Formulated with organic, eco-friendly essential oils, Le Petit Skunk is a sophisticated patchouli-based scent specifically designed with unique healing properties, and the parfum is truly an awakening experience. I recently sat down with the founder of Modern Vanilla and creator of Le Petit Skunk, Erika Kuhn, to learn more about her brand and how it all started.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the fragrance market.
As a publicist under the wing of @aimeeisbeauty, I was introduced to different types of fragrance brands from luxury fragrance houses to independent perfumeries and aromatherapists. I grew up loving fragrance, graduating from 90’s Bath & Body Works sprays to Paris Hilton Eau de Parfum, but it wasn’t until learning about the benefits of fragrance and particularly essential oils that I realized how much more I wanted to know about this healing modality.
When did you start Modern Vanilla and what was the motivation behind it?
The concept of Modern Vanilla began during the pandemic. I had always known I wanted to run my own business and felt encouraged to finally take a chance. At the time, I was using essential oils every day to curb anxiety and pairing them with my yoga practice. I noticed that the benefits were permeating other areas of my life and wanted to create a product that was fun, unique, and also helped others live with more joy.
In your own words, please describe Modern Vanilla.
Modern Vanilla is a space where you’re encouraged to be your most eccentric self. It’s an oasis that’s fertile ground for learning and manifesting dreams. It’s an invitation to live with more love, ease, and creativity, without taking ourselves too seriously.
How did you come up with the name?
There was plenty of trial-and-error but I knew I wanted the name to be mysterious. It’s a play on words because ‘vanilla’ typically means plain but we value individuality and authenticity over everything else. It also represents the collective shift towards a more loving and sustainable future that starts with consumers.
Who is your fragrance Le Petit Skunk for?
Our fragrance is for unique people who don’t want to smell like everyone else. Le Petit Skunk is for creatives, forward thinkers, and those seeking the beauty in life. This fragrance helps wearers form a deeper connection with nature, themselves, and others.
Aphrodisiacs are an intriguing subject. Can you tell us how your fragrance as an aphrodisiac works together?
Scent is such a powerful sense for us and can trigger memories, feelings, and emotions. Fragrance is tied to seduction and the supernatural in ancient cultures, with Cleopatra as a reported fan of aphrodisiac essences. Our Le Petit Skunk Parfum Oil is an animalic fragrance made entirely from plant-based materials that make us feel exotic and sexy. Patchouli is an aphrodisiac often associated with sensuality and freedom of spirit. Spices like coriander and cardamom are known to stimulate the libido and increase sexual energy, while Jasmine balances feminine and masculine energy. I think that today, people are taking back their power on what feels ‘sexy’ for them, which includes self-love over external validation – which is what Modern Vanilla and Le Petit Skunk are all about.
For every Le Petit Skunk purchase the company will plant trees in regions that need them most. Sustainable and sexy, shop it HERE.
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