to live a bold, free life.

Highlights:

• Being discovered as a model and pivoting from a medical path
• What it was like to work as a Ralph Lauren model for 25+ years
• Obsession for Men and early scent moments
• How Chris found the freedom to be himself
• The first “yes” from a fragrance house in Grasse
• Take the first step, even if you don’t know how to start
• The connection between Paris and the 1920s Harlem Renaissance
• What does a Harlem speakeasy smell like?
• How a fragrance goes from an idea to the bottle
• Daring to explore (and overcome) taboos in self-expression
• Chris’ scent preferences day to day
• Scent Spotlight: Harlem Nights, Renaissance, & Danse Sauvage
• The story of Josephine Baker
• Scent Connection, First Moments
• Why Chris is making history
• The definition of a life well-lived

Featured Fragrances:
Harlem Nights by Chris Collins
Danse Sauvage by Chris Collins
Renaissance by Chris Collins

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Steph first came into the limelight as Kim Kardashian’s assistant and rose to become the Chief Operating Officer of Kardashian West Brands. She now serves as the Chief Impact Officer of Plus, a biodegradable body wash brand, and co-founded Future Earth, a climate education platform. In partnership with Snif, Steph has launched her own fragrance. It’s genderless, housed in 100% compostable packaging, and named Suganami as an homage to her Japanese last name.

In this episode, Steph sits down with Marianne Mychaskiw, who runs communications at Scentbird. She takes us back to early scent memories growing up in Ohio, why she has always been very specific about fragrance, and how she breaks norms in style and scent.

Highlights:

• Evolving from Kim Kardashian’s assistant to COO of Kardashian West Brands
• Meeting Karl Lagerfeld, a “pinch-me, is this real?” moment
• What it felt like to start a new career chapter
• Juniper Breeze and first scent explorations
• Growing up with a “charmed childhood” in Ohio
• Reflecting on her mother’s influence on self-expression
• Scent Spotlight: Suganami, Steph’s new fragrance in partnership with Snif
• Paying homage to her Japanese last name
• Scent likes, dislikes, and the best-smelling person Steph has ever met
• Breaking gender norms in style and scent
• How you can express yourself more authentically
• The change Steph would like to see through Future Earth
• Steps anyone can take to live a more sustainable life
• Scent Connection, Glam Occasions Edition
• Advice for those looking to embark on a similar career path

Featured Fragrance:
Suganami by Snif

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Douglas says that from a young age, he understood that a rebellious nature lived within him and was fighting for his voice. He’s not afraid to be polarizing and unapologetically himself. That’s the driving force behind Heretic. The brand is an expression of his intense love of nature and is on a mission to show the provocative side of naturals and the dirty side of clean.

In this episode, Douglas sits down with Heather Hyatt, who runs social media at Scentbird. He breaks down his process for handcrafting fragrances that elicit a visceral and often erotic reaction. He takes us back to the day he met Gwyneth Paltrow and the story behind the This Smells Like My Vagina Candle, one of the creations he’s best known for, in collaboration with Goop.

Highlights:

• Growing up in San Fernando Valley
• What it means to be a rebel
• Perfumery studies and journey into fragrance
• The lightning strike start of Heretic
• Advice for those looking to follow their own path
• Meeting Gwyneth Paltrow on a hot NYC summer day
• How the This Candle Smells Like My Vagina candle came about
• How fragrance can do more than just smell good
• The holistic power of aromatherapy ingredients
• Scent Spotlight: Dirty Grass, Dirty Vanilla, & Dirty Coconut
• Scent Connection, Off-the-Wall Edition
• Douglas's biggest aspiration

Featured Fragrances:
Dirty Glass by Heretic
Dirty Coconut by Heretic
Dirty Vanilla by Heretic

Featured Candle:
This Smells Like My Vagina by Heretic x Goop

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.