Cover Jo Loves founder Jo Malone, CBE (fourth from left) with guests at the event
Jo Loves founder Jo Malone, CBE (fourth from left) with guests at the event
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Tatler+
Hosting the Jo Loves founder on her first visit to Manila, we equally indulged in her captivating flair as a storyteller and her decadent, evocative scent creations
It’s been a busy month for master perfumer and innovator Jo Malone, CBE. On the night she joined us for cocktails, dinner, and heartfelt exchanges at the Raffles Makati, she had just come from Melbourne, Sydney, and Bangkok; and was flying out to Malaysia and Singapore next. She was on a whirlwind tour across different Jo Loves boutiques in Australia and Southeast Asia, leaving echoes of her soul-stirring story and scents wherever she roamed.
Jo spread her magic and left guests in awe at the exclusive event hosted by Tatler with Jo Loves and Prestige Group. “I’ve been able to share and tell my story all over the world, and for me, it never loses its excitement,” she told our guests on that special evening. “I’m always struck by how blessed I am to still be in this industry and still able to build a global brand.”
Above Jo Malone, CBE talks about one of her unique innovations for Jo Loves: the Fragrance Paintbrush
Above Gifts each guest took home
Jo Malone, CBE talks about one of her unique innovations for Jo Loves: the Fragrance Paintbrush
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The British perfumer held everyone’s rapt attention as she revisited the events between leaving one eponymous brand and building another. We sat transfixed as she recounted her cancer diagnosis at age 38, the year of chemotherapy that had saved her life but taken her sense of smell, and her departure from the fragrance empire that made her a legend in the industry.
A month later, however, her sense of smell came back; it was different yet more “aggressive”, as she put it. “It was like winning a million quid, and suddenly that currency doesn’t exist anymore,” she mused. Five years later, she knew she had to start again.
“I had fought for my life, and living my best life meant creating fragrances,” said Jo. With her husband Gary Willcox and dear son Josh behind her, she founded Jo Loves with a renewed drive and sense of self in 2011.
Read more: Ladies Who Lead: Jo Malone on the role of fear in being a pioneer and staying relevant
The raconteur was candid about the challenges of mounting a second brand from scratch. She jests, recalling the “awful” red packaging they initially produced, and lists the many things they got wrong in those first two years of Jo Loves. “The only thing I got right was the fragrances,” Jo says with a smile. “And honestly, this is me,” she adds later, gesturing behind her to the nearly plain white wall with the Jo Loves emblem and red dot. “I’m just a canvas for life. Paint on me, let me paint on you.”
Above White roses, Jo Malone CBE's favourite, deck the venue of our exclusive event with Jo Loves
White roses, Jo Malone CBE's favourite, deck the venue of our exclusive event with Jo Loves
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So far, the brand has a repertoire of 20 lush, evocative scents—headed by Pomelo, a sparkling fragrance reminiscent of blissful summer holidays and hopeful beginnings. As the sharp and memorable notes of Pomelo filled the room that evening at Raffles, Jo relayed, “She [Pomelo] is our matriarch, and every time I smell her, like right now, she is really smiling at you.”
With each scent she creates, Jo tells a story of her life. Cherished memories of riding horses in Montana, rose picking for her home, staying at the Amanpuri in Thailand, and more have all been encapsulated in one-of-a-kind fragrances, consequently translated into lotions, candles, diffusers, and bath products. The maverick creator also beamed about Jo Loves’ innovative Fragrance Paintbrush, which holds a scent’s gel formula in a refillable tube for fuss-free travels and a longer-lasting olfactory experience.
Above Jo Malone, CBE's autobiography alongside her signature Jo Loves scents
Jo Malone, CBE's autobiography alongside her signature Jo Loves scents
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Wrapping up her speech with an invitation to “Fragrance Tapas” at the recently opened Jo Loves boutique in Manila, the master perfumer joined us for more lovely conversations over dinner, expertly prepared by Raffles Makati’s culinary artisans.
As another special treat, she drew everyone’s attention again when she called Karen Davila to the centre of the room, demonstrating how she layers fragrant notes to evoke one’s favourite memories. Upon hearing Davila’s most treasured memory—the first time her son David called her “mum”—Jo worked her magic almost instantly. She picked up five fragrant notes and layered them around Davila, filling the room with a unique, vivid redolence of floral amber and cheery citrus to invoke the spirit of laughter, joy, and hope.
See also: Dear mums: A letter to the three mothers who inspire me every day
Above Jo Malone CBE crafts a truly personal fragrance experience for Karen Davila
Above Jo Malone CBE signs a copy of her book for Tatler Philippines Managing Director, Irene Martel Francisco
Jo Malone CBE crafts a truly personal fragrance experience for Karen Davila
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As dinner drew to a close, she also graciously stopped by each guest to write on the gift bags each one would take home. With that, her resonant story will continue with every spritz and whiff—just as she has always intended for the Jo Loves brand.
Visit the Jo Loves boutique on the ground floor of Glorietta 4, Makati. Browse through more moments from the event below:
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Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
