Kristen Dunagan, founder of Kristen Michèle perfumes, has been entranced by perfume since her childhood. Growing up, she collected perfume oils and was lucky enough to encounter a professional perfumer during her travels. He gave her a “sniff” test in his lab, determined she had an excellent nose, and encouraged her to pursue perfumery as a career. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Kristen about pursuing her lifelong passion and how Kristen Michèle, Perfumeur, was born.
Violet: We both talk a lot about scent and memory and you’ve mentioned your love of perfume dates from childhood. What’s your favorite scent memory?
Kristen: This is a great question and one that I always ask my clients. While I have many memories linked to various scents, what I think of most is my dad buying me my first bottle of perfume. I was about twelve. (This is so special because my father passed away and we were very close.) I wanted this perfume so badly; the anticipation was insane. We went to the store just to buy this particular perfume. I practically ran from the car straight to the perfume counter with my dad like twenty-five feet behind me. I was already talking to the saleslady behind the counter when he caught up. Until that point, most of my perfume had come from my mother and aunts, given to me at their discretion. Sure, they bought me perfume oils and allowed me to use their fragrances, but having my dad take me to get just what I wanted, well, it was somehow a coming of age. He bought me the whole ensemble—perfume and lotion! I finally had my own fancy perfume that I could keep in my room on my dresser. It was Most Precious. At the time, I thought it was a new perfume, but actually it dates back to 1951. Seeing that box again is surreal. In essence, the scent of the perfume isn’t what is memorable (though I remember loving it); it is the moment that it shaped and could be looked at as the beginning of my life unfolding as a perfumer. It would be very interesting to get my hands on a bottle now. God knows the memories the scent will conjure!
Violet: How did you go about opening your business and what do you see as the challenges facing you in these uncertain times?
Kristen: Starting my line was a labor of love. I don’t think I knew what I was getting myself into in terms of owning a business. I was very focused on the creative [side], meaning the perfume, design, etc., and one day I had a tangible product. I sort of went backward in that I began a business without a business plan. As certain aspects became disorganized and overwhelming, I really saw the need for a plan. I am such a creative and eager person and a bit airy in my way of thinking and living. I knew if I wanted to be successful that I had to enlist the help of professionals suited to the specific needs of the business. It is still a work in progress. Nothing is ever finished! I think I am great with the creative, the publicity, and all things fun, but I’m still learning how to be business-minded.
As far as the state of our economy and the effect it’s having on my business … well, I am very new, both in the perfume industry and as a business entity. So, for me, it has already been a struggle the last couple of years, though I am feeling it more so this year … it’s just not very fun right now. I know it won’t be this way forever. There are good things to come even in this bleak time.
