CHAPTER 2: The Scent That Unlocked My Past

Some memories stay just out of reach—until something awakens them.

 

When I arrived in Grasse, France, the world’s perfume capital, my goal was simple: to create a fragrance that was uniquely mine. I had no plans beyond that—just a desire to explore the art of perfumery and create something personal. But what unfolded in that niche perfumery was far more profound than I could have imagined.

The Unexpected Power of Scent

Surrounded by tiny brown perfume bottles in the perfumer’s organ, I inhaled each olfactory note, letting the scents settle. At first, it was an intellectual experience—I was learning, appreciating, and experimenting. But then, something changed.

Without warning, something shifted inside me. A familiar yet distant feeling crept in, as if I had stepped through a doorway into a place I had not visited in decades. For the first time in years, I began reconnecting with childhood memories I thought had been lost forever.

 

It wasn’t gradual. It wasn’t something I had prepared for. It was instant, powerful—like unlocking a part of my story I hadn’t yet told myself.

A Journey Through Fragrance and Memory

I had always known that scent and memory are deeply connected. Studies show that our olfactory system is directly linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes emotions and memories. Unlike other senses, which pass through the thalamus before being processed, smell takes a direct route to memory storage, which is why a scent can instantly transport us back in time. Read more on the olfactory system here 

But I didn’t need scientific proof—I was experiencing it firsthand.

As I worked through different perfume notes, I realised that my sense of smell had changed after my healing journey. Scents were no longer just background sensations; they were keys to experiences, emotions, and stories buried deep within me.

I had spent years navigating the healing process, speaking about trauma, and working through emotions, but scent was unlocking something different—not just the pain, but the beauty, the light, the moments of joy before the darkness.

That was something I hadn’t expected.

Creating STORIES Nº.01: A Scent of Transformation

STORIES Nº.01 was always clear in my mind. Long before I ever knew I would create a fragrance brand, I carried with me a scent memory—one I could never quite place, yet one that made me feel safe, uplifted, and whole.

More than 20 years ago, I remember thinking… If I ever had the chance to create a fragrance, I would try to bottle that scent. The scent that represented stepping out of darkness and into the light.

And that’s what became STORIES Nº.01—an uplifting blend of bergamot, grapefruit, cedarwood, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, and vanilla. Each note tells a part of my journey, from the fresh optimism of citrus to the grounding warmth of woods and florals.

But My Story Didn’t End There…

As I continued working in Grasse, another revelation surfaced. If scent could unlock my own memories, what could it do for others? Could it help someone reconnect with their past? Heal from something unresolved? Reignite a feeling they thought they had lost?

This is why STORIES Parfums was born—not just as a fragrance house, but as a space where scent becomes personal, intimate, and meaningful. I didn’t want to just create perfumes. I wanted to create a collection that helps people rediscover their own scent memories—whether joyful, nostalgic, or healing.

I often ask, What will your story be? But I think a more fitting question is: What story is already within you, waiting to be awakened.

The Science Behind Scent and Emotion

Fragrance has a unique impact on the brain, particularly when it comes to emotions and memories. Unlike other sensory experiences, scent bypasses traditional processing pathways and goes straight to the amygdala and hippocampus—the areas responsible for emotional responses and memory formation.

This is why we can suddenly be overcome with nostalgia when we smell something familiar from our past. A childhood home, a loved one’s perfume, the pages of an old book—these scents hold a part of us.

For me, it was the unexpected trigger of certain notes in Grasse that reconnected me with a version of myself I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just about remembering; it was about reclaiming.

Scent as a Storytelling Experience

Every fragrance tells a story. Some stories are known, some are waiting to be uncovered, and some are still being written.

That’s what STORIES Parfums is about—helping people discover the deep, personal connection between scent and storytelling. It’s why I created our Scent Duos and Trios, so people could explore the notes, experience the fragrances, and see what memories they awaken.

If you’ve never considered scent as part of your personal journey, I invite you to take a moment. What’s a fragrance that has stayed with you over the years? What memory does it bring to life?

Watch My Journey Unfold

This journey continues to unfold, and I’m inviting you to be part of it.

📖 Watch Chapter 2 on YouTube

💬 Have you ever experienced a scent that transported you back in time? I’d love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow along every Wednesday for a new chapter. New to my journey? Read Chapter 1: A Journey Through Memory and Fragrance.

From Tonya, with love x