Scent World

Dita is the biggest name in burlesque since Gypsy Rose Lee. She is known for revitalizing the art form, mesmerizing sold-out theaters around the world with spectacles that evoke fantasy and freedom. Born Heather Sweet in Michigan, Dita posed on the cover of Playboy in the early 2000s and soon became fashion’s “it” girl. Her book, Your Beauty Mark, is a New York Times bestseller, and her latest fragrance, Scandalwood, is a collaboration with Heretic Parfum’s Douglas Little.This episode is split into two parts hosted by Marianne Mychaskew, who runs communications at Scentbird.In Part 1, we immerse ourselves in Dita’s enchanting world. She shares why she believes perfume is a tool for you to become whoever you want to be. She reveals her most memorable scents, the iconic mid-century women who inspired her, and how she developed her signature look.Highlights:• “There’s never been a time in my life when I haven’t used fragrance”• Dita’s early love for elegance and femininity• Dita’s most memorable scents growing up in the 80s• Dita’s first bottle of expensive perfume, which became her signature scent for years• Smell like your French boyfriend’s mother? “Get rid of the man or get rid of the perfume”• How Dita wears (and layers) perfume• Good girl perfumes vs. bad girl perfumes• Dita’s own fragrances, including Erotique, a cult classic• Going against the grain with celebrity fragrances• Dita’s Playboy cover and rise to fame• Reviving the garter belt and the power of red lip stick• “You can become whoever you want to be”• Developing the signature Dita Von Teese look• Inspiration from Bettie Page and first bondage photoshoot• Being made fun of for wearing vintage clothing• Breakthrough career moments, including biggest burlesque tours ever• Starring in Taylor Swift’s “Bejeweled” video• Why Dita felt attracted to past vs. present beauty icons• Scent Connection: Scandalous Edition• The iconic women from the Golden Age of Cinema who inspired DitaFeatured Fragrance:Scandalwood by Heretic ParfumSoak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

In Part 2, we explore Dita’s collaboration with perfumer and Heretic Parfum founder, Douglas Little. Together, Douglas and Dita tell the story behind their latest fragrance, Scandalwood. They talk about their creative process, finding inspiration in vintage erotica, and why the social revolution of the 1920s made it such a rich period for perfumery.Highlights:• The story behind Dita and Douglas’ collaboration• How the industry tends to approach celebrity fragrances• The connection between Erotique and Scandalwood• Why the 1920s was a fascinating time to make perfumes• What is the fragrance of the 1920s Paris sex clubs?• Why Douglas abandoned his 100%-naturals approach with this fragrance• Dita’s direction: “add more champagne”• How you know you’re finished with a fragrance• Dita, Douglas, and a chance encounter in the elevatorFeatured Fragrance:⁠Scandalwood by Heretic Parfum⁠Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Mona introduced the world to Middle Eastern scent layering. She came into the limelight as the co-founder of Huda Beauty, and in 2018, founded Kayali, which translates to “my imagination” in Arabic. Propelled by the wildly popular fragrance Vanilla 28, the brand is known for its decadent, luxurious gourmands that demonstrate Mona’s belief that “perfume is pleasure.”In this episode, she sits down with Marianne Mychaskiw, who runs communications at Scentbird. She recommends fragrances from her 4,000+ bottle personal library, shares tips like favorite layering combinations, and reveals her newest collection: Oudgasm, an invitation to lean into oud.Highlights:• Mona’s recent wedding and inspiration for The Wedding Collection• The first fragrance Mona ever wore• Mona’s 4,000+ bottle fragrance collection: can she beat the world record?• Best-kept secrets: Mona’s favorite niche fragrance brands• Mona, the Queen of Layering, shares her favorite scent combinations• A recommendation for a Middle Eastern brand you may not know about• Surprises from launching Kayali fragrances around the world• Mona’s entrepreneurial journey, from PR to hair salon owner to founder• Fragrance Tips & Tricks: how to apply, layer, and store your fragrances• Fragrance Tips & Tricks: how to build your fragrance collection• Fragrance Tips & Tricks: reading top, mid, and base notes• Scent Spotlight: Vanilla 28, Yum Pistachio Gelato, Eden Juicy Apple, and the (new!) Oudgasm collection• The perfect layer topper• How many mods does it take to create the perfect Kayali fragrance?• The scent inspired by Middle Eastern desserts• Working with Olivier Cresp, Master Perfumer and father of modern gourmand fragrances• Mona reveals the newest Kayali collection: Oudgasm, featuring 4 fragrances• Take scentscaping to the next level, with perfumed oud wood chips known as “bakhoor”• How to start experimenting with oud scents• Why oud is referred to as “liquid gold” in the fragrance industry• Scent Connection: Arabian Royalty Edition, with perfume layering ideas for various occasions• Mona reflects on lessons learned building Kayali and shares why we need more women decision makers in the beauty industry• Mona’s advice for women who dream of building a beauty brandFeatured Fragrances:Vanilla 28 by Kayali‍Yum Pistachio Gelato by KayaliEden Juicy Apple by KayaliOudgasm Collection by Kayali (New!)Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Can a fragrance do more than smell good? That’s the question behind “functional fragrances,” which are developed to elicit a certain emotion, mood, or cognitive state. Malaika and her team are pioneering this space, tapping into decades of neuroscience research to explore how scent can make you feel better. But they don’t stop there. They bring in an understanding of cultural nuances to create evocative scents that resonate across communities and foster rituals that fit into everyone’s daily life.In this episode, Malaika sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who runs integrated marketing at Scentbird. She talks about how she went from Wall Street trader to founder, how to deal with burnout and perfectionism, and scents inspired by places like Kenya and Brazil.Highlights:• Brittney on the need for wellness in today’s world• Scent is our strongest sense• Scents you can feel: Can scent help you sleep or fall in love?• Using neuroscience to create scents that have wellness benefits• The cultural nuances around scent preferences• Daily wellness rituals don’t have to be complicated• Why the fragrance industry is ripe for an injection of soul and wellness• Malaika’s wake-up call during her time as a Wall Street bond trader• The Brown Girl Jane founders and the inspiration to start the brand• Dealing with burnout and the pressures of perfectionism• The founding team’s vision for serving communities in a more inclusive way• The big question: Who is Jane?• Malaika’s mother, her influence, and why she was ahead of her time• Fragrances Malaika gravitated towards as a teenager and young adult• Scent Spotlight: The Wanderlust Collection: Casablanca, Bahia, Lamu• Scent Spotlight: Dawn, Dusk, Dare, and scents for wellness benefits throughout the day• The vanilla scent that gives you an energy boost• The lychee scent that takes you to an intimate, confident, and sexy place• Scent Connection: ‘90s Nostalgia Edition• Rapid-fire impressions on nostalgic Victoria’s Secret, A&F, and Bath & Body Works fragrances• The journey of getting closer to your true selfFeatured Fragrances:Casablanca by Brown Girl JaneBahia by Brown Girl JaneLamu by Brown Girl JaneDawn by Brown Girl JaneDusk by Brown Girl JaneDare by Brown Girl JaneWanderlust Trio by Brown Girl Jane

Jo has one of the most recognizable names in the perfume industry. Starting out with handmade scents from her kitchen, she grew Jo Malone London into a cult classic brand worn by royals. She sold the company to Estée Lauder in 1999, and after stepping away, found the inspiration to start a new venture, Jo Loves. It’s a rekindling of her deeply personal relationship with fragrance.In this episode, Jo sits down with Mariya Nurislamova, Scentbird’s co-founder and CEO. She reflects on what makes her a successful entrepreneur, tells the story of the scent that changed her forever, and reveals a new creation that is revolutionizing how people apply fragrance.Highlights:• Jo’s story• Jo’s extraordinary sense of smell: “I could smell if the dog was sick”• Dyslexia, synesthesia, and fragrance as a superpower• Seeing color for smell?• The magician’s assistant and early entrepreneurial roots• The promise Jo made to herself• As a 16-year-old, a dramatic scene gets Jo fired from her job at a flower shop• Full circle: the story of No. 42 Elizabeth Street• Ready for fragrance tapas? Nothing to eat, only to smell• Why brands need to create a “first kiss” moment• Jo’s tips for scenting your home• The scent that changed Jo forever• How to seal the deal with a retail partner? Douse their Burberry coat in Pomelo• Jo’s go-to fragrance notes• Why life is not about succeeding or failing• A fragrance paintbrush? A revolutionary new idea• How Jo thinks about packaging and the story behind the red dot• Scent Spotlight: Mango Thai Lime, White Rose & Lemon Leaves, and Number Forty-Two The Flower Shop• What would the Union Jack smell like?• Mariya tells Jo a quick story and Jo recreates it in 5 fragrance notes or less• Don’t worry about the teacher who didn’t believe in you as a kidFeatured Fragrances:⁠Pomelo by Jo Loves⁠⁠Jo by Jo Loves⁠⁠Mango Thai Lime by Jo Loves⁠⁠White Rose & Lemon Leaves by Jo Loves⁠⁠Number Forty-Two The Flower Shop by Jo Loves⁠Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

David says that when he started out, he knew nothing about perfume, business, or the perfume business. From his Bushwick apartment, he began making fragrances for friends, and at one point, joined forces with his wife, Kavi Moltz, to bring D.S. & Durga to life. They brought together their backgrounds in music and architecture to create scents as immersive experiences, or what they refer to as “armchair travel.” In this episode, David sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who runs integrated marketing at Scentbird. He talks about what it took to break into the industry, how he became a self-taught perfumer, and his exploration with fragrance ingredients, including the most expensive ingredient in the world.Highlights:• D.S. & the Hindu Goddess that inspired the name• The conversation that started D.S. & Durga• Remembering a smell… and then re-creating it• The worst thing David has ever smelled• Perfume and music as “invisible art forms”• The smell of Rockaway Beach• Perfume as armchair travel• How many perfumers are there in the world?• A look into how David creates scents• The most expensive fragrance ingredient in the world• Scent Spotlight: I Don’t Know What, Debaser, Pistachio• A simple fragrance formula and an overview of fragrance structure• The fragrance that’s 40% oil• A very toxic ingredient and the most common ingredient• Can you smell a rainbow?• David’s signature scent with hints of Great Western cowboy music• Finding the beauty in concrete• Advice for starting a perfume brandFeatured Fragrances:I Don’t Know What by D.S. & DurgaDebaser by D.S. & DurgaPistachio by D.S. & DurgaSoak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

What would Endor, the moon in Star Wars, smell like? How about Central Perk, the coffee house in Friends? Questions like these start the creative process at Homesick, a home fragrance brand with a knack for capturing places and moments. Whether it’s your favorite series, college town, or even wedding celebration, they know how to evoke a memory that transports you there.In this episode, Lauren sits down with Heather Hyatt, who runs social media at Scentbird. She tells the story behind their cult-classic Star Wars and Friends collections. She shares a method for crowdsourcing nostalgia, techniques for making candles last longer, and scent recommendations for popular zodiac signs.Go to https://www.scentbird.com/horoscope for curated scent picks for your zodiac sign.Highlights:Heather’s connection to Homesick during collegeThe Homesick origin story: Florida, Georgia, and TexasCrowdsourcing ideas to make candles feel authenticThe surprising finishing touch in the Chicago candleDoughnuts and coffee... in a candle? (The Dunkin’ collaboration)Lauren’s earliest scent memories: snow days and the smell of gasolineWhy the Boston candle has a special meaning for LaurenGrapefruit, black pepper, and cinnamonCandle care: how to get the most out of your candlesMusic, moodboards, and candles are made at HomesickDeciding what to use for top, mid, and base notesScenting bridal shops and weddingsScent Spotlight: Let’s Toast, Gone Hiking, New York City, Central Perk, and Star WarsHow Let’s Toast helped Lauren manifest her own engagementThe smell of concrete and department storesThe smell of Central Perk, the coffee house in FriendsWhat it was like to collaborate with LucasfilmThe smell of iconic Star Wars locations: Tatooine, Endor, and the Death StarA special treat: Heather does a Chewbacca impressionScent Connection, Zodiac EditionScent notes for zodiac signsFeatured Candles:Let’s Toast by HomesickGone Hiking by HomesickNew York City by HomesickFriends Central Perk by HomesickThe Star Wars Collection by HomesickSoak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

The root of the word “perfume," Ancient Egyptian perfume rituals, and the use of galbanum in the 13th century, with Sue Phillips, who carved her space in the industry as a "scentrepreneur.” It’s a term she coined to describe her work developing fragrances for luxury brands like Tiffany & Co., Lancome, and Burberry, and celebrities like Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes.In this “Summer School” special bonus episode, Sue sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who runs integrated marketing at Scentbird. She shares the early history of perfume as a ritual, the story of bringing Tiffany’s first fragrance to life, and how men can break free old-time scent preferences.Highlights:The root of the word “perfume”Ancient Egyptian perfume ritualsThe use of galbanum in the 13th centuryWhy Grasse became fertile ground for perfumeryHow Sue’s love of fragrance beganThe accident that led to an “aha!” momentAmbient scenting and why it worksThe story behind Tiffany’s anniversary fragranceWorking with perfumer Jacques PolgeFinding a fragrance that suits youUnderstanding fragrance familiesKeeping a pulse on what’s new in fragranceEver been invited to an immersive scent dinner?Training your nose and uncovering your scent preferences“Not all roses are the same”Scent Spotlight: Fresh, Floral, Woodsy, Spicy, and FruityMen can love florals, tooWhy so many people love vanillaSue’s book: “The Power of Perfume”Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Azzi is known as the perfumer for the world’s biggest celebrities. Her creations help Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom get into character for movie roles and serve as personal fragrances for Kylie Minogue and Cindy Crawford. Her bespoke work starts at £15,000, but for the first time, she is making her scents more widely available with The Perfumer's Story, a limited-edition collection launching on Scentbird in October 2023.In this episode, Azzi sits down with Mariya Nurislamova, Scentbird’s co-founder and CEO. She takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to work with iconic stars to develop their scents. She talks about launching the Agent Provocateur fragrance back in the early 2000s, how she bottled the smell of rain on earth, and a tip to increase your pheromones.Highlights:• The celebrity that calls Azzi a “white witch”• A behind-the-scenes look into bespoke perfumery for celebrities• What Johnny Depp is like one on one• The “stinky” fragrance that helped Helena Bonham Carter get into character• The fragrance that helped Johnny Depp play a 200-year-old vampire in a Tim Burton movie• The surprising scent for Helena Bonham Carter to play Miss Havisham in “Great Expectations”• How Azzi approaches scent creation (hint: it’s not through fragrance families)• The fragrance based on poisonous flowers• Does Azzi have psychic powers?• Why creating a bespoke perfume for Cindy Crawford was a challenge• Blood, sweat, and fecal matter: the fragrance for Jude Law to play Henry VIII• Early scent memories: England, India, and the smell of rain on earth• The opposite of trendy: bringing the Agent Provocateur fragrance to life• Azzi's all-time favorite scent notes (and combinations) • The intimate dinner at Kylie Minogue’s house• The celebrity that motivated Azzi to start her own brand• The story behind The Perfumer’s Story• Bringing heritage and edginess to the brand’s design• Why it’s hard to find a perfume that truly matches you• Scent Spotlight: Sequoia Wood, Twisted Iris, and Amber Molecule• “People stop me on the streets to ask what this scent is…”• The packaging and why you’ll want to keep it forever• The fragrance for fun-loving, bohemian, and eccentric people• Azzi’s tips for wearing fragrance: spots, sweat, and pheromones• How to smell like Kaia Jordan Gerber• The scent Azzi used to wear for bedtime stories to her kids• Scent Connection, All-Time Favorites Edition• The scent that Benedict Cumberbatch loves: “it tells a thousand stories”• What’s next for AzziFeatured Fragrances:Sequoia WoodTwisted IrisAmber MoleculeOld BooksSoak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Along the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, the Côte d'Azur exudes an irresistible aura of sensuality. This timeless stretch of coastal paradise, often referred to as the French Riviera, is where Veronique spent her childhood. Now she captures the richness of the region into scents that spark joy and remind us to add beauty to everyday life.In this episode, Veronique sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who runs integrated marketing at Scentbird. She opens up about what it took to start her own brand after a career at the helm of L'Oréal, Vera Wang, and Estée Lauder. We uncover the essence of her perfumes: a souvenir from Tunisia, a rose that can only be harvested for thirty days a year, and a sensation of pleasure through the G-spot.Highlights:• The love of life in the Mediterranean, from the markets to the cafes• How to make any moment of life more joyful• Overcoming the fear of becoming an entrepreneur• “I was not growing any more as an individual”• At L'Oréal, falling in love with fragrance as a career• The night Veronique was offered the chance to train with perfumers• Working on Acqua di Gio, which propelled Giorgio Armani into fragrance• Building a brand that taps into emotional connection• Why our sense of smell is so instinctive• Luxury is not about being “rare” or “distant”• The aura of Veronique Gabai fragrances• Generosity in action: ethical sourcing and respecting nature• Very few companies are 100% sustainable• Growing up in Antibes, surrounded by beauty• “My mother was an independent woman at a time when that was difficult”• Parents were Jewish and had to hide during the war: hunger, fear, and flight• Loving life and loving people• Scent Spotlight: La Point G, Souvenirs de Tunisie, Noire de Mai, Sexy Garrigue, and Sur la Plage• The scent that pays homage to women: curves, pleasure, and the G-spot• Why women’s pleasure is not like what we see in the movies• The orange blossom that connects Tunisia and France• The rose centifolia that can only be harvested early mornings in May• What a Mediterranean forest feels like• The scent that captures the sensation of a day on the beach• Scent Connection, Côte d'Azur Edition• The smell of pleasure (and womanhood)• Why you shouldn’t wear fragrance for othersFeatured Fragrances:La Point G by Veronique GabaiSouvenirs de Tunisie by Veronique GabaiNoire de Mai by Veronique GabaiSexy Garrigue by Veronique GabaiSur la Plage by Veronique GabaiSoak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.