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Interview with Jessica Buchanan in The Province

There are only a handful of Canadian perfumers, and only 2 of them are form British Columbia. My sister-in-craft, independent perfumer Jessica September Buchanan shares her story of how 1000FLOWERS came to life:
"I knew it was a risk but life is short, life is really short and if you've found something you really want to do (...) why not do it?"

She risked everything she's got by selling her home in Nelson, BC to study perfumery in Grasse, France. 4 years later, her company was born with the launch of the ozonic gourmand Reglisse Noire last fall, inspired by memories of visiting her grandmother and being treated with Licorice Allsorts, and this summer she introduced Fleur No.1, a delicate green floral inspired by the spring in the mountains of interior British Columbia.

Jessica was interviewed for The Province yesterday in "Capturing the smell of success" where you can read more of her philosophy and inspiration.

New Growth

So much for the candles!! by she who is
So much for the candles!!, a photo by she who is on Flickr.

There’s no mistaking the influence of No. 19 upon opening the cute little 15ml splash bottle of my friend and colleague, fellow Canadian (now turned Grassoise) perfumer Jessica Buchannan’s newest creation, Fleur No. 1 galbanum and iris make a happy dance that echoes the distinct accord that is so characteristic of Chanel’s iconic scent, yet with far less melancholy, and with underlining softness of musk. After a few minutes, Fleur No. 1 quiets into a mellow sweet violet of alpha ionone, that quietly hums for a prolonged period of time. Once you’ve made the leap beyond the violet drone, you will find a meadow with delicate green floral narcissus and hyacinth notes, warm woods and a hint of oakmoss, and if you listen carefully – a subtle coniferous note that is softly green, like the new growth tassel of spruce in springtime.
1000Flowers Fleur No. 1 by Ayala Moriel
1000Flowers Fleur No. 1, a photo by Ayala Moriel on Flickr.

I joined the celebration of launching Jessica’s line at Lark boutique on Main St. tonight (July 14th), where she recounted her inspiration for the scent – spending last spring in Nelson, BC, she had to stray away from her originally planned first floral (a sunny, Mediterranean perfume that echoes the landscape of her new home in Grasse), and instead found inspiration in the moment – the melting snow, new buds and leaves and wild violets growing on the mountains of interior British Columbia, where she grew up. There is something to be said about embracing the moment.

photo by Ayala Moriel
photo, a photo by Ayala Moriel on Flickr.

Canadian Perfumers by Ayala Moriel
Canadian Perfumers, a photo by Ayala Moriel on Flickr.
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