It's Just Perfume

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits down with songwriter Steph Jones. Having written hits for artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Blackpink, Selena Gomez and Jade she's one of the most in-demand talents in the music industry. Perfecting her impromptu songwriting skills at church, Steph naturally develops melodies and lyrics for people as she discovers their personal stories and soaks in their vibes. Along with her passion for tunes Steph has been fascinated by perfumes from an early age and tells Steve about her Hall of Fame fragrances and what they mean to her. Perfumes discussed in this episode:Aromatics Elixir by CliniqueTubéreuse Astrale by Maison Crivelli / Available on LuckyscentTowédé by Notes de Bas de PajeGris Charnel by BDK / Available on LuckyscentGris Charnel by BDK / Available on LuckyscentLait Concentré by Chabaud / Available on LuckyscentSunflowers by Elizabeth ArdenCKin2U by Calvin KleinMolecule 01 by Escentric Molecules / Available on LuckyscentII (Deux) by Trudon / Available on LuckyscentTihota by Indult / Available on LuckyscentB683 by Marc Antoine Barrois / Available on LuckyscentQuentin BischPoivre Samarcande by HermesPacific Park by Simone Andreoli / Available on LuckyscentJardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade / Available on LuckyscentFleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo / Available on LuckyscentPortrait of a Lady by Frederic MalleCool Water for Women by DavidoffBlack Tie by CelineMolecule 01 + Iris by Escentric Molecules / Available on LuckyscentSupernova by Andrea Maack / Available on LuckyscentCarine by Carine Roitfeld / Available on Luckyscent

On this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana bask in the holiday glow and talk about their favorite warm, spicy, cozy scents to wear at festive parties or for quiet times at home. They discuss the biggest note trends of the year and smell through their favorite scents of 2025.It's been a great year for perfume releases - what were some of your favorites in 2025?Perfumes mentioned in this episode:Bowmakers by DS and DurgaAmbre Liquide by Astier de VillatteHammersmith Tea & Biscuits by 4160 TuesdaysUnknown Pleasures by KeroseneEmpire des Indes by Oriza LegrandMyrrh Shadow by Bon ParfumeurMolecule 01 + Cistus by Escentric MoleculesOuarzazate by Comme des GarconsTobacco Memories by Chambre52Encore Une Fois by Infiniment CotyJapanese Whiskey by D'AnnamMonoscent G by What We Do Is SecretCarine by Carine RoitfeldVenice Rococo by ArquisteGreen Vanille by Regime des FleursBlood Spider Orchid by Regime des FleursApricot Innocence by Simone AndreoliCedrat Ceruse by L'Artisan ParfumeurWitchery by SorceIn Dreams & Fairytales by SorceVampire Husband by SorceJoyeux by Sultan Pasha PerfumesNightchild by EpichronTaipei by One DayWhite Rice by d'AnnamDirty Rice by BorntostandoutRice Makgeolli by Villa ErbatiumDelicious Rice Milk by Federico CantelliThe LIttle Mermaid by The Mischief AcademyKyoto by Le Gout de PeauAfrican Rooibos by Chris CollinsSavant by Chris CollinsMilk & Matcha by ObviousLondon Fog by BrandtJasmine Freak by Room 1015Bianco Latte by Giardini di ToscanaR & B by Zernell GillieCafe des Delices by Maison MatahaHosted by Steven Gontarski and Dana BuchananProduced by Emi Brown and Claire Jelinek

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve sits down with legendary master perfumer Olivier Cresp. They talk about his distinctive style, which Cresp refers to as minimalist and figurative, valuing simplicity with key ingredients. They touch on Olivier's generational roots in the perfume industry and his upbringing in Grasse. He discusses the various steps of the creation of Thierry Mugler's Angel - an iconic perfume that forever changed the landscape of perfumery - and the various ideas that went into the formation of Akro, a brand Olivier started with his daughter Anais, celebrating life's guilty pleasures.Perfumes mentioned in this episode:Bake by AkroCrush by AkroAngel by Thierry MuglerJuniper Sling by Penhaligon'sLIght Blue by Dolce & GabbanaMy Devotion by Dolce & GabbanaRise by AkroSmoke by AkroHosted by Steven Gontarski

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve talks with actor, musician and member of the Scent Bar family, Ronald Prokeš. They talk about the scents Ronny wore as a teen in the Czech Republic and his more recent fascination with chypres, fougeres and vintage perfumes. He describes how he sometimes uses scent to disassociate from social settings and how "an empty bottle is a happy bottle." Fragrances mentioned in this episode:Fierce by Abercrombie and FitchFahrenheit by DiorKenzo Jungle L'Elephant by KenzoMaai by Bogue ProfumoCocoa Kimiya by Atelier des OrsEau Noire by DiorVaruek by PRINGrand Chalet by Astier de VillatteMemoir Man by AmouageNuit de Bakelite by Naomi GoodsirIris Silver Mist by Serge LutensRauque by Roberto GrecoOeilleres by Roberto GrecoOpium by Yves Saint LaurentHosted by Steven GontarskiProduced by Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits with Chris Collins and asks him about his background in fashion and his pivot into perfume, one of his lifelong passions. He remembers the fragrances his father wore and the scents that inspired him to start his own brand. From knocking on the door of Robertet in Grasse to channeling his admiration for Prince's music into a new perfume, Chris shares many stories that describe the rewards and challenges of founding and directing a perfume line.Fragrances mentioned in this episode:Old Spice by Shulton CompanyGrey Flannel by Geoffrey BeeneBlue Jeans by VersaceObsession for Men by Calvin KleinPolo by Ralph LaurenL'eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey MiyakeRenaissance by Chris CollinsMusc Ravageur by Frederic MalleStraight to Heaven by By KilianAfrican Rooibos by Chris CollinsBabycat by YSLLust Oud Delice by Chris CollinsSavant Manhattan Cherry by Chris CollinsHosted by Steven Gontarski

Susannah Melvoin is known to many as a stellar musician and songwriter, having contributed to legendary albums by Prince and Madonna among others. Her passion for music is only rivalled by her passion for perfume. In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve sits with Susannah as they talk about the interplay between music and scent in creating atmospheres. She shares her earliest memories of her parents' perfumes, her first scent and her current go-to bottles while dropping some iconic stories. Want to know what the set for Prince's 'When Doves Cry' video smelled like?Perfumes mentioned in this episode:- Tihota by Indult- Encore Une Fois by Infiniment Coty- Molinard de Molinard by Molinard- Salome by Papillon Artisan Perfumes- Chanel No 19 by Chanel- Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz- Delulu by Oddity- Carine by Carine Roitfeld- Numero Uno (I) by Adamo Parfum- Isvaraya by Indult- Kagiroi by Di Ser- Mortel Noir by Trudon

Zernell Gillie has made his name as an international DJ and founder of a much-loved perfume brand inspired by musical genres. In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve talks with Zernell about his his journey from early days at high school sock-hops to his sets at Berghain, the legendary Berlin club. Music, fashion and scent have always coexisted in the club scene and have inspired Zernell for decades. Find out which fragrances have meant the most to him and how they have influenced his olfactive interpretations of his favorite music.Perfumes mentioned in this episode:- Polo by Ralph Lauren- Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene- Halston Z14 by Halston- Egoiste by Chanel- Ivory Route by Xerjoff- Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani- Dior Homme Intense by Dior- Pi by Givenchy- Sweetie Aoud by Roja Parfums- Geschopf by PMP- R & B by Zernell Gillie- Jazz by Zernell Gillie- Hip-Hop by Zernell Gillie- Coco by Chanel- Stetson by Coty- Tango by Masque Milano- Sweet Botswana Mystery by Modern Mark- Hypnotising Fire by The HarmonistMore information on Zernell Gillie can be found on zernellgillie.com

Few people deserve the status of Fashion Legend as much as Carine Roitfeld. As the editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue for a decade, through her collaborations with Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld and through her current publication, CR Fashion Book, she has indelibly shaped the direction of style and high fashion.In a conversation with Steve, Carine Roitfeld talks about the various titles she's adopted over the years from 'Combattante' during the student strikes of Paris 1968 to 'Magic Grandma' of today. She talks about the decision to create a fragrance brand as soon as she left Paris Vogue and her discussions with master perfumes like Dominique Ropion and Aurelien Guichard to create scent portraits of herself and several loves of her life.Perfumes mentioned in this episode:- Carine by Carine Roitfeld- Eau Vive by Carven- Fracas by Robert Piguet- Opium Pour Homme by YSL- Fleurs d'Oranger by Serge Lutens- L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain- Kar-Wai by Carine Roitfeld- Sebastien by Carine Roitfeld- Vladimir by Carine Roitfeld- George by Carine Roitfeld- Black Orchid by Tom Ford- Forgive Me by Carine RoitfeldHosted by: Steven GontarskiProduced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski