'Extrait' is the working title of the first fragrance I have made for myself. I wanted to make the scent of incense, or resins, burnt in an Ancient Greek temple. It is austere - a surprise, as I thought the element of sacrifice in the use of incense would be redolent of devastation. It is far from that and intellectual rather than emotional.
I can't quite remember when the ancient world began to intrigue me but I do remember browsing the old wooden shelves of Caversham Library's children's library for stories of Greece and Rome. Later at university I took classics in my first year, but not a classical language which I have since regretted. I should have studied Greek and I could lost myself more thoroughly in the world that fascinates me so much.
I have a longterm fascination with lotions and potions as well and dreamed of my own personal scents, but the ancient world began to creep back into my ideas after a dream my husband had in which he said my name was Sibylline. Now this is name to give me a lot to think about ...
