ARTNATIC What is it that thing that makes someone willing to create perfumes?

Joelma Thompson Wirz

Imagining a fragrance and not only making perfumes for everyone, but also creating perfumes that are unique to a friend, someone special or yourself. With Joelma Thompson Wirz you can ask for all of this. She knows how to adapt and translate your exclusive perfume into personalized fragrances. When I asked what perfumery is for her, she told me that she sees it as art. That’s why she calls her place of work: THE ATELIER. Essences cannot be combined by chance, there is a logic, but an artist’s creativity transforms them into an artistic composition.

Born in Rio de Janeiro city, she moved to Cachoeiro do Itapemirim very young. It’s a medium-sized city, but which is also sunny and has beautiful colors as her hometown. Then, she went to Switzerland where she has been living for 30 years. Married to Patrick, a Swiss, she has two precious jewels: Lukas and Naomi.

A hard work life, very rewarding, though. Creating is like that, many hours to be able to distill the essence that will please someone. Guide, listen, feel... all the senses have to be used, a lot of energy, very good energy!

We asked Joelma a few questions to find out what the “alchemist” work she does is like.

What scents do you prefer to put your ideas, your expressions in the perfumes you create?

Joelma: Each perfume I make is a unique work. As they are personalized, I have to think about the aromas that best suit each client, according to the profile and desire of each one.

At the beginning, I had to “fight with myself” not to give preference to the essences that I liked, I had to learn to put myself in the other person’s skin, understand and interpret what he/she wanted. And so, being able to customize the perfume to the client’s full satisfaction.

At your company, do you work with people of other nationalities?

Joelma: Yes

When you work with them (or for them) do you feel your Brazilian side or do you think it is a mix?

Joelma: I can’t say if there is a side that predominates, after so long living in Switzerland, a lot of my Brazilian side, in my way of thinking and acting, it got lost, but in essence (using a word to my dear) I am Brazilian . I give an example: a Swiss cliente will be very direct

in her desire for a perfume, even indicating the predominant essence that she would like. And I go to that direction. A Brazilian client describes a moment, a place, she searches in her affective memory, the smell that she wants to reproduce in her perfume. And there is my Brazilian side that manages to interpret poetry and the way of seeing life that only we have.

When did the perfume adventure start?

Joelma: My profession was quite another: language teacher (French, Italian and Portuguese) and interpreter. Since the birth of my children, I decided to stay at home and take care of my family, taking a break from work. That is why so many got scared when I appeared as a perfumer. And it all started with a need for me to have a different perfum from what the “market” had to offer. I got in touch with a perfumer, one of the 3 renowned in Switzerland, and she received me, I was delighted ... I fell in love. In front of me more than 100 bottles with different essences, I felt like one child in a candy store. And the way in which she spoke of each of them, was magical. I went back home with the decision to walk this road.

What are the next projects?

Joelma: I feel satisfied and privileged by the doors that have been opened for me, testing my ability and knowledge. This is what I want for my future.

Do you have any tips for a girl or boy who wants to follow this path?

Joelma: First of all, test your aptitude, it would be like saying to anyone who wants to be a singer if they have a good voice. The nose of a perfumer is your main instrument. It would be interesting to participate in Workshops where you can learn more about this world of charm and glamor, but also a lot of work and patience.

What are the values that you consider more important?

Joelma: Loving the others, one of the most difficult of the commandments. Feeling the pain that my neighbor feels, loving others is also to rejoice in the victories and achievements of others.

A hard work life, very rewarding, though. Creating is like that, many hours to be able to distill the essence that will please someone. Guide, listen, feel... all the senses have to be used, a lot of energy, very good energy!