Richard's Profile

Richard Howard - Founder and Director

Richard Howard began his love affair with raw fragrances and aromatics in the humble setting of a village kitchen in Sri Lanka while on a Vipassana meditation retreat some 15 years ago. Here Richard found himself gravitating toward food preparation.

"I wanted to be more creative and considered being a chef. Rather than meditating, I found myself going to the nearby village and would be around the kitchen. What I found to be most poignant were the women making face masks and insect repellent in the same way as they blended their food."

Richard was blessed too, with a fine appreciation of fragrance.

The art of perfumery has led Richard over many years on a journey through time and cultures in order to create both classic and progressive blends. Much of his knowledge is owed with deep gratitude to perfumers and shaman of ancient culture up to the renaissance of the art of perfumery in the early 20th century. In addition gratitude lies with today's cosmetic scientists and herbalists, together with the growers and distillers of oils and raw materials, sharing not only their friendship and wisdom but also the vital ingredients with which to create.