Sustainability

There are many actions that can be taken in favor of sustainability, but the most important one comes from the consumer: buy responsibly. Any product, no matter how hard the producer tries to make it sustainable, will eventually become waste and have an impact, however small, on the environment.

If you are as sensitive to the environment as we are, you probably shop in places that can guarantee their vegetables are sourced locally, implying a low CO₂ impact. It is difficult to do the same in perfumery: the precious natural ingredients we love come from all over the world, and sourcing them locally is not an option. We must also question the sustainability of the processes that transform natural materials into essential oils or absolutes, as well as all other ingredients, whether natural or synthetic, considering CO₂ emissions, water waste, and more. We have chosen to work with a supplier of raw materials who carefully monitors these processes, ensuring that the most respectful practices for the environment are in place.

Our packaging is made from FSC-certified paper and printed with non-toxic inks. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international organization that promotes and certifies the responsible management of the world’s forests: for each tree cut down, a new one is planted.

Long ago, we eliminated the use of cellophane. Now, our boxes are protected by a paper sleeve and can be reused for storing items instead of being discarded. We chose to offer not a recycled object destined to be trashed again, but a beautiful box made from responsible sources, designed to be repurposed. Because alcohol is flammable, perfume bottles require protective packaging; we believe it should be durable and reusable.

The glass bottle is easily recyclable. Regarding raw materials, especially natural ones, we work with a supplier who participates in a program that ensures the application of Company Responsibility guidelines, both in terms of sustainable development and respect for human resources. These values are verified not only internally but also among the suppliers they source from around the world.

Cruelty on Animals

We do not test on animals, actually, we cannot. Since 2003, EU law has prohibited the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals. Perfume is considered a cosmetic.

Many consumers are unaware of this law and still ask about animal testing. We are grateful that in the EU, nobody can test on animals, and no cosmetic tested on animals outside the EU can enter the EU market.

Let’s touch on another animal-related topic. In the great history of perfumery, several glorious animal-derived ingredients were once used, often involving varying degrees of cruelty. What was acceptable to the sensibility of the past must now be reconsidered through a modern lens.

Ambergris: this is a natural secretion of sperm whales that floats in the sea for an indefinite time before washing ashore. No whales are harmed to obtain it. It is a rare and expensive ingredient, difficult to use in industrial perfumery due to the impossibility of obtaining consistent batches. For this reason, when you see “ambergris” listed in a perfume today, it is usually a synthetic substitute. This is also the case in my perfumes. I do have a batch of real ambergris aging in my laboratory; if I decide to use it, I will clearly communicate this, especially for those of you who are vegan.

Musk: I use synthetic musk substitutes instead of natural musk. This is not only an ethical choice, since obtaining natural musk involves killing the musk deer, but also a practical one, as the hunting of these animals is now strictly regulated by CITES and forbidden in most countries.

Castoreum and Civet: both are derived from animal glands, and their extraction is not cruelty-free. I have therefore replaced these wonderful but unethical ingredients with safe, animal-friendly alternatives.

Respecting Human Beings

Human beings are the greatest value in my perfumes, not only because connecting with our inner humanity is my purpose, but also because you could not enjoy my creations without the people who make them possible: those who fill the bottles, check the allergens, mix the materials, and hand-filter the perfumes.

I am fortunate to have a team of six helping me, some employed, others collaborating as freelancers under Dutch law.

I chose to work with suppliers based in Italy for raw materials, secondary packaging, the manufacturing process, and the logistic center, as this gives me confidence in their adherence to some of the most advanced labor laws in the world, ensuring respect for workers’ rights. As mentioned earlier, my supplier of raw materials is also engaged in a program promoting Company Responsibility, guaranteeing respect for human resources both internally and among their global network of suppliers.

Difference Is a Plus

Throughout my life, I have lived in several European countries, and I feel blessed to have always been surrounded by people different from me in cultural background, religion, political opinion, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

I believe in individuals for their unique talents, ideas, and creative energy, regardless of their opinions, appearance, or gender.

Influencers

As a small-scale company with a limited communication budget, we are fortunate to rely on a network of friends who share our passion and knowledge of perfumery, and whose opinions we greatly value.

Given the artistic and emotional nature of our brand, we feel that paid partnerships with influencers would not be coherent with our not-commercial nature.

We maintain a list of trusted people, some with large followings, others with smaller ones, whose taste aligns with our vision of beauty in perfumery. We send them samples of new releases, with no obligation to review our creations if they do not wish to, or if they feel it would not suit their audience.

We believe that an honest, spontaneous opinion is the best form of communication. Moreover, we think that influencers promoting perfumes without a critical view can be misleading, as it gives the impression that every perfume is easy to wear. Ours are not, and we are glad when influencers highlight that our creations are very special, therefore not for everyone.

Perfumery Code of Ethics

We support the Perfumery Code of Ethics promoted by Christophe Laudamiel, which addresses essential and specific issues related to the art and profession of perfume creation.