La Fleur by Livvy is an all-natural, small-batch fragrance line owned by Olivia Larson, an independent perfumer I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with over the past several months.
I was instantly drawn to the line’s concepts – flowers, travel, and artistic impressions – but what made me reach out to her and become even more interested in her creations was her latest work, A Walk in Giverny, an award-winning fragrance inspired by the Giverny gardens that were so loved by the impressionist painter Claude Monet. Designed in collaboration with perfumer Andrej Babicky, this seemed like a soulful union of scent and art, and, as I read the notes and its description as a chypre, I became even more interested and instantly loved it (read my full review of A Walk in Giverny here).
I then dove in to samples of The Fleur and Travel collections, and I have enjoyed spraying and taking in every one of them.
My two favorites from The Fleur collection are Fleur de L’Amour and Fleur d’Aspiration, which are quite different from one another, but share a lush and charming sandalwood note. Olivia’s lavish use of this material adds a smooth complexity that perfectly blends with the floral notes of choice in the compositions.
Fleur de L’Amour is a voluptuous interpretation of the rose note. This rose is dainty, playful, and velvety with specks of strawberry and dustings of bitter cocoa. The sandalwood adds a pleasant roundness that confers a smooth and sophisticated aura.
Fleur d’Aspiration is centered on frangipani, whose aroma is one of Olivia’s oldest memories (read more about this in the interview below). It feels both classic and exotic with powdery and slightly tropical nuances. Frangipani notes can be quite rich and heady, but the overall sensation here is soft and intimate, making the perfume easy to wear. Once again, sandalwood adds a milky touch and elegant depth.
As part of the Travel collection, I enjoyed Havana, citrusy and floral with delightful hints of tobacco, and, especially, Puck’s Potion, an enticing herbal and hay-like elixir that features lily, violet leaf, and oakmoss. I plan on talking more about Puck’s Potion, so stay tuned!
Olivia’s passion for white flowers really comes through in creations like Forbidden Love and Fleur de Seduire. These fragrances deserve to be tried by those who love white floral notes as well as those who do not but are still open to changing their mind. They are realistically natural and elegantly whispered.
Interview
I spoke with Olivia about her passions, inspirations, and what drives her to create fragrances every day.
Q. Olivia, where in India are you from and what are your fondest scent memories?
Olivia: Damiana, I was born and raised in Kolkata formerly named Calcutta in India, dubbed as the “City of Joy” by French Author, Dominique Lapierre. My fondest scent memories are indeed from my childhood in India. A memory I love to share is of the wonderful frangipani tree (plumeria) that grew right outside my grandmother’s bedroom window. On hot Indian summer afternoons, the blossoms would float indoors bringing in their precious aroma, while I would be engrossed in my grandmother’s company, hearing tales of bygone eras. I was very close to my nana, so this is one of my fondest scent memories. I also remember going to the farmer’s markets and smelling the spices, herbs, fruits, flowers, and meats.
Q. Why did you enter the fragrance industry and why did you decide to focus on natural perfumery?
Olivia: I launched La Fleur By Livvy in the summer of 2013. I had been searching for more unique fragrances that would be intimate to wear and free of chemicals and synthetics. I have a very sensitive nose and also suffered from severe allergies, so most mainstream designer brands cause headaches or nausea. I soon realized I was not the only one with these problems. Also, potent silage is not for everyone, so I wanted to appeal to those who prefer softer fragrances. I realized it takes a while to also train your nose to be able to notice and sniff out the less prominent notes and appreciate them. I also started to research essential oils and their health benefits along with Ayurveda. I love flowers and thought I could combine their use with my passion for perfumes; I sought to create harmonious blends of natural raw ingredients that would be uplifting too. Naturals are magical; they are in a way still living and evolve beautifully on your skin as the notes come in contact with the air and your skin. These are the reasons why I am so drawn to natural perfumery.
Q. What drives you and inspires you to create fragrances?
Olivia: I love exploring and discovering new raw materials. When I become fixated on a subject for a new fragrance, it takes months for me to explore that idea or concept and start formulating. I find inspiration from my garden (a humble work in progress), the outdoors, places, people, and art. I am a hopeless romantic at heart filled with a very vivid imagination. I also find inspiration from ancient Indian history.
Q. Let’s talk about your collections. Is one of them especially close to your heart and do you have any favorite fragrances from those you created?
Olivia: My current favorite collection is the Travel Collection and my favorite fragrance is Forbidden Love.
Q. Do you have any perfumer role models?
Olivia: This is a tough question and I think it would be unfair to name just one. There are many brilliant perfumers I admire and each one is unique in his or her own way. One I’d like to mention is Mr. Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain – I wish I could travel back in time to meet him and learn from him.
Q. How do you see the future of women in perfumery? What advice do you have for women wishing to pursue your same career?
Olivia: I think it’s absolutely fabulous to see more and more women emerge from behind the shadows in the perfume industry, not only as master perfumers but also as entrepreneurs who venture out to open their own house brands, perfumeries, and studios especially in niche and artisan markets. In the past, perfumery was dominated by men who mostly created fragrances for women. It was a craft that was originally handed down from father to son, not daughter. In fact, top fragrance houses and brands only hired male perfumers.
I would tell other women interested in pursuing this path to follow their heart. If perfumery is calling you, explore it and check out your options for turning it into a career choice or a hobby. Many perfume schools, online courses, and workshops are available to help get your feet wet.
Q. What does a typical day look like for you?
Olivia: My typical day may be slightly different from that of other perfumers because I also have a full-time job. My days are long and hectic as I juggle many different things. As far as perfume daily rituals go; I get my morning cup of coffee, sign into my email account, and catch up with messages. Checking in with my team daily is very important. I am on social media, reach out to customers, fill orders, order supplies, work on ideas for new perfumes, and deal with whatever else lands on my plate. I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it.
Q. Olivia, can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming releases?
Olivia: We will be releasing two new fragrances this fall and winter. We have already posted a teaser about one of them on IG! The creation will be called “The Other Side of Me”, so keep an eye out for more social media teasers and clues in the coming weeks.
Thank you so much for your time and this opportunity to speak with you about my passion!
Olivia Larson is a self-taught perfumer who handcrafts and fills all her fragrances in small batches in Colorado. All creations are animal cruelty free. Discover more on La Fleur by Livvy’s website.
I reviewed both the Fleur and Travel collections from the discovery sets I personally purchased.
The first picture is my own, the second was kindly provided by Olivia Larson.
