Jasmine Simone Williams, a junior integrated marketing communication major with over 2,000 Instagram followers and 200 subscribers on YouTube collaborated with custom fragrance company SCENTCRAFT to develop and launch a personalized scent called “Simone”, which she posted about on her Instagram on February 19.
She wrote in the caption that “Simone is a scent made to make you feel empowered, yet soft.”
The process took approximately four weeks, during which Williams approved details such as the notes and packaging. She decided early on that she wanted the top note to be jasmine to match her personal brand. Other ingredients are violet, bergamot, green tea, sandalwood, musk and more.
“It’s based on what I like to smell for myself. I knew I prefer more vanilla, musk scents. I wanted something mature that lasted long and that you could smell the entire day,” Williams said. “So I was like, ‘Okay, what are some scents and fragrances that I can put in that represent me, but also give you your money’s worth?’”
Williams said the brand reached out to her via email after seeing her Instagram platform, and she knew immediately that she wanted to participate, hoping to help the brand, and get a taste of her future career.
She said she wants to continue social media content creation and to open her own business one day.
“I’m just not ready to start a clothing company or something, I want something a little more simple. But, it’s also such a cool thing. People can order this and have it on their nightstand or dresser and it’s me, you know, it’s a way I can present myself to others,” Williams said.
She added that the support she received in response “brought her so much joy.”
The perfume is a set of three available for purchase under her name on the SCENTCRAFT website. The other two, JW39 and JW32, were secondary but can be used on their own or can be layered, according to Willams’ Instagram.
Alexandria Newberry, a senior social work major, photographer and friend to Williams took the photos for her Instagram announcement. She said, “(Williams) has always been a trendsetter,” and it meant a lot to her that Jasmine trusted her with the branding for her perfume line.
“I was honored to help her bring her vision to life.”
The company producing the perfume, SCENTCRAFT, is a woman-owned small business that allows customers to either create their own fragrance, or to give the ability to do so to others via certificates.
Their website says that they “combine the tactile beauty of the physical world with the immediacy and sheer convenience of a digital experience.”
Those interested can purchase Williams’ perfume at the link in her LinkTree under the Instagram handle @jasminesimonew.
