In the first part of the interview, Richard Saint-Ford spoke about the creation of IGGYWOO, his cultural roots and why he knows no rules as a perfumer. Now it gets specific: in part 2, he provides insights into his fragrance compositions, talks about psychedelically inspired ideas, memories that have become fragrances and flacons that are designed like sculptures. He also reveals why he is working on a rose that doesn’t yet exist and what he thinks carnations have to do with love.
Dear Richard, how did the collection come about? Did you have a clear vision or did one thing develop from another?
I have a distinct approach to concepting each fragrance, but the collection as a whole is intentionally individualist. Each fragrance begins with a visual in my mind – the colors, the landscapes, the energy it exudes. Once that vision is clear, I create the name, which is almost as important as the fragrance itself, and then choose a single ingredient as the foundation to build from.
While every scent carries an unmistakable IGGYWOO signature – a thread that connects them all – they are less rigid, more free-spirited, and bounce around more than traditional brands. This keeps the process unexpected and our creations alive.
How long does it take for a fragrance to be ready?
Timeframes and scent trails can vary wildly. Cashmere Show Pony came together in just a couple of days—helped along by psychedelics and a beach in Barbados – while Flower Boy and our newest scent, Pistachio Voodoo Child, both took over two years to perfect. As a perfumer, some ingredients can elude you for what feels like forever—until something finally clicks. Other times, it’s a hit within five attempts.
I don’t agonize over my creations. Once my nose tells me it’s right, I trust it. I rarely seek opinions from others—I believe in what I create and move on to the next.
How are the names reflected in the fragrances – or vice versa?
Our fragrance names are almost as important as what’s inside the bottle – they act as a prelude to the scent experience. Each one is a snapshot of a moment, a feeling, or a vision that sparks the creation.
For example, Cashmere Show Pony was born on a psychedelic trip in Barbados, where I envisioned a blonde show pony with coconuts in its mane. I asked myself, “What would that smell like?” – and our best-seller was created.
Pistachio Voodoo Child carries layered meanings. It features the rare Voodoo Dancer Lily, alongside jasmine, a ceremonial flower, giving it a hypnotic, almost ritualistic energy.
Night Narcotic captures the essence of a hedonistic night in London and Los Angeles. It’s built around the sexy, sweaty haze of tobacco and citrus—an intoxicating scent that lingers long after the night is over.
What can you tell us about the bottles, especially the eye-catching lids?
The lid is an architectural interpretation of a flower in full bloom – something I designed years before IGGYWOO even launched. I noticed many brands simply using the stock lids that came with their bottles, but that was never the direction I wanted for IGGYWOO.
We’re obsessed with aesthetics – both visual and olfactory. The lid is a key signifier of our brand, often the first thing people spot in a crowded retail space. It was worth the investment to create something truly unique.
It is crafted from matte resin with a powdered white coating, and I added a weight inside, giving it a satisfying, tactile luxury feel when held.
Is there currently an ingredient that particularly fascinates you?
Rose – but only because I haven’t yet found a rose scent I’d personally wear. I’ve been working on one for over three years now, searching for a way to make it hit differently from anything I’ve smelled before. That kind of precision takes time – narrowing it down, pushing boundaries, and refusing to settle until it’s exactly right.
And is there a fragrance that you find difficult?
Oud is always a tricky one – it can be overpowering. A lot of people see oud in a fragrance and move on to the next scent without giving it a try. That’s why, in Fantasma Overglow, I’ve used Royal Indian Oud, but enveloped it in citrus to soften its intensity. However, at some point, I plan to go all in on oud – to see what it looks like under the lens of IGGYWOO, unapologetically bold and unfiltered.
Which scent from your childhood do you particularly remember?
Clove holds a deep, personal significance for me – it reminds me of my childhood. My grandmother used it to soothe my toothaches, something I had often growing up. But to me, the scent of clove always symbolized love and comfort. That’s why it’s an essential note in our scent, Love Extreme – a fragrance that carries that same warmth of extreme love.
What can we expect from IGGYWOO in the future?
We have two more fragrances to launch this year, one of which is a part of a new Extrait collection. We will also be launching an extended scent collection which will be hand and body care.
Dear Richard, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
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