The Vault Overview | Preface by Miss Layla

The Vault started as a creative concept to explore the avenues of my olfactive imagination. Each scent was born from a memory of a person, place or thing. As I have followed other Perfumers over the years, I have learned more about the artistic process of making a perfume, especially in the fragrance industry. As a result, I have witnessed a lot of incredible formulations that have never come to fruition. For example, in a three-part BBC Documentary Series about Perfume, the preeminent and illustrious Jean-Claude Ellena has his assistant throw out fragrance compositions from his creative works that are, “in process.” A way of paring down, a refining procedure- if you will. As his assistant was removing the perfumes from the collection in his case, I was literally hopping up and down in a state of bewildered horror, exclaiming, “Oh my god! She’s just going to throw them out!? What if they’re amazing!?” I happen to be a little biased here, because I find Jean-Claude Ellena to be a sort of vicarious perfume teacher. I really appreciate the work of Ellena because he was the first person to explain how to make perfume using aroma chemicals and natural raw materials. I would read his notes in his books, watch him in videos and begin to learn how to compose aromatic accords from singular molecules. In my findings, he was truly a pioneer in unveiling the, “magic” that makes perfume. He showed me how to make an impression of bitter orange by mixing sweet orange oil and indole molecule and how to create a lilac accord using, phenyl ethyl alcohol, helional, indole and essence of clove. Much like Ellena’s menagerie of fragrance works in progress, The Vault concepts work in the same fashion. They are olfactive illustrations, bottled memories that are the progression of a fragrance art piece. Similarly to art sketches on newsprint before turning into a masterpiece painting, these conceptual perfumes are kept and refined.

Since watching the perfume documentary series, I have decided to keep a lot of my fragrance sketches; giving them all category numbers and abbreviations as working titles. To my surprise, people liked them just as they were, which is why I started offering them for others to smell and capture just as I have; even if only for the purpose of experiencing the memory I am trying to convey. The Vault perfumes can function solely as the scent of a bottled memory, or as a fragrance to be worn, which is the beauty of this practice.

These compositions are very exclusive, which is why I keep a record of them. Below is a list of formulations from 2017-Present. I have limited quantities of each of the fragrances listed. Therefore, when the samples are gone, they are gone (likely never to be restocked). If these pique your interest please feel free to add samples to your order. I offer larger sizes should someone want to make one in a full bottle. The Vault is a wonderful way to deep dive into exploring ART FOR YOUR NOSE.

Lastly, I want to mention that The Vault is ever expanding, like a collection of doodles in a notebook. Every year my work changes and improves. Starting in 2024 all new samples will include a 1.85 ml atomizing perfume vial with a scent strip. Each scent strip has the corresponding perfume note list for convenient referencing. If a sample from The Vault does not include these changes, just know that these samples are from an earlier working period. Prices listed will reflect these changes.

Thank you for exploring The Vault.

-L

*The items listed below are available for sample and bottle purchases. Each perfume is artisan crafted, hand poured and made to order. I am a one woman show, please allow time for your order to be processed.

Friends With Deficits

About this collaboration: This fragrance emerged purely as a fun topic; an episode of FWD turned perfume discussion. The inspiration— An idea for a, “Powdery Leather” scent.

Fragrance Family: Leather Chypre

Notes of: Alfalfa Accord, Osmanthus, Sweet Meadow Grasses, Hay Absolute, Patchouli, Tobacco, Iris, Sandalwood, Leather, Vetiver & Botanical Musk.

Fragrance muse: Majestic horses.

*Fragrance is not for sale but was created as a promo item for listeners of the podcast. Perfume notes listed here are for reference. You can learn more at: https://www.friendswithdeficitspodcast.com/.

DWA422

BRUUN.

Notes of: Carrot Seed, Grey Pine, Clary Sage Absolute, Balsam Fir, Labdanum, Benzoin, Atlas Cedar Absolute and Fossilized Amber.

LS1223

Glimpsing The Past.

Notes of: Saffron, Leather, Patchouli Absolute, Castoreum, Caraway, Cade, Amber, Oud, Mezcal and Vanilla.

GPAL423-3

Calm Like The Dawn.

Notes of: Palo Santo, Tea Rose, Mysore Sandalwood, Incense, Atlas Cedar, Orris Butter, Vetiver.

GPAL423-2

Centered On The Edge.

Notes of: Palo Santo, Gardenia, Orange Blossom, Tuberose, Mysore Sandalwood, Incense, Musk and Vanilla.

HON1023

Kingship.

Notes of: Cedar Leaf, Turmeric, Copaiba Balsam, Patchouli, Styrax Absolute, Beeswax, Sandalwood, Benzoin Resin.

CCED923

Untitled.

Notes of: Black Hemlock, Juniper, Cedar, Cypress Absolute, Pine Resin, Patchouli, Australian Sandalwood, Wet Stone.

FLPS23

Untitled.

Notes of: Palo Santo, Absolutes of Gardenia & Jasmine, Apricot, Creamy Sandalwood, Oak, Incense.

TOLU1023

Forbidden Pathways.

Notes of: Wildflower Honey, Sichuan Pepper, Turmeric, Tea Rose, Benzoin Absolute, Tobacco, Styrax, Oud.

TOBPECH823

Shisha Peach.

Notes of: Star Anise, Peach, Osmanthus Absolute, Bulgarian Tobacco Absolute, Saffron, Cabreuva.

ROS1223

Halfeti Black.

Notes of: Absolutes of Rose & Sandalwood, Sage, Black Tea, Leather, Vetiver. 100% natural formula.

BSP10823

Perfume mod for BSP 60th Anniversary Patchouli Competition.

Notes of: Bergamot, Cognac, Carnation, Rosewood, Patchouli, Black Tonka, Sandalwood, Guaiac.

YER1-SAL

Heron.

Notes of: Icy Sea Water, Cold Air, Juniper Berries, Cypress, Driftwood, Piñon Pine, Vetiver, Iceberg Accord.

ETS12-23

Okean.

Notes of: Pink Pepper, Cypress, Bon Timur, Bay Leaf, Sea Moss, Salted Tobacco, Vetiver, Genuine Ambergris.

AMB31623

Bae Beige.

A sticky resinous perfume with notes of: Tolu Balsam, Peru Balsam, Vanilla, Cedar, Benzoin, Coffee, Sandalwood, Labdanum, Creamy Musk.

MT319

Branz.

Notes of: Basil, Grapefruit, Cypress, Coriander, Orange Blossom, Sea Salt, Stone Accord, White Ambergris.

SMGRAS12-23

Amorío.

Notes of: Wild Orange, Smoked Red Tea, Benzoin, Suede, Leather, Saffron, Immortal Flower, Sandalwood.

IRW1223

Sosna.

Notes of: Concrete, Patchouli, Amber Woods, Pine, Carrot, Black Ambergris, Rose Absolute, Cedar

SR-1

Siboney Santal.

Galangal, Tuberose Absolute, Ylang Absolute, Sea Moss Accord, Patchouli, Orris Butter, Amber, Genuine Indian Mysore Sandalwood

RT919

Habana Maple.

Bulgarian Tobacco Absolute, Virginia Cedar, Acorn Accord, Maple, Carnation, Clary Sage Absolute, Pimento Berry, Vanilla, Whisper of Roses

rt518

Deserted Island Tobacco.

Blended Cedars, Bourbon Vanilla Tincture, Labdanum Absolute, Oakmoss, Maple, Heirloom Cacao, Absolutes of Tobacco, Jasmine, Tuberose & Frangipani

SR-6

Soursop.

A strange fruity-wood perfume with a Soursop accord. Other notes include:

Soursop Fruit, Magnolia, Mango Leaf, Maté, Mimosa Absolute, Orange Blossom, White Tea, Amber, Cedar, Sandalwood & Musk

f032629

Appalachian Gentleman.

Lemon, Pine, Rosemary, Geranium, Piñon, Juniper, Lemongrass, Cedar, Orris, Frankincense, Papyrus, Virginian Tobacco Absolute, Oakmoss

SR-5

Wintersong.

Elemi, Madagascar Black Pepper, Pine, Amber, White Cedarwood, Moss, Patchouli, Olibanum Heart, Genuine Mysore Sandalwood.

sdal19

Cool Woods.

Maté Absolute, Nanah Mint, Rosemary Leaf, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Sandalwood, Cedarwood & Fir Needle

TOBAM19

Bastet.

Thyme, Orange Blossom Absolute, Jasmine Absolute, Ylang, Bulgarian Tobacco Absolute, Espresso, Ambreine, Cistus Labdanum, Warm Balsams, Vanilla Bourbon Tincture, Saffron

210SMM

Two Degrees West.

Worn Hiking Path Accord, Decaying Leaves, Red Cedar, White Cedar, Caraway, Cistus, Sweet Pine, Sea Mosses, Oakwood Absolute

SR-G

Viridis.

Ukrainian Coriander, Tarragon, Star Anise, Black Tea, Fir Balsam, Pink Peppercorn, Tobacco, Amber, Genuine Mysore Sandalwood, Vetiver, Musk

sw619

Rhythm Wood.

Palo Santo, Hinoki, Sandalwood, Atlas Cedar, Blue Cypress, Piñon Pine, Myrrh, Sheer Coastal Amber

SR-5SUS

Wintersung.

A version of SR-5 made sustainably.

Elemi, Madagascar Black Pepper, Pine, Amber, Cedar, Patchouli, Olibanum Heart, Genuine Mysore Sandalwood.

HE02-23

Androgynous Green.

Petitgrain Heart, Clary Sage, Osmanthus Absolute, Coriander, Palo Santo, Tea Rose, Patchouli, Amber Resin, Vetiver

ELAMB23

The Bronze Bee.

Propolis Tincture, Cacao Flower Accord, Bran Absolute, Cedarwood, Amyris, Tolu Balsam, Vanilla Absolute, Tobacco, Sandalwood & Musk

SR-5,2

Requiem.

Violet Leaf, Elemi Resin, Guaiacwood, Spikenard, Oakmoss Absolute, Amber, Patchouli, Cypriol, Cedar, Santalum Album, Somalian Frankincense, Vetiver

BET5922

Vetiver Beach.

Vetiver roots hold the coastline tight and lock the land in a grounding hug.

Sea Salt Accord, Neroli, Galangal, Monöi, Frangipani, Jasmine, Sea Moss, Hawaiian Vetiver, Haitian Vetiver & Ambergris

AMB222-23

Tiger Rye

Peru Balsam, Sandalwood, Java Vetiver, Cedar Heart, Oak, Tobacco, Patchouli, Whiskey Accord & Opopanax

More vaulted samples coming soon.

THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING SMALL.

The Vault perfume samples listed below are currently unavailable. Their corresponding scent descriptions have been removed after selling out. However, these perfumes can be remade in bottle purchases only. If you would like to request any of the following fragrances to be made please contact Miss Layla via the Contact Page.

Currently Out Of Stock:

CF8

DK1

SR-2

TU520

SN9

SR-7

T42

SR-3

SVLAV19

SR419

AMB8618

CW19

AMB18

SWT19

AMBMYT82918

SB42018

CF1017

CEL218

TAM18

COCOB530

MODERNCPF

PD18

MTS31

MTS218

MTS118

MBA428

MBA218

SF18/CAFAM

GS218

ET17

KO3

KO2

AHLB1

AHLB2

SST18

KOWS19

SWRES18

LAM818

KO918

COBE18

DK2

CPM18

GS510

AON522

GPM530

GS514