Perfumer Kathleen Currie crafts fragrances evoking a profound sense of place and a deep connection to the self. Originally from Belize, Currie’s path to becoming a natural perfumer in New Orleans was shaped by significant life events and a consistent pull toward holistic wellness and artistic expression. After experiencing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina while in college in Arizona, Currie felt a powerful urge to return to the Gulf Coast to be closer to family. This eventual move to New Orleans in 2009 marked a pivotal moment, igniting a creative spark that would lead to her company, Smoke Perfume.
“It was magical, but it was more than that,” Currie says of those early days in New Orleans. “It was just fun and the immediacy of community.”
The city’s vibrant energy, combined with the blooming jasmine, inspired the original Smoke Perfume, a blend of vetiver, citrus and jasmine. This initial creation for personal use, born from an intuitive interest in essential oils, quickly grew beyond a mere creative outlet.
Currie’s academic background in holistic health and wellness, coupled with her experience as a massage therapist, laid the groundwork for her perfumery. Her massage practice, Wellspring Wellness, runs parallel to Smoke Perfume, underscoring Currie’s commitment to the mind-body connection. A rock-climbing accident in college, which resulted in a broken back, further solidified Currie’s belief in the healing power of bodywork and the importance of listening to one’s physical self. This perspective shapes her approach to perfume, creating not just fragrances but experiences that connect people to their inner selves and cherished memories.
“I have to believe that memories get unlocked when your nervous system quiets enough,” Currie says, emphasizing how scent intertwines with memory and emotional well-being.
Currie specializes in natural perfumery, working exclusively with botanical extracts. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to study with renowned natural perfumer Mandy Aftel, a relationship that transformed Currie’s blending abilities.
New Orleans itself, with its rich history and distinct olfactory landscape — from delicious food and blooming botanicals to even the city’s more unsavory aromas — serves as a constant source of inspiration. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and “jasmine season” replace traditional seasonal markers, offering a constant sensory narrative that infuses Currie’s work.
Smoke Perfume, smokeperfume.com, @smokeperfume
