What inspired you to create your perfume company Ormonde Jayne?
I was asked by a friend to create the perfect scented candle for Chanel to burn in their boutique in Old Bond Street. It took me a long while to perfect but when I did, Chanel put in an order for 50 more and I suddenly had to submit an official invoice to them. It took a few years to perfect but once Ormonde Jayne had formed, I wanted to make a range of perfumes that weren’t like the scents you get on high streets anywhere in the world.
Where is your favourite place to eat out in west London?
I adore the restaurant in Blakes Hotel as I have fond memories of it with my husband – so we have to go back regularly to get our fix. Their menu is always changing but its owner Anouska Hempel oversees the design of every dish and there is always a strong Thai influence throughout. My favourite place for breakfast has to be The Wolseley. It is right on my door step, the atmosphere is electric, the décor sublime and breakfast is served so perfectly – a perfect way to set up the day ahead.
What smell holds the most nostalgia for you?
The smell of basmati rice – I love it! It reminds me of home and makes me feel secure. I even have it in one of my perfumes, Champaca.
What was the last exhibition/play you saw?
After The Rain, a dark and disturbing play. However, I did take the children to see Oliver! and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which were much more cheerful and fun.
If you weren’t a perfumer, what would you be doing?
I’d be a chocolatier. My chocolate creating skills are quite good and it’s what I do with the children on a rainy day.
Do any celebs wear your perfume? If so, can you name-drop a few?
Sophie Dahl is a fan of Ormonde Woman; Will Smith loves Isfarkand; Bryan Ferry loves Ormonde Man; Goldie Hawn wears Tolu; Ashley Jensen and Emma Thompson both love Champaca and Taif.
If there were a smell you could bottle what would it be?
There is an intoxicating flower that grows in Morocco called belle de nuit. This flower only comes out in the late afternoon and it is so magnificent that the local stray cats and dogs come to sit near the bushes to appreciate it. But it is impossible to bottle it as you would need tons of these tiny little flowers to make a half a kilo of oil (The petal is the size of a tea leaf).
Where do you like to chill out in west London?
Sitting on the banks of the Thames near Embankment and looking at all the grand gestures that make up London like Cleopatra’s Needle, The London Eye, The House of Lords, Big Ben and I especially love the view at night when all the bridges are lit up with fairy lights.
What’s your most memorable moment?
It’s 7pm on 26 July, 1996. I saw a man across the table and it was instant love – we have been together ever since.
What inspired the name for Ormonde Jayne?
The name originates from my middle name (Linda Jayne) and the place where I used to live, Ormonde Terrace. I love the sound of Ormonde and also the way it looks in writing. I just couldn’t bear the thought of seeing my name on a box or bag and let’s face it, Linda Pilkington is not really that exotic, poetic or inspiring!
What is in your fridge right now?
Quite a lot (the Ocado man came last night). Lots of salad, vegetables, strawberries, blueberries, steak and yoghurt. Plus, my Champagne fridge is full.
Where do you find inspiration for your perfumes?
My inspiration comes in all forms, shapes, colours, landscapes, botanical gardens, botanical books, materials and food. Elsewhere in the world Egypt is still my favourite country. I absolutely adore it and each time I leave I am weighed down with what I take away in inspiration! It has something to inspire everyone – desert lands, biblical monasteries in the middle of nowhere, clear blue seas, an extraordinary history, tombs, rivers, museums, good food, an abundance of botanical herbs and flowers, markets and amazing African sunsets.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I live, breath, eat, sleep Ormonde Jayne. Everything else is a blur.
