Perfume Room

Within hours of launch, Influxious sold out of all inventory on Sephora.com. The next day it sold out again on the Influxious site. The visionary behind this booming and blooming brand? It's the one, the only, Queen-of-PerfumeTok-turned-Founder, Funmi Monet of course.
She's in the Perfume Room this week sharing the behind-the-scenes of building her brand, the importance of picking the right partners, the double standard she faces as a Black-owned perfume house, the *sheinification* of TikTok, and what the future holds.
SOTDs:
Gap Dream (2026) and Fragrancias Pittoro Pittoro de Mango
FRAGS MENTIONED:
Influxious Gold Standard, High life, Well Loved, Magic Hour; MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow, Le Labo Santal 33
BOOK A SCENT STYLING SESSION WITH ME: linktr.ee/emmavern

Julien Rasquinet, Senior Perfumer at CPL Aromas, had an incredibly fortuitous path to perfumery, and it began with a chance meeting at an airport.
Today, he is one of the most prolific and successful perfumers of all time, and when you hear his story, you'll understand why.
We chat about creating the perfect rose, where AI falls short, his least favorite kind of client briefs, the behind-the-scenes stories of your (my) fave perfumes, and how following his nose across the world led him to exactly where he was meant to be [our perfume shelves!].
SOTD: Veronique Gabai Noire de Mai
FRAG MENTIONED: Nishane Thorns become Roses, Estée Lauder Pleasures, Dior J’Adore, Davidoff Cool Water, BDK Tabac Rose, Naomi Goodsir: Iris Cendre, Bois d’Ascese, Cuir Velours; Creed Royal Oud
SMELL CLUB: summerinabottle.eventbrite.com
BOOK A SCENT STYLING SESSION: stele.nyc/products/scent-styling-emma-vernon
EDITOR NOTE: In 2025, Perfumer/Founder Maya Njie released a perfume called Aethi Opum, inspired by her own Gambian and Senegalese roots, with a gowé accord. The idea of gowé was something she had discussed with CPL Aromas a few years prior.

Fragrance and fashion legend Narciso Rodriguez joins me in the Perfume Room this week!!!! (REQUIRED LISTENING.)
Two-time recipient of the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award AND recipient of 2003 TFA Best New Fragrance Award (for For Her) (among many others), Narciso has received the highest honors for his contributions in both industries. He is able to capture important moments in time in ways that transcend it. Some of his most seminal creations include Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's wedding gown, Michelle Obama's 2008 Election Night dress, and in fragrance, For Her, which is largely credited with modernizing musk for the 21st century.
Today we chat about everything from how he cultivated his own signature (and what that signature is), to how his fashion and fragrance sensibilities are one in the same, his special friendship with CBK and what the media has gotten right and wrong,some never-before-told behind-the-scenes stories surrounding the creation of Narciso Rodriguez fragrances, and of course, what lies ahead.
Ed. Note: I'M STILL NOT OVER THIS EPISODE!!
FOLLOW: @narciso_rodriguez
FRAGS MENTIONED:
Capucci Pour Homme, Lagerfeld For Men, Narciso Rodriguez For Her, JPG Le Male, Narciso Rodriguez Poudree, Egyptian musk oil, Jovan Musk, Narciso Rodriguez: Pure Musc, Essence, Musc Noir 
SOTD: Voyage D'Hermes
SCENT STYLING STELE (Aug 2): linktr.ee/emmavern

Husband-and-wife duo Isaac Lekach and Lillian Shalom have spent the past few years developing fragrances for other brands. With El Morocco Perfumery, it's finally their turn.
In an attempt to recreate the magic of cafe society (and the legendary club for which the brand is named), the pair approached this project like archivists, collecting every handkerchief, matchbook, and photo they could get their hands on. What began as a mission to be historically accurate became a reimagining of what fragrance bottle and packaging design could be.
FRAGS MENTIONED:
El Morocco Perfumery: Gala, Highball for Lucius B; Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Animale Animale, Mugler Angel for Men, Stork Club, El Morocco Perfumery: 154, Gala, Highball for Lucius B, Lulu’s Back in Town, Two Cigarettes in the Dark
SOTD: Future Society Rain Tea
BOOK A SCENT CONSULT W ME: linktr.ee/emmavern

Decorated MANE Senior Perfume Mathilde Bijaoui, and veteran evaluation exec Lauren Shyman are in the Perfume Room this week!
How do perfumers and evaluators work together behind the scenes to create the juice we smell in our most cherished perfume bottles?
Enjoy this an intimate (and fun!) look at the professional and personal relationship between a high-level perfumer and evaluator.
FOLLOW: @mane_1871_ @mathilde.bijaoui.perfumer @thelaurshy
GET TIX TO SMELLS LIKE LOVE! linktr.ee/emmavern
SOTD: ⁠Aedes de Venustas Signature⁠
FRAGS MENTIONED:
Bond No. 9 Madison Ave., Bath & Body Works Whipped Coconut Milkshake, Penhaligon’s Lily and Spice, Jo Malone Poppy & Barley, Snif 2%, Byredo Bal d’Afrique, Glossier You, Jo Malone Yuja/Yuzu Zest Cologne, L’Artisan Mure et Musc, Snif Crumb Couture, Jo Malone English Fields Collection (Primrose & Rye), Mugler Alien, Giorgio, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, YSL Opium, Mugler Angel, Narciso For Her, BR540, Chanel Egoiste, CK Eternity, Davidoff Cool Water, Cacharel Anais Anais, Giorgio, Opium, Aromatics Elixir, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, Dana Canoe, Victoria's Secret Vanilla Lace, Eau de Bonpoint, Mure et Musc, Dior Eau Sauvage, Rochas Eau de Rochas, Hermes Caleche, Chanel No. 19, Paul Sebastian Design, Gap Dream, Heaven; DK Cashmere Mist, CKOne, Drakkar Noir, ELdO Like This