People often ask me where I get the ideas for my fragrances. The truth is, I don't "get" them—I discover them. Every LEHMANN DESIGN HAUS scent is an olfactive sculpture, a meticulously architected blend that begins with a feeling, a memory, or an image. The goal isn't just to make a scent; it's to design a moment.
Phase 1: The Spark of Inspiration
For me, a fragrance often begins with a single word or a feeling. For our scent, Palo Santo + Sage, the inspiration was a sacred journey—the soft light, the quiet air, the lingering scent of clove and cedarwood. I wasn't just thinking of "woody notes"; I was trying to capture the feeling of contemplation and hushed intimacy. This initial spark is the most vital step, as it becomes the guiding principle for the entire creation process.
Phase 2: Building the Blueprint
Once I have the inspiration, I begin to build the scent's "blueprint." This is a rigorous and highly intentional process that involves choosing and combining individual notes to tell a story. I think of the fragrance in three parts:
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Top Notes: The initial impression. These are the lightest notes you smell immediately, like the first glimpse of a room. For Palo Santo + Sage, I chose a bright, crisp note of orange and dried sage to give an herbaceous flare.
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Middle Notes: The heart of the scent. These notes appear after the top notes dissipate and form the core of the fragrance's character. I selected rich, warm notes of clove and spice to evoke the feeling of protection and security.
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Base Notes: The lingering foundation. These are the deep, long-lasting notes that ground the entire composition. For this scent, I used notes of guaiac wood and cedarwood to give it a rich, lingering warmth.
Phase 3: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection
This is where the magic—and the meticulousness—happens. I spend months, sometimes a year, blending and re-blending to get the formula just right. The fragrance must be balanced, complex, and true to the initial inspiration. I'm not afraid to walk away from a blend that's almost perfect. It has to be 'perfected.'
This rigorous process is the cornerstone of what I do. It's an unyielding commitment to creativity, ensuring that every LEHMANN DESIGN HAUS fragrance is not just a smell, but a journey for the senses.
