Perfume Wardrobe: Cassandra Dittmer on Her "Quintessential L.A." Fragrance and Extra

“I feel it is essential now greater than ever to proceed our private magnificence routines,” says stylist Cassandra Dittmer of her quarantine perfume behavior. It is no shock that the L.A.-based sustainability knowledgeable considers perfume a last step of getting dressed, and even much less in order that her private perfume wardrobe consists of an eclectic mixture of African apothecary finds blended with cool-girl staples, like Byredo and Le Labo. Dittmer, who has labored in style for years, grew disillusioned with the trade’s immense carbon footprint and lack of knowledge of sustainability practices. She vowed that if she had been to remain in style, she could be a power for change, serving to deliver consciousness to bigger manufacturers about their ecological and social influence, in addition to connecting smaller manufacturers on the forefront sustainable applied sciences and practices. Lately, she kinds the likes of Laura Dern and Bebe Rexha, and is considered a voice of sustainable style. Forward, get to know Cassandra Dittmer and her quintessentially L.A. perfume wardrobe.

How would you describe your perfume model? 

My perfume model has all the time been distinctive. I acquired actually into perfume once I moved to Los Angeles—I vividly bear in mind going to Unique Scent in Pasadena the place you possibly can create your personal customized fragrances. It was actually cool to have blind scent exams and see all of their beakers with any scent you possibly can presumably think about. I’ve all the time liked one thing that could be a bit masculine meets female. The primary perfume I created I known as the “Cassbomb.” It was a citron, amber, musk, and patchouli combo that was refined, but in addition actually attention-grabbing and deep. It was a type of that softly lingers all through the day which I really like. I’m additionally very into notes which might be earthy and spicy. Rising up, I used to be all the time very into cologne and robust scents. I undoubtedly wasn’t a floral woman!  

What was the primary perfume you ever purchased and why? 

To be sincere, I needed to affirm with my mother earlier than answering this query. I might have sworn it was the Coach Summer time Version perfume, however she insists that Restricted Too’s “It Lady” was a fair earlier first alternative. (She additionally mentioned, “After all, you preferred the mens too.”) I vividly do not forget that I used to be fairly loopy for all the things with the coloured “C”s from the Coach line rising up, nonetheless, I’m not shocked that Restricted Too was my very first perfume as a result of I used to be fully enamored with that retailer. Rising up within the midwest it was a giant deal to go to the mall and the perfume counter. I undoubtedly took my candy time going by the entire fragrances on the Von Maur counter. I think about that again within the day I used to be actually into no matter bottle seemed the good versus the precise scent!   

Do you continue to put on perfume even when you do not go away the home?

I completely nonetheless put on a spritz of perfume whereas at house! It’s in all probability largely recurring at this level, however I feel it is essential now greater than ever to proceed our private magnificence routines. I feel I’ve consciously worn a bit much less figuring out that I seemingly gained’t be leaving the home, however I do nonetheless assume dressing up and feeling good for your self is an important factor! 

Your WFH perfume: 

My favourite perfume proper now’s Terra Flora from Wild Olive, an African apothecary. This parfumerie was established by a chemist within the ’70s. I used to be in Cape City final yr and, whereas I used to be there, I met one of many ladies who works there and acquired a tour of the ability. Their merchandise are 100% pure, created in home, and are impressed by the Floral Kingdom of the Cape of Africa. I used to be fully fascinated by their total course of—I’ve by no means seen such artistry and science all rolled into one. They perform as champions of sustainable, progressive, and socially accountable entrepreneurship which is all the things I stand for as nicely. They respect the custom of the craft whereas additionally implementing new applied sciences. They are saying their merchandise are made with integrity and purity of goal. I feel it’s so essential to know totally different markets and merchandise to try to perceive sustainability holistically.   

Your cozy sweatsuit perfume: 

Clear Reserve White Fig & Bourbon. This has been a staple perfume for me this final yr. I wore this quite a bit once I was working in Seattle so I’ve a comfortable and wet affiliation to this perfume. It makes me consider late nights and early morning drives out and in of the Seattle drizzle. It additionally provides me some main flashbacks to taking a look at Mount Rainier proper because the fog lifts. This perfume was undoubtedly a girlboss second for me in my life.  

The perfume that brings you consolation: 

I grew to become obsessive about all Maison Margiela fragrances about seven or eight years in the past. I really like REPLICA Seaside Stroll. I began to put on this once I lived in Venice Seaside with a few girlfriends in an previous home just a few blocks up from the water. I really like the carefree reminiscences this perfume brings me again to. It undoubtedly makes me shut my eyes and smile: I’m reminded of lengthy bike rides to Hermosa, summer season live shows on the Pier, and early morning exercises on the sand earlier than the vacationers would are available in for the day. There’s a snug and secure ease that evokes such fond reminiscences with this perfume.  

The perfume you spritz to deliver again good reminiscences:

After Seaside Stroll, my subsequent favourite perfume is Le Labo Santal 33. I first found this in candle type and ultimately made my option to the fragrance. To me, this perfume is the quinnessential “L.A.” scent. Now it’s virtually too recognizable, however it nonetheless makes me really feel linked to town in an enthralling method. I wore it once I lived in L.A. alone for the primary time and began my very own styling firm so it’s my entrepreneur scent for positive. The peak of my obsession with it was across the time I began to vary my entire mindset to favor a extra pure magnificence routine with extra of an ease. Beginning my very own enterprise was the scariest and bravest factor I’ve achieved up to now. Santal 33 was my go-to throughout this time and I’ll always remember it. 

The candle you are presently burning proper now and why (embody what it smells like)

I’m presently burning Byredo Bohemia in my studio as I kind this. In a bizarre method, this candle provides me such wanderlust and is a little bit of an escape. I actually decide up the sandalwood and rosemary on this mix. It additionally has this Opopanax and mossy tones to it that make it an ideal transition from summer season to fall. I can virtually really feel the seasons change once I mild it. 

What you scent while you need to unwind/destress: 

I’ve been lighting a bunch of Northwest Sparks candles these days. I significantly love the oakmoss and amber one. It’s a small Seattle candle model that I discovered final yr. They solely use environmentally accountable supplies of their candles and so they have an eco-friendly woven cotton wick and final for a extremely very long time.  

The scent you will affiliate with this time:  

I’ve a Valentino perfume that acquired despatched to me earlier this yr. I had all of my stuff in storage and was planning on shifting to London when the pandemic hit. It’s a bit candy and romantic, however it has fully grown on me. I really feel prefer it makes me pause a bit extra and evokes a little bit of reflection because it’s such a brand new scent for me. With all the things that is happening on this planet in the present day, I completely do not thoughts that my perfume has a bit extra sugar than earlier than. It has been a heat contact that I did not know I wanted.

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