Octavia Morgan first discovered her love of fragrance at a young age. Her grandmother reminded her, “A woman is never fully dressed until she sprays her fragrance.” And she took those words to heart.
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Octavia Morgan first discovered her love of fragrance at a young age. Her grandmother reminded her, “A woman is never fully dressed until she sprays her fragrance.” And she took those words to heart.
After discovering that she had developed a sensitivity to certain ingredients in mass-produced scents, Morgan combined her background as a registered nurse with her passion for fragrance to develop her own brand. OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles offers clean, genderless fine fragrances, home fragrance and personal care products made with botanicals and plant oils.
Perfumer & Flavorist+ spoke with Morgan about how she developed her brand to break away from traditional gender norms in fragrance and becoming the first Black-owned prestige fragrance brand at Ulta Beauty.
Tell me about your journey to creating your fragrance brand.
[Morgan]: My journey to creating OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles was deeply personal, rooted in a lifelong love for fragrance, self-expression, and clean beauty. I’ve
Octavia Morgan, founder and creative directorCourtesy of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles
The idea for my brand emerged when I developed sensitivities to certain ingredients commonly found in fragrances on the market. This experience opened my eyes to a gap in the industry: the need for gender-inclusive, clean, and sophisticated fragrances that didn’t compromise on luxury or performance. As someone who personally understands scent sensitivities, it was essential to create high-quality, mindful formulations that could be worn and enjoyed by everyone.
Building this brand has been a journey of resilience, passion, and purpose. From perfecting each scent to launching in Ulta Beauty, every step has been a testament to believing in my vision, overcoming challenges, and staying dedicated to the artistry of fine fragrance. Today, OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles is more than just perfume—it’s about empowerment, individuality, and elevating the senses through scent.
You developed sensitivity to mass-produced scents. When did this happen, and how did it affect your career goals in the fragrance industry?
[Morgan]: I developed sensitivities to mass-produced fragrances over time, but it became especially noticeable when I found myself reacting to certain ingredients 
OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles' portfolio includes fine fragrances, home fragrance products and personal care products.Courtesy of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles
This experience shifted my career goals, pushing me to create a brand that prioritized clean, high-quality ingredients while still delivering depth, artistry, and performance. It became my mission to craft gender-inclusive, sophisticated fragrances that could be worn comfortably by anyone, including those with sensitivities like mine. This challenge ultimately led to the creation of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, a brand built on the belief that fragrance should be both an indulgence and an experience that feels good on the skin and in the soul.
Why do you think it's important to bring clean fragrances into the market?
[Morgan]: Bringing clean fragrances into the market is essential because consumers deserve options that are both luxurious and mindful—without compromising on quality, artistry, or performance. Some traditional fragrances contain harsh synthetics and sensitizing ingredients that can trigger reactions or discomfort, leaving people without scents they can truly enjoy.
For me, clean fragrance is about more than just avoiding certain ingredients; it's about thoughtful formulation, transparency, and creating a sensory experience that feels good for everyone. People are becoming more conscious of what they put on their bodies, and fragrance should be no exception. With OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, my goal is to offer sophisticated, gender-inclusive scents that elevate the senses while respecting well-being and the environment.
Your scents are also unisex. How do you see the trend of unisex fragrances evolving in the future?
The rise of unisex fragrances represents a broader shift in the beauty industry, one that embraces individuality, self-expression and breaking away from traditional gender norms. Scent has no inherent gender; it’s deeply personal and should be about how it makes you feel, not about outdated labels of “for men” or “for women.”
I see this trend continuing to grow as more consumers seek fragrances that align with their identity and mood rather than being confined to a category. The future of fragrance is about fluidity, inclusivity, and artistry, where people choose scents based on personal connection rather than marketing. With OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, I wanted to create a collection that reflects this movement offering clean, sophisticated, and gender-inclusive scents that allow everyone to express themselves freely.
On the rise of unisex fragrances, Morgan said, "The future of fragrance is about fluidity, inclusivity, and artistry, where people choose scents based on personal connection rather than marketing."Courtesy of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles
Your brand recently launched in Ulta Beauty, making it the first Black-owned prestige fragrance brand in the store. What does this accomplishment mean to you?
[Morgan]: Launching OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles in Ulta Beauty as the first Black and Woman owned prestige fragrance brand is an incredibly meaningful milestone. It represents not only my personal journey as a perfumer and entrepreneur but also a larger moment for representation, inclusivity, and breaking barriers in the fragrance industry.
Fragrance has traditionally been an exclusive space, and this accomplishment shows that luxury, artistry, and clean, gender-inclusive scents can be created by diverse voices and resonate with a wide audience. It’s an honor to bring my brand to such a major retailer, and I hope this achievement inspires and paves the way for more Black-owned and independent fragrance houses to thrive in the prestige space.
How can the fragrance industry continue to advocate for Black perfumers and Black-owned brands?
[Morgan]: The fragrance industry can advocate for Black perfumers and Black-owned brands by prioritizing visibility, access, and opportunities at every level. This means elevating diverse voices in fragrance creation, investing in Black-owned brands, and ensuring fair representation in retail partnerships and media coverage.
There also needs to be a stronger commitment to mentorship and funding, as many Black perfumers face barriers in accessing industry resources, from raw materials to distribution channels. Retailers and fragrance houses can create incubator programs, grants, and networking opportunities to help emerging talent break into the space.
Most importantly, advocacy should go beyond a trend; it should be an ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and diverse industry where talent and innovation are valued, regardless of background.
