Perfume Palate: A Matter of Taste [Christine de la Garza of delaCav boots]

I've recently had the pleasure of connecting with Christine de la Garza via Twitter, and quickly discovered that we've got that insta-friend secret sauce. She's a luxury bespoke Western boot-maker with a growing love of perfume, and I'm a fragrance writer with a penchant for boots (which couldn't possibly grow stronger than it already is).

Christine has the kind of enthusiasm and positive energy that I love, and as I encounter more and more people who are jaded, bored or exude unfounded snootiness, I appreciate that amazing energy more than ever.

I just read a great quote in March's Glamour Magazine by Pascale Cohen, who works with jeweler Alexis Bittar. This is her secret to success:

"Enjoy your work. Enthusiasm is infectious."

First of all, please state your name and occupation:

Christine de la Garza

Founder, Designer & Maker – delaCav Handcrafted Bootwear

What is your favorite perfume at the moment?

I only recently added Piment Brulant by L’Artisan to my very narrow repertoire of favorite fragrances.  I discovered it when I took my daughter to the tiny L’Artisan shop at Henri Bendel in NYC so she could pick out her very own first fragrance on her 12^th birthday (last year).  The moment I took in that scent, an emotional and very visceral experience overwhelmed me. You see, I am Latina (Tex-Mex) and every night, when I was a kid, I would go out into our garden in South Texas to pick “chile piquin” for my dad to enjoy with his dinner. (These chiles are tiny red and green roundish peppers that grow on a spindly bushy tree). And these nearly lost but incredibly powerful memories came flooding over me. I almost cried. So, of course, I had to have it. It is an unusual scent I think.

What is your favorite fragrance house or brand of perfume?

I tend to be quite loyal, so I’ve been wearing L’Artisan for many years, and in particular, Premier Figuier exclusively - until about a year ago.  My daughter doesn’t like to me to wear anything else (i.e. Piment Brulant) as Premier Figuier has been my personal scent identity her whole life. She says it comforts her and that it will forever be the smell of her mama. So if I’m not wearing Premier Figuier, I don’t get as many hugs from her.

How often do you wear perfume, and under what circumstances do you wear it?

Everyday! But now I switch it up. I tend to wear Premier Figuier more as my everyday scent. It’s fresh and yet enticing. And I will switch to Piment Brulant at night and/or when I’m having a power meeting of some sort. I think it’s feminine and fierce at the same time.

The Roja Cowboy Boot by delaCav

Is it important to you to know who the perfumer or creator is behind the perfumes you wear?

Yes. Although this has been a more recent curiosity/passion.

Do you follow the work of certain perfumers, and if so, who?

No, I have not, but an obsession has kicked in of late.

Think of an iconic perfume bottle design from the past. What is it?

I don’t know about iconic, but again, from childhood, this bottle will forever live in my memory: Youth Dew by Estee Lauder. That feminine bottle with a little gold bow at the waist. Remind me of my mother and my grandmother too.

How many times a day do you estimate that you think about perfume?

I’d say I think of perfume 2 times a day because that’s how often I wear/refresh, but I am ever immersed in the “sensual” world. I am without a doubt an active “smeller” so scent most certainly plays a prominent role throughout my daily life.

Think of the last time you complimented someone on the fragrance they were wearing. Did you ask them what it was, and if so, did they tell you?

Yes! It was one of my brothers. The eau de toilette he was wearing was intoxicating to me! It was Encre Noire by Lalique.

In just three words, describe your ideal fragrance:

It will inspire: lingering neck kissing.

[Shop delaCav on Etsy and follow Christine on Twitter  and Pinterest!]