"That’s when I understood – we, the people of Kyiv and Ukraine, are unbreakable. We are Invincible."
Nata, your journey from the chaos of Kyiv to the bustle of London is truly inspiring. Could you share with us your experiences during the onset of the war in Kyiv?
Kyiv was a city full of contrasts, incredibly beautiful but also facing a lot of turmoil. When the war started, it felt like a dark shadow was over us. We lived close to the highway on the outskirts of Kyiv, so we could hear the sound of explosions and rockets flying by. It was a really scary time. Everything in our lives changed after that.
One day in early March, I was walking down the quiet streets of Kyiv. Then I heard the beautiful sound of church bells ringing. It was really surprising because everything else was closed – the church was the only place that seemed alive.
The sound of the bells was incredibly moving and comforting. It brought a sense of calm and peace to my mind.
That’s when I understood – we, the people of Kyiv and Ukraine, are unbreakable.
We are Invincible.
We might be afraid, but war can’t take away our freedom, our faith, or our hope. Even in the toughest times, we still hold on to what’s spiritual.
I was inspired to capture the essence of that sacred church bell sound in a fragrance, allowing me to embrace its blessing at any moment.
The heart of this fragrance is composed of myrrh, a holy and sacred resin, alongside Somalian frankincense, which adds a warm, woody, and balsamic quality. Adding to its uniqueness is the opoponax absolute, labdanum absolute and a rich, bittersweet vanilla absolute. These core ingredients blend harmoniously to evoke the serenity and sanctity of the church bells.
Accentuating this blend are touches of spices and aromatic Myrtle, complemented by the zesty freshness of bergamot and the radiant notes of bitter orange. These elements come together to form a composition that is not just a fragrance, but a sensory journey, reminiscent of that profound moment of peace and resilience.
"Many times, I found myself hiding under the table when the sirens reminded us to shelter, using the light from my phone to continue to mix scents - this is how Invincible was made."
Creating a fragrance under those circumstances must have been a monumental task.
Monumental, yes, but also strangely grounding.
Power cuts and curfews quickly became the new normal for us. I had to move into my lab, because my apartment was too dangerous to stay in. I lived in a tall building and the building nearby was already hit by rockets. I knew it was only a matter of time before our building would be hit too.
The lab became a safe place for me, at least I could make perfumes all day long (a dream for a perfumer), but it wasn’t all easy. Many times, I found myself hiding under the table when the sirens reminded us to shelter, using the light from my phone to continue to mix scents - this is how Invincible was made.
It was like finding a small light in a very dark night. Making Invincible kept me grounded. Even with the sound of explosions outside, I still had a lot of hope and faith in our future.
Nata making Invincible under the table during curfew and power cuts
That sounds incredibly challenging. How was life as a perfumer during such tumultuous times?
It was a surreal balance of fear and normalcy. Our little WhatsApp group became a haven of light-heartedness amidst the darkness. There's something oddly humorous about being interrupted by sirens mid-shower, wondering if you'll meet your fate with shampoo in your hair. Despite the chaos, the demand for perfumes persisted. It seemed to offer a sense of normalcy and escape. I continued teaching my perfume classes, and the joy it brought to people was a lighthouse in those dark times.
What was the turning point that led you to move to London?
The decision to leave wasn't made lightly. My family, my beloved cat, Ginger, my entire life was in Kyiv. But I started to have days in a row when I just couldn’t sleep. You never knew what would happen next, a rocket attack, a drone? It really took a toll on my mental and physical health. I was craving for just a few quiet nights so I could rest and think again.
I remember stocking up on cat food, asking my neighbor to take care of the cats in the neighborhood while I was gone. You don’t read much about animals during war but they suffer too. I was feeding 18 cats when the war broke out, and now I had to leave them too.
There are days when the weight of my past life creeps in, and even getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain.
And how was your transition to London?
London was like a breath of fresh air, vibrant and so colorful.
Also, meeting people like Sara McCartney, a mentor and a star in the perfume world, has been incredible.
But I wasn’t planning on staying initially. I thought a few weeks in London would be enough for me to gain back my strength and get back to Kyiv to finish my work: bring joy to people with my perfumes. And I thought the war would be over soon. So I went back to Kyiv.
I was so wrong.
The war kept going, so my mental health got worse and worse. Many of my friends also left. Life got more and more disrupted. So I decided to make my way again to London, but this time to stay.
Things are better now, and I am focusing on launching my brand, Sentire Perfumes for the London audience which is very exciting. But there are days when the weight of my past life creeps in, and even getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain.
Meet Invincible - the scent of Hope and Irresistibility.
Your customers are raving about your work. What’s your secret?
I'm a self-confessed perfume nerd. I dedicated years to understanding every olfactive family and remembering by heart hundreds of raw materials. I learned the best way to combine perfume materials and to transform them into beautiful compositions.
I believe in the power of a good perfume. It's not just a scent; it's an experience, a memory, an emotion. And once people experience that kind of quality, they can't go back to the ordinary.
Finally, can you share your plans for Sentire in London?
We're gearing up for a launch party next year. It's not just about introducing Sentire; it's about bringing a piece of my world to London, spreading the love and art of perfumery.
Nata, your story is not just one of creating exquisite scents but also of finding light in darkness, of resilience, and of unwavering hope. Thank you for sharing your remarkable journey with us.
Nata in London
