bespoke TESTIMONIALS
JON NEWTON (Waiheke Island)
"I was given a gift consultation for The Olfactory last year and really enjoyed the experience. What a great idea. I landed up with a range of fascinating ingredients. A few were already my favourites but hey! There are so many more out there. The finished product felt very special. The fact that Virginia put in a lot of care and was extremely pleasant for what could have been a frightening experience to your average 75 year old male is all to her credit.
I treasure the finished product and now it’s finished I’m ordering a refill. Go well Virginia and The Olfactory.
Nga Mihi
ANGELA PEARCE (Maungaturoto)
I recently had the privilege of receiving a consultation with Virginia at The Olfactory where I was treated like royalty, seated in a most delightful space, (from another mysterious, wonderful world), was asked a series of questions, all forming a guide to the different essences that would make up my own personalised perfume. After a process of elimination we got it down to about 10 oils to be blended and put together creating my unique scent. Amazing! Every time I wear this perfume I feel strong and feminine and invariably people comment on it.
All in all it was an exclusive and exceptionally pleasant experience. I thoroughly recommend you consider treating a loved one, or yourself, to a marvellous investment.
ANNA SCHAUMKEL (Awareness Mentor - Australia)
The Bespoke experience with Virginia and Aroha was so exquisite. The consultation is deeply sensual and honouring to the feminine spirit. It is very hypnotic on all the senses because these two women know their craft so well. Virginia is truly a wonderful facilitator of the process, and I found answers about myself swim up from the depths, things I hadn't really thought about and yet were so important in the creation of my fragrance and wellbeing. Aroha never interrupted the consultation, instead listening to what was being formed in words, she would quietly choose the oils and place them ceremoniously together to be smelt, tested, enjoyed later. Together, Virginia and Aroha create a very unique experience that I can only describe as Alchemy.
It does not end there because then, the perfume arrives. Wrapped beautifully with my brief and description of each of the oils. This exquisite parfum is alive and this is where it becomes so interesting. Virginia had sent me a text reminding me to be attentive with my intention when wearing my parfum and that it would take 28 days to notice the effects of the oils properties as new synapses are formed in the brain. As I write this, it is exactly 28 days.
So this is what happened. I have reawakened my creativity. I notice I feel more balanced and connected with my intuition again. I spend time infusing my daily intentions into the vibrational energy of my parfum. It is divine to wear and supportive on so many levels.
I would recommend the Bespoke experience to everyone who wants to be empowered, supported and blessed with a unique fragrance that states this is me. Forever grateful.
Arohanui
KYRA CLARKE (Graphic Designer - Northland)
Just a small note to say thank you again for providing such an amazing experience and beautiful, BEAUTIFUL outcome!
I feel that the perfume you created is so ‘right’! It feels like a part of me. I just feel so connected to it!
Not only is it feminine, empowering and beautiful – it is testament to the level of your abilities, being able to balance the ingredients so well and create a fragrance that truly embodies someone!
I will never forget the experience and will forever treasure your gift!
Arohanui, xx
JENNEY WILSON (Langs Beach)
My time with Gini and Aroha at The Olfactory remains as one of those really special experiences which I hold dear and wish more people could experience.
The whole process was very personal, thoughtful, caring, surprising and fun, and produced a really special and unique outcome.
I am so happy with my perfume, and value knowing it is truly created from natural products nature has gifted us.
On a very personal note, the final result is much more than a perfume that resonates with me.
I love the perfume, it smells beautiful, others say “That is so you”, but the most treasured and unexpected surprise was how it is so much more than just a perfume. My experience is that the essences “work”at a much deeper level and this is what I really treasure.
If you are looking for a most special and personal gift, go to The Olfactory. It is a delightful and memorable experience.
Thankyou Gini and Aroha.
Arohanui
CHRIS ELLIOT (Set designer, Auckland)
My experience at The Olfactory…quite an enlightening process! It's a delightful insight into an area of our senses that is taken rather for granted.
The series of initial questions are fantastic and really pull you into the world of scent. Then, once there, the girls fire amazing variants at you and the process is quite a thrill.
I was astonished at my final scent - it felt like mine - unique and exciting. To be honest it didn't last long because I just had to wear it all the time! Truly a delightful experience topped off with a superb result.
KENETI APA (Business Executive, Entrepeneur, Auckland)
If you are a person who enjoys a beautiful fragrance, then having your own personal one is the ultimate!
TESSA APA (Artist, Auckland)
When I use my fragrance I can’t help inhaling deeply, it truly resonates with me and always uplifts my mood ... which is exactly what I hoped it would do.
GIGI BARCLAY (Founder Honeyroom, Auckland)
My bespoke process was very uplifting and informative. I recognised qualities within myself that I wanted to magnify and support. My fragrance is beautiful and I feel all the empowerment I felt during the bespoke process every day when I spray it. Thank you, ladies!
VANESSA REHM (Auckland)
Unlike any other experience, the concept of having a bespoke fragrance created just for me felt a little bit sacred. The consultation and questions posed were thought provoking and truthfully I felt somewhat vulnerable giving answers. It’s not often you are asked such deep questions of yourself by someone else. But it felt like a considered process and necessary in order to create something magical and Virginia and Aroha were extremely professional, yet personable during this stage of the procedure.
The act of selecting ingredients was interesting and delicious all at the same time. My scent is beautiful. It definitely feels special and not an everyday type of fragrance. Although it’s unlike any perfume I’ve ever worn before, I like to think it’s a reflection of me because it has been designed and composed specifically based on my responses to some pretty telling questions.
My recommendation for The Olfactory experience is wholehearted.
NEHA BELTON (Fabric buyer, Auckland)
Thank you for my personalised scent, it is very special. I use it mostly when travelling as a treat from fatigue, and to bring balance back to myself. It gives me a feeling of comfort, to be able to use something that is uniquely for me.
Regards,
MAGGIE EYRE (Author Director of Fresh Eyre)
If you're looking for a unique bespoke present for yourself or someone you care about, make an appointment with Virginia Di Somma at The Olfactory – you’ll get your very own chemical free perfume.
The experience is special, relaxing and memorable and I wear my personal perfume everyday! You get to choose the natural essences you prefer and the process is fascinating.
There is nothing like the scent of tangerine, wild orange, and cardamom to brighten my day - along with a hint of other ingredients such as lavender and vanilla. It’s like meditation in my lunch hour!
CARIN WILSON (Artist, Langs Beach)
Putting words to an unusual experience is challenging. Inspiring! Sensual! Uplifting! How do you describe something unexpectedly fresh and unique? There’s a new awareness in discovering the extra dimensions of a sensory world that we mostly take for granted. So this is to say I really want to thank you for guiding me through The Olfactory's unique discovery process. I learned how important it is to be aware of what it is to notice what our senses are telling us if we pay more attention. It was stimulating and enjoyable, which is all you can ask, really!
PHIL VINE (Journalist, TV presenter)
I would wholeheartedly recommend The Olfactory journey to anyone.
I found the whole experience to be enthralling educating and exhilarating.
My new fragrance is like nothing else I have ever worn. It is totally unique and conjures up essences of past and future while keeping me grounded in the present. Thank you x
JAYDEN DANIELS (Actor, Writer)
The Olfactory created an environment in which I felt free and safe to express my ambitions, desires and even insecurities. I now have a fragrance that I not only chose the ingredients for but I know the purpose and intention behind. It truly feels like my own special spray.
RON REDEL (Founder BOB +Friends, Auckland)
I had a lovely experience at The Olfactory. It was interesting to learn a little about scent and the personal relationship you develop with your fragrance is quite unique.
TULIA WILSON (Designer, Consultant, Auckland/Sydney)
My experience with Virginia and Aroha was intriguing, unexpected and insightful. You are enfolded in a sensory experience, where you feel nurtured and celebrated. The perfume is a unique expression of who you are and who you can be. My husband and I were each given a fragrance that the other adores!
Thank you xx
LISA TANGIRA (Payroll specialist, Wellington)
When I wear my fragrance, it’s not just a smell for me. It’s a smell that reminds me of the memories I used to base my fragrance on. This wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support that Virginia and Aroha give during the process. It was a truly enjoyable experience that puts a smile on my face every time I wear my fragrance.
OLIVIA BOLLEN (Founder Taken Care Of, Auckland)
The entire experience with The Olfactory is so whimsical and stunning, it makes for the perfect gift or present to yourself. To create something so personal and uplifting is a unique experience that I hope everyone can enjoy. Each day my perfume is my own little ritual for myself, to set me up for a great day ahead.
KATHEREN LEITNER (Business Mentor, CEO Auckland)
"To wear a fragrance that I took part in creating is powerful. Every time I apply it I am reminded of what I wanted it to represent, how I wanted it to make me feel. It is my mantra, my reminder."
ALICE PARDOE (Wellington)
The experience of creating a bespoke perfume was an enlightening one. The Olfactory creation space is warm and relaxing which helped balance the personal insight and small uneasiness I had occurring through the questions asked by Virginia. However these questions were integral to discovering exactly what I needed from a perfume. The perfume I received is a great combination of the scents I picked and every time I wear it I feel empowered and supported. You can put your trust in The Olfactory and Virginia that they will deliver something beautiful and tailored to what you need, from start to finish.
I first read about Virginia and her natural bespoke perfumes in an article in Kia Ora magazine and I was instantly captivated! The idea of having a perfume created just for me, a natural perfume that would give me a lift in life sounded fascinating and just what I needed.
I loved every minute of the process!
First, stepping in to Virginia’s studio, being surrounded by all manner of distilled essential oils and perfumery paraphernalia felt rather exotic and fun!
Then spending time discussing what makes me unique (as everyone IS unique) felt like such a luxury. The benefits I got from that session were huge.
The last stage is where Virginia creates two beautiful perfumes and left it to me to decide which one I preferred. I loved them both!
The idea that both of those perfumes were designed to support every aspect of my life is incredible. Every day I look forward to spraying my chosen perfume on myself, giving me an instant lift. Knowing the perfume is 100% natural also means a lot to me.
I’m so happy I invested in my special perfume and I fully recommend this to everyone.
Sonya Shearer