And she does it all her way — naturally. Aftel is also a noted author, including a cookbook, Aroma, which offers one fragrance recipe and three food recipes for each of nearly 30 ingredients discussed, such as green tea, vanilla and ginger. This is the perfume world’s answer to the Joy of Cooking. In addition, Aftel has been an advocate for perfume education, leading demonstrations and classes at the University of Southern California and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, among other institutions.
Topics discussed: Aftel's beginnings, the hectic page of the industry, finding inspiration, ingredient-driven creation, interest in ingredients, vanilla.