Independent perfumer Lyn Harris, founder of bespoke fragrance house Miller Harris, has created six unique scents for M&S. Michelle Pamment, editor of Your M&S Magazine, chatted to Lyn Harris for the ‘Making Scents’ feature in the September/October issue. Read on to find out more about Lyn…

On developing a passion for fragrance: “I’m a Halifax girl. I used to work in a perfume shop, literally just sweeping up. I loved the whole fantasy behind fragrance and the women that shopped there. What was wonderful was the women who bought fragrance were really amazing characters. At that time fragrance wasn’t accessible for everybody – it was only for the wealthy. We sold perfumes like Chanel, Guerlain, Lauder, Arden, Van Cleef. People had their hair done upstairs, and the perfumery and beauty department was downstairs. It was the first shop in the north to get a French fine fragrance. Being a perfumer was definitely my destiny and working in that perfume shop as a young girl was the start.”

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On fragrance and France: “My family had a house in France and I also used to stay with friends in Paris, so there was always that French connection. I didn’t do well at school, but I was passionate about perfume. After I got chucked out of school I went to a technical college in Halifax and also carried on working in the fragrance shop part time. Then I really got into reading about French perfumery and reading about haute couture. I was very passionate about fragrance as an art form, so I started some simple training – I just wanted to know more about it.  Eventually I moved to London. I met a French woman there through Aromatherapy Associates, and worked with her for two years. I eventually applied to a perfume school in Paris and was there for two years. Lots of people in my class really wanted to be a perfumer but found out early on that they didn’t have the ability. From day one, I could write simple formulas and accords [balanced blends of notes] – it seemed like a natural thing.  I’d finally found something I was good at.”

On working as a perfumer: “When I finished my course, my next step was to find a fragrance house which would support my development and really believe in me, so I could create fragrances for them. I was interviewed by Robertet – they liked my work and, again, were fascinated by me because I was English. For the next few years, I practically lived in Grasse and was taught by a master who taught me everything and it was there that I learnt all the house materials and started developing my definitive style. Grasse is the perfume capital, some of the world’s best perfumers were trained there, something about that place is magical. When people are admiring your talent and encouraging you, it spurs you to the next level.”

On going-it-alone:  “After seven years, it was natural for me to set up on my own. I had my own laboratory that I set up in my home in Primrose Hill. I’d done something different but I didn’t know that, I was just passionate. I worked day and night on my creativity. People would ask me, “I want to leave my fragrance house, how did you do it?”  and I’d say, “Do you know what, I don’t know how I’ve done it and I wouldn’t recommend it!” My father was a self-made success story and I think that inspired me. I didn’t really know how to work for someone else. I watched my father work night and day and saw what he creatively gained from being isolated.”

On teaming up with M&S:  “I was completely delighted that M&S wanted me to develop a fragrance for them and they have been so amazing to work with. I had a price to work to which, I actually exceeded but M&S were so understanding and passionate about having the best quality ingredients possible so, were happy to support this. I really did my homework as I wanted M&S to have something that represents who they are. The first six Lyn Harris fragrances will be available in 24 stores initially. It’s a brand in itself but with M&S’s ethics and heritage. I couldn’t choose a favourite from the new range – I admire them all and they’re all different. When I presented the fragrances to the M&S buyers it was an amazing experience because not one of them was rejected. M&S didn’t crush the creativity, they nurtured it and we ended up with a collection of fragrances.”

On choosing a fragrance: “The beauty of this collection is that,  you can buy more than one. Gone is the era of having a signature fragrance. Choosing a fragrance has a lot to do with skin type, season and mood. If you have really pale skin, lighter fragrances are better whereas darker skin veers more towards woodier intense oriental fragrances. Go to M&S, choose one of the fragrances from the range, and put some on a strip. If the first smell excites you, put a little bit on your wrist and walk round the store. If it still pleases you, then you’re on to a winner. If there’s an inkling of something that’s not good, it’s not for you – your first reaction is key.”

Shop Lyn Harris fragrances online from mid September.

Watch the video to find out more…

What do you love about fragrance? Are there any scents that you link with special memories? Let us know by leaving a comment below.