Victor Rolf Spicebomb. A present from my mother. It was the first time I had been proud to wear a fragrance and I made sure to wear it on every occasion, especially around her, trying to make her understand how much the gift meant to me.

I distinctly remember the scent of my first perfume: orange blossom. Very fresh yet sweet but in a light citrussy way. Wearing it made me feel so grownup – my mother had specifically waited until I was of a certain age to bestow it on me. I associated age with freedom, which was the ultimate feeling the perfume gave me.

Kyoto, ambery, how full of anticipation I sprayed it into the grey insides of a silk purse. I thought it would lure in the young punk but it made me shy, the scent obvious, a most unwelcome trait. I told him my kid sister had spilled it.

My first perfume was the smell of freshly picked green apples. I remember that I tried to capture the scent in a bottle to be able to put some of it behind my ears

Mugler's Angel. On me, it's always ended with a syrupy drydown of vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli. As a teen, I imagined it would make those I desired want to put me in their mouths.

One day, I’ve smelt a raw material which smells fresh cut grass. It took me back somewhere very emotional when I was little. I had the revelation that scents will always feed my soul and keep me remember. Today I am a Perfumer.

D&G Light Blue: Love in Capri, I felt sophisticated and alluring, like I had stepped into a new world of sensual communication.

JLo Glow! I felt grown-up, so mature and special! Seductive even as a pre-teen. Loved the bottle’s necklace.

My 11th birthday party (a disco in a church hall), a boy gave me Hugo Boss ‘Woman’ and I felt like I’d changed in some significant way.

Abercrombie & Fitch Perfume No.1. I was 16, left home for first year at a New England prep school. It promised of assimilation and all the innocent wonderful things one sees in American teen dramas, like prom and losing one’s virginity.

YSL Babydoll. Girly and flirty, it had a sweet scent, grapefruit.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bloom. It made me feel loved.