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Photographers: Marina Burkhalter & Elina Campbell
https://www.solromeroofficial.com/
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What inspired you to start your perfume line, and what gap in the fragrance market are you trying to fill?
What inspired me to start my perfume line feels very personal, because it really began long before I ever thought of turning it into a business. I grew up surrounded by fragrance, my family was already in the perfume world, so scent was just part of everyday life. As a child, I was always curious, always asking questions, especially about how to make rose oil. My grandfather had his own method of extracting rose with ice, and he passed that knowledge on to me. I’ve been working with it ever since. Of course, I’ve refined and adapted it over time, but the essence of it is still there, and the results are still just as beautiful. For me, creating fragrance has always been about making something truly unique, something that feels like it belongs to a specific moment, a specific person, and can’t be replicated in exactly the same way.How do you choose scent profiles, and what role do trends vs. personal creativity play in that decision?
I know the niche perfume industry has grown a lot, and many people are entering it, but I’ve never approached it from that angle. For me, this isn’t about trends, it’s about passion. I genuinely love creating perfume. It’s what I do, and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t feel completely connected to it. It’s something I put all of myself into.Can you walk us through your fragrance development process—from concept to final product?
My process is quite emotional and intuitive. Usually, a few days before I even sit down to create, I’m already thinking, about memories, emotions, small details from life, different senses. I try to hold onto a feeling, something that made me feel calm, or happy, or grounded. Then when I sit down, I start exploring my materials. I might go through twenty or thirty oils, smelling each one slowly, until I find the one that matches that feeling I’ve been carrying. That becomes my starting point. From there, I decide, does this note lead the fragrance, or is it something softer, something that just touches the composition briefly? I sometimes describe it as either walking through a cloud or having something delicate, almost like a small presence, brush past you. From there, I build, layer by layer. It’s both exciting and frustrating, because reaching the right balance takes time. When I first started studying, I thought I could create a finished perfume in a few months. But the reality is very different, some compositions take years to truly feel complete.What challenges did you face when launching your perfume brand, and how did you overcome them?
Right now, I’m still in the development phase, which means navigating all the challenges that come with bringing a perfume to market. There are many regulations and technical aspects that need to be respected. I’ll be honest, that’s not where I naturally feel strongest. But I’m lucky to work with people who complement me. My vision director and the artist who creates the artwork for the packaging are incredible at what they do. I focus on the formulas, on the scent itself, on the story behind it, and I guide the overall direction, but they help bring that vision into a complete, tangible world.
How important is branding and packaging in the success of a perfume line, and how did you develop your brand identity?
I also love working with my hands. For me, it’s important that the product feels personal, that it carries my touch as much as possible. From the fragrance itself to elements of the packaging, I want to stay as involved as I can. It’s part of how I keep the process honest and intentional.
What are some current trends in the fragrance industry (e.g., sustainability, gender-neutral scents, niche perfumery), and how is your brand responding to them?
One thing that’s very important to me is that my fragrances are not limited by gender. I don’t believe scent should be restricted that way. If someone connects with a perfume, they should wear it, regardless of how it’s traditionally categorized. What matters most to me is the emotional reaction. When someone smells one of my perfumes and I can see it in their eyes, that moment when a memory comes back, or they feel something shift. That’s everything. That’s why I do this.
How do you approach sustainability and ethical sourcing in your ingredients and packaging?
Another core part of my work comes from what I learned during my training: creating as much as possible from your own raw materials. When you work with oils you’ve made yourself, whether it’s rose, lavender, or other botanicals, the result feels deeper, more grounded, more alive. It’s different from purely commercial materials. At the same time, it requires care and understanding, because natural materials can be powerful and need to be handled responsibly. But that balance is something I really value.
Looking ahead, how do you see your perfume line evolving, and what innovations or trends are you most excited about?
I’m incredibly excited about what’s coming. I truly believe we’re creating something that feels different, something that people will connect with in a real way. And I can’t wait to share it, to let people experience it for themselves and discover what it awakens in them.
