A Harmony of Fragrances
Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito
By: Felicia M. Hazzard
Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito is based in New York, New York that takes the art of perfumery and staying in harmony with nature very seriously. The formulas for their various scents are derived from astrological influences, metaphysical accounts and Egyptian lore. What does this all mean? Basically a stream method is used which by the way was done in the days of Mesopotamia where essential oils from selected plants are extracted. A distillation process is mixed with Absolutes which produces the highest standard currently recognized within the industry.
Whole Fragrance products provide customers with alternatives to traditional high-end merchandise by offering healthy, natural, cruelty-free perfumes and body care solutions. Irma Bustos, founder of Whole Fragrances is a lifelong student of nature. Her passions in researched botany, homoepathic medicine, botanicals, organic perfumes, essential oils, nutrition and natural sciences just to name a few gives her the authority on creating fragrances with the highest quality and why staying in harmony with nature is so important.
According to Irma, society chose ingredients that contaminate or pollute the environment and human beings continue to cut down the rainforest, thus perfumers like herself can no longer find sandalwood for use in perfumes. Irma continued to state that many other precious fragrant plants are in danger of extinction due to the lack of care toward the environment. Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito has been recognized by the Cannes Film Festival in May 2008 featured in the Grammy Suite Attendee Sheet and the Grammy Suite Post Release “One Super Weekend” in February 2008 and spoken highly in a host of magazines.
Irma’s daughter, Vanessa Engel who is the President of Whole Fragrances is busy developing new and exciting products that will give more of a competitive edge but will still have the high quality standards and ingredients that they are known for and their customers expect. I spoke to Vanessa who gave some insight on how they want to see this company expand in the near future. “We want to expand our perfumes into oil based rollettes, organic body washes, natural body oils and bar soaps. Also we want to expand into corporate gifts, day spas and licensing, too”.
Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito is well on their way to doing exactly as they anticipate. These fragrances are full of life and spirit and each of these fragrances, including the men’s collection is definitely a choice pick for the holiday season. They offer a wide range of harmonious fragrances and gift baskets in delightful assortments with soy and beeswax candles.
See Whole Fragrance by La Dolce Vito for more information.
Interview with Vanessa Engel of Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito
by Felicia M. Hazzard
FM: Vanessa, your mother is so passionate and has so much vast knowledge when it comes to a "student of nature". What have you learned so far to stay competitive in this line of business.
One of the major keys I've been learning is always keep networking. You never know when someone may be a great help to your success. Another is tenacity, to never give up even when someone tells you "no". You cannot please everyone, but at least we can make them smell good. Lastly is promoting. It is difficult on a budget to stay out there and be seen by the masses, but it is absolutely essential for any businesss let alone one that is starting out.
FM: Where do you want to take Whole Fragrance in the near future? Are you planning to expand your product line?
We want to expand our perfumes into oil based rollettes, organic body washes, natural body oils and bar soaps. We want to expand into corporate gifts, day spas, and licensing.
FM: Who or what is the meaning of La Dolce y Vito?
La Dolce y Vito are two persons. La Dolce is a nickname for my Mom and means "Sweetie" or "the sweetie" and Vito is the name of our perfumer. However, La Dolce y Vito also is a play on words based on the movie, "La Dolce Vita" the Italian era of fashion, romance, motion pictures and lifestyle of opulence in the 1960's.
FM: Have you done any traveling to exotic locations to assist with your inspiration to new scents to add to the fragrance line?
I personally haven't yet been on a worldwide exploration for exotic fragrant plants. I do have a desire to do so perhaps in the near future, but we have suppliers based in every major corner of the world of perfume.
FM: What advice do you have for anyone trying to get into the fragrance business? Especially people who are passionate about natural and organic products?
They should never give up. There is always room for one more perfume. The trend to go green is inevitable. It is just a matter of time. Hopefully, sooner than later.
Interview with Irma Bustos of Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito
by Felicia M. Hazzard
FH: Irma, you mentioned on your website that "humans should live in harmony with nature". Do you see a problem with humans not living in harmony with nature? If so, how did this problem occur?
We choose not to use ingredients that contaminate or pollute the environment. Human beings continue to cut down the rain forest, thus we perfumers can no longer find sandalwood for our perfumes. Many other precious fragrant plants are in danger of extinction due to the actions of human beings, I would say yes, humans are not living in harmony with nature.
FH: The Italian perfumer that you met in 2004, where did you meet? Also what skills attracted you to work with him/her to create such natural and luscious fragrances.
I met Vito in New York he was introduced to me by an acquaintance, who turned out to be his best friend. When we met, we realized we have strong connections to the creative, emotional and life experience levels. He has worked on pefume projects for 45 years with major perfume houses and private labels that you use everyday, all over the world, including Avon and Estee Lauder. He can easily discern individual essences in complex blends and he is supremely gifted at creating from a verbal description of an emotion. Why wouldn't I chose to work with pure brilliance.
FH: Do you think natural and organic fragrances really have a chance against the well known fragrant houses when it comes to selling and marketing in boutiques and department stores?
Department stores are not our market because women today all work and have no time to got to the mall and department store buyers only buy the safe and tried type of perfume which will all smell about the same. Our market is the internet mall, such as www.etceteraemall.com to launch October 5th. We see women as the major consumers as well as men between the ages of 43 to 75 who have everything. It is a challenge to create and market these organic perfumes, however, once the client smells them, they will fall in love, hands down, with the dynamic aroma and complexity of the natural blend. Ours are expressions, fantasies, and refreshing individualization in a bottle.
FH: Irma, you mentioned on your website that the formulas of your scents are derived from astrological influences, metaphysical accounts and Egyptian lore. What does this exactly mean?
(Note: This is a reference taken from Essence and Alchemy:A Natural History of Perfume(Paperaback) by Mandy Aftel(Author)
This is information by Mary Bellis "Perfume is thousands of years old-the world "perfume" comes from the Latin per fume "through smoke". One of the oldest uses of perfumes comes from the burning of incense and aromatic herbs used in religious services, often the aromatic gumes, frankincense and myrrh, gathered from trees. The Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture followed by the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans. The earliest use of perfume bottles is Egyptian and dates to around 100 BC. The Egyptians invented glass and pefume bottles were one of the first common uses for glass.
Interview with Irma Bustos of Whole Fragrance By La Dolce Y Vito
by Raphaella
'New Love', 'Magical World', 'Collective Spirit', and 'Eco Chic'
“Flowers of Love”, “Spirit of Luck”, “Seven for Men”, and “Poetic Whim”
RB: Can you tell us briefly about yourselves, I understand that you and your daughter are a team?
We love perfume and research for antique recipes, heirloom seeds of fragrant plants and constantly blend oils to perfume our home, shampoos, candles and lotions. We even search for fragrances in the kitchen while we cook, everything has an aroma. Bathing, relaxation and just watching a movie is always an excuse to perfume our atmosphere and create a mood, “AHA”. Even our cats are perfume cats. The youngest cat loves the “Spice of Life” for men and we have samples for her to play with. When we blend perfume our cats are always at hand to inspect the final selection.
RB:Could you please tell us a bit about your background leading up to your career in perfumery?
I loved to smell of roses since I was 2 years old and began collecting perfumes at age 16. For 25 years, I traveled the world designing textiles and searched our opportunities to find perfumes everywhere my job took me. My mother had massive gardens of roses, lavender, lilies, lilacs, pomegranates, gardenias, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach trees and herbs. Vanessa's great grand parents were perfumers from Sweden when they came to America. Some of the antique bottles are still kept in the family pharmacy. As a child, she would crush lemon grass and lavender flowers with a stone and lean over to smell the aromas. As she has very sensitive skin and breaks out easily, we began to make lotions and soaps that we could use without causing a rash. Natural oils became the essential rule to our body care products. In 2004, an acquaintance introduced me to a world-class perfumer with over 40 years experience in the private labeling of prestige perfume both in America and Europe. Our ideas and life experiences were remarkably similar and at times, parallel. Hence, we began to build a relationship and product line that will thrill the novice as well as the elite perfume collectors of tomorrow.
RB: There must have been a defining moment that led you to become a perfumer. How did that happen?
In 2001 and through Vanessa's college experience, her friends would come to our home and rave about the perfume oils Vanessa wore to school. They all were amazed at the complexity of aromas and they encouraged us to find a way to get in the business In 2004, when Estee Lauder died, a friend of mine said “ Estee Lauder died. The industry needs another cosmetic queen” I thought to myself, “How cosmic.” That is the day I met the master perfumer.
RB: Can you tell us what Natural Perfumery means to you?
Natural Perfumery means creating aromas and fragrance scents with a multitude of pure, natural and organic essential oils, fixatives, carrier oils and alcohols possible. Herbs, moses, barks, roots, seeds, flowers, leaves, twigs, buds can each provide a fragrant oil to be used in the making of perfume. It is not as easy as one might think. The quality and purity of essential oils can vary naturally, geographically, environmentally, climate, soil storage, shipping conditions. It' a delicate art that requires exacting skill, refinement and vast creative range.
RB: What led you to perfumery, especially natural perfumery?
Love, fantasy, folklore and the idea that people thousand of years ago valued perfume. This kindled a passion so big, we cannot live one single day without perfume. The moment our feet touch the floor in the morning till the moment we fall asleep, we think of perfume. Perfume is sacred to us. We are blessed to love it so much. We are grateful for the beauty, fantasy and exhilaration perfume brings to our every day. And we explore the sultry, exotic scents as well as light, crisp essences of rose, citrus, and refreshing sensations of jasmine, patchouli and lavender.
RB: Tell us about some of your favorites of the fragrances you’ve created.
Our refreshing perfumes reflect the four new trends in perfumery: 'New Love”, Magical World”, Collective Spirit”, and “Eco Chic” These are “Flowers of Love”, “Spirit of Luck”, “Seven for Men” and “Poetic Whim”. “Seven for Men” Organic blend of essential oils and organic alcohol with natural fixatives.
“Poetic Whim” for Women An Organic blend of essential oils and organic alcohol with natural fixatives. “Spice of Life” is a romantic fantasy, “Mystica” is a soulful dramatic scent and “Isha”is a remarkable spiritual essence.
RB: As a perfumer, where do you find your inspiration?
Finding new sources of fresh essential oils.
RB: Were you inspired by any one perfumer?
Jean Paul Gaultier
RB: What was your favorite fragrance growing up?
Guerlain “Shalimar”
RB: What is the most amazing fragrance you have ever smelled?
Guerlain “Champs-Elysées”
RB: Why do you think so many women and men are part of this fragrance
explosion, especially the niche and natural trend?
According to the Institute of Smell, founded by Howard Hughes, perfume helps accurate memory recall, makes people more positive, and helps women become more satisfied with their personal erotic fantasies. Perfume containing jasmine and peppermint also help baby-boomers with mid-life crises and helps them exercise more, making them healthier. Some studies also show that some form of aroma therapy is helpful to children and makes their memory better. Health concerns, cruelty to animals, aesthetic sense, the power of attraction and the sense of luxury and glamor draw women and men to an explosion to a natural fragrance niche market. The idea that a scent can compel or set a mood is the invisible hook that sustains the natural market.
RB: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you or your perfumes that we have not discussed?
RB: Where are your fragrances available for sale at and what is your web site?
Our fragrances are on sale on our websites:
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us!
A Harmony of Fragrances
Interviews with Irma Bustos and Vanessa Engel
of Whole Fragrances by La Dolce Y Vito
Followed by Interviews with Irma Bustos by Raphaella
Vanessa Engel
