What in the world can we learn from “frag-heads?!” Well let’s take a look! Today I am lucky enough to be posting my second interview with a fragrance blogger, this time with Steven from Redolessence, a famous reviewer on YouTube and creative director for the new fragrance brand Navitus.
The Steven from Redolessence Interview
[Q]uestion: Thanks so much for doing this Interview with TheFragranceWriter.com. I wanted to start off with this question to you as a fragrance reviewer. Do you find that a fragrance is more appealing to you when it uses a storyline and creative writing in its presentation? If so, can you give a specific example?
Stephen: This is a fantastic question and certainly something over which I have pondered for some time. When it comes to classical music, I find that it’s often difficult to remember the names of many of my favorite pieces. With titles like Suite No. 1 or Symphony No. 5, the connection is not immediately made to the song I have listened to countless times. An analogy to fragrance would be a scent that is called “Jasmine Oud” or “Myrrh and Vanilla.” While it’s helpful to convey to consumers what a fragrance will smell like in the fragrance’s title, it does nothing in helping a fragrance tell a story. Contrary to that, with fragrances like L’Air du Desert Marocain (a name that translates to “Air of the Moroccan Desert”) you imagine being in the middle of an arid desert surrounded by the aroma of spices while basking in the mid-day sun. It really helps to foster an appreciation for the fragrance. For this reason, I would say that a fragrance is certainly more appealing when it has an entertaining and convincing narrative, but it’s not necessary all of the time.
Q: You just released your own fragrance line last year, Navitus, which you must be so proud of. I know that, even with the name, there is a story behind it. Would you like to briefly tell us about that?
Steven: Thank you for always speaking highly about Navitus Parfums in the past! It’s been a total honor for me to be the creative director for the brand’s initial two collections, and it’s something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Navitus is a Latin word that means “passion” and “energy.” I feel like the name perfectly encapsulates and symbolizes the role that fragrances play in our lives. Fragrances transform our aura and give us the energy to go about our day confidently. Lovers of niche fragrances are very passionate about the art, and thus, they find themselves on a journey of olfactory discovery. Navitus also contains the root word “naut” which means traveler. I find that this is apropos considering the navigation that takes place with consumers when it comes to the journey towards discovering fragrances!
[Q]: When you developed your fragrances, do you have some sort of storyline in your mind that guides you? Can you give us a specific example from one of your fragrances?
Steven: Absolutely! The logo for the brand is an infinity symbol. Fragrances are so closely linked to memory, and thus, they commemorate some of life’s best occasions. I wanted to create fragrances that are inspired by the various things that are symbolized by the infinity symbol. For instance, Intimus, one of our fragrances, means Intimate. The infinity symbol, especially in the jewelry industry, stands for undying love. I wanted to create the ultimate intimate scent that would make for the perfect olfactory accessory when worn on a date or a romantic evening. Special attention was placed on the notes, which include vanilla and a toasted sugar accord. I always make it a point to wear this fragrance when I spend a romantic evening with my wife, and let’s just say that it works wonders!
[Q] If you had to pick one fragrance from Navitus that is best suited for a poet/writer, which would it be and why?Steven: I feel that writers and poets especially have the honor of describing things in a figurative and artistic way. I feel like ambiguity and complexity creates subjectivity, and that leaves things open to interpretation. The most complex fragrance in the collection, in my opinion, is Opulentas. This is a fragrance that strikes at the heartstrings of the poet. I often find myself picking up on notes that are not listed in the note breakdown. Some days I pick up on a ripe peach note. Other times, I get a milky sweetness from it. However, the fragrance is rife with patchouli, nagarmotha, and rose. Go figure!
[Q]: You have become quite popular on YouTube, which is in essence just another form of blogging. What is one tip you wish you could have given yourself when you first started out.
Steven: I would certainly tell myself to focus on creating content that I would want to watch and not focus so much on the advice that everyone else is giving me. Fragrance is very subjective, and this subjectivity spills over into the types of videos that people like to watch! Just be true to yourself![Q] And a last question I always like to ask, what song or poem, lyrically, has touched you the most and why?
Steven: When it comes to poetry, I have always been a fan of Robert Frost. Poems like “The Road Not Taken” and “Fire and Ice” have been influential for me. I like Frost’s use of unconventional rhyming patterns, but the content of the poems themselves also take some thought to grasp. Thank you again for the questions, and I look forward to meeting you in person one day! All the best!
Thank You!
Thanks again to Steven from Redolessence for taking the time to interview with our blog! I wanted to leave you with some links below to discover both his blog and his brand!
https://www.youtube.com/user/Redolessence
https://www.instagram.com/redolessence/
https://navitusparfums.com/
Read The Jeremy Fragrance Interview. © TheFragranceWriter.com, 2020 except where noted otherwise. All rights reserved.
