From Archaeology to Fragrance: An Unexpected Journey
People might ask how an archaeologist ends up creating perfume.
At first glance, the two worlds seem entirely unrelated. One involves excavating the past while the other revolves around scent, emotion, and personal expression.
Yet for me, the connection feels surprisingly natural.
For more than three decades, I worked in archaeology, museums, and historical interpretation. My career was built around uncovering stories, sometimes from fragments of pottery, forgotten buildings, or artifacts buried beneath the soil. What fascinated me was never simply the objects themselves, but the lives behind them. Every discovery represented a moment in time and a connection to the people who came before us.
Over the years, I came to realize that scent has a remarkable ability to do something very similar.
A fragrance can transport us instantly. A hint of woodsmoke might bring back evenings around a campfire. The aroma of flowers may remind us of a grandparent’s garden. A trace of leather, spice, or resin can summon memories we haven’t thought about in years.
Like archaeology, fragrance is about connection. Both disciplines are rooted in memory, experience, and the stories that shape us.
The idea for North Star Fragrance emerged from this realization. Rather than uncovering stories through excavation, I began exploring how they could be expressed through scent. Instead of displaying artifacts in a museum case, I could create fragrances that invited people to experience their own memories and discoveries.
My approach to fragrance creation is heavily influenced by my archaeological background. Research comes first. I spend time exploring the history of ingredients, the cultures that used them, and the landscapes that inspired them. Every fragrance begins with a concept, a place, or a story before a single drop is blended.
That philosophy ultimately led to the guiding principle behind North Star Fragrance: Perfume with Provenance.
In archaeology, provenance refers to where an artifact came from and the context that gives it meaning. Without provenance, much of the story is lost.
I believe fragrance deserves that same depth of connection. A scent should be more than a pleasant aroma. It should tell a story. Whether a time, a place, or an occasion. Those are the things that shape our lives every day.
Today, North Star Fragrance allows me to continue doing what I have always loved and while the tools may have changed, the purpose remains remarkably similar.
Whether through an artifact uncovered from the earth or a fragrance carefully composed in my workshop, I am still pursuing the same goal…to help people connect with something meaningful.
The journey simply took an unexpected turn, and I couldn’t be happier that it did.
