Laura
Laura
I consider myself a creative by profession, but for Makers, I’m a “chandler”—a candle maker. But not just any candles: I make scented candles from soy-based vegetable wax, with wooden wicks, poured into metal tins. All of these characteristics have been present since the very first candle I made and are now part of the identity of the brand Reminiscent of.
The name of the brand comes from my fascination with the sense of smell and its ability to instantly transport us or remind us of certain moments, places, or people in our lives. No other sense has such a strong and immediate impact. I chose to express this fascination through candles because it was the most accessible and hands-on way for me to explore perfumery techniques. Also, a candle in itself is a special object: it invites you to pause, to reflect, to connect, to engage in a ritual—all things we deeply need in our lives.
I wanted to capture the remnants of moments, places, or people inside those metal tins—giving people the chance to relive them anytime, with just the strike of a match.
To create the right effect, I always draw inspiration from experiences and places we’re all familiar with. Most of us know the scent of linden flowers in early summer, the salty sea breeze, or the warmth of a campfire in the middle of the forest. From time to time, I also take imaginary journeys through space or into fantasy worlds—this is when the limited edition collections appear. In these, not only are the scents unique, but so are the containers, packaging, and all the little extras (like stickers, matches, or cards) designed to fully immerse you in these otherworldly experiences.
Sometimes I feel the need to rely on these kinds of tricks, because the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far is trying to sell scents online. Remember that April Fool’s joke from Google where they announced a “smell-search” feature? I’m still waiting for that to become real :)) People know what lemon smells like, and pine—but they may not have experienced the combination of the two. And even less so the scent of another planet or bioluminescent giant flowers. That’s why, for me—and for this type of product in general—having a physical presence in stores is so important. I’d love to have candles in every city across the country, but unfortunately, there are only a handful of shops that support local brands, and they’re only in a few places.
Another big challenge is competition. Technically speaking, it’s not a difficult product to make, and since the raw materials are accessible even here in Romania, many other makers have appeared—using the same type of wax, wicks, and sometimes even the same fragrances.
To stay relevant, I try to keep Reminiscent of in a constant state of growth—both as a brand and in terms of product quality. I’m always adding new scents and collections, using my own unique fragrance blends sourced exclusively from Grasse, France—the capital of perfume.
I’ve also started expanding the product line: beyond candles, I now offer several types of reed diffusers and room sprays, which are perfect for the warmer months. And I have a big dream—to someday launch a line of body products with the same scents, including perfumes. But that’s a goal I can’t achieve alone—I’ll need a small team of specialists to get there.
I hope Reminiscent of continues to grow beautifully, to spread everywhere just like perfume particles do—and to collect even more moments, places, and people for others to enjoy.
Reminiscent of on Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reminiscent.of//
website:
or on site:
MYAH in Piata Traian, Timisoara: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t3C4zZYh4zxznUX2A
Laura
“Ma consider creativ de profesie, dar pentru Makers sunt un "chandler", adica un producator de lumanari. Dar nu orice fel, ci lumanari parfumate, din ceara vegetala de soia, cu fitile de lemn, in recipiente metalice. Toate aceste caracteristici sunt importante deoarece ele au existat inca de la prima lumanare turnata si fac parte de identitatea brandului Reminiscent of.
Numele brandului vine din fascinatia mea pentru simtul mirosului si capacitatea acestuia de a ne transpune sau a ne aminti aproape instant de anuminte momente, locuri sau persoane din viata noastra. Nici un alt simt nu are un efect asa puternic si rapid. Am ales sa materializez aceasta fascinatie sub forma lumanarilor pentru ca mi-a fost cel mai la indemana si accesibil mediu prin care sa explorez tehnicile parfumeriei, dar si pentru ca lumanarea in sine este un obiect special: o lumanare te invita la pauza, la introspectie, la conectare, la ritual, lucruri de care avem cu totii mare nevoie.
Mi-am dorit sa incapsulez reminiscentele momentelor, locurilor sau persoanelor in cutiile metalice, oferind oamenilor sansa de a le putea retrai oricand prin simpla aprindere a fitilului.
Pentru a putea avea efectul dorit, m-am inspirat mereu din momente si locuri care ne sunt familiare tuturor. Aproape toata lumea a simtit mirosul florilor de tei la inceputul verii sau bariza marii si aroma sarata a acesteia sau caldura unui foc de tabara in mijlocul padurii. Din cand in cand mai fac si calatorii imaginare prin spatiu sau prin lumi fantastice si atunci apar colectiile in editie limitata, in care nu doar parfumul este unul special, ci si vasele, ambalajele sau materialele conexe (stickere, chibrituri, carduri) care au scopul de a completa experienta si de a te transpune in aceste locuri supranaturale.
Uneori simt nevoia sa apelez la astfel de trucuri, deoarece cea mai mare provocare pe care am intampinat-o pana acum este sa vinzi mirosuri online. Daca tineti minte farsa de 1 aprilie a celor de la Google cand au anuntat ca introduc un browser prin care vei putea cauta si simti mirosuri, ei bine eu inca il mai astep :)) Oamenii stiu cum miroase lamaia si cum miroase bradul, dar poate nu au avut ocazia sau nu isi pot imagina cum miros combinate. Cu atat mai putin mirosul altei planete sau a unor flori gigant bioluminescente. De aceea pentru mine si in general pentru tipul acesta de produs, prezenta fizica in magazine este foarte importanta. Mi-ar placea sa am lumanari in fiecare oras din tara, dar din pacate magazine care sa promoveze branduri locale sunt putine si doar in cateva orase.
Un alt challange destul de mare este si concurenta. Pentru ca tehnic vorbind nu este un produs greu de realizat si pentru ca materia prima este accesibila si la noi in tara, au aparut foarte multi producatori de lumanari parfumate care folosesc acelasi tip de ceara, aceleasi fitile si uneori aceleasi parfumuri.
Pentru a ramane relevant, incerc sa tin Reminiscent of intr-o continua dezvoltare, atat ca brand si imagine, cat si in ce priveste calitatea produselor. Adaug mereu arome si colectii noi, folosesc blenduri proprii de parfum, pe care il iau exclusiv din Franta, din capitala parfumului, Grasse.
Am inceput sa extind gama de produse si pe langa lumanari am mai multe tipuri de difuzoare de parfum si spray de camera, ideale pentru anotimpurile mai calde. Si imi doresc mult ca in viitor sa dezvolt si o colectie de produse de corp cu aceleasi mirosuri, inclusiv ape de parfum. Dar acesta e un obiectiv pe care nu il pot atinge singura si pentru care am nevoie e o mica echipa de specialisti.
Sper ca Reminiscent of sa creasca frumos in continuare, sa se raspandeasca peste tot asa cum fac particulele se parfum si sa adune cat mai multe momente, locuri si persoane de care sa se bucure cat mai multa lume.”
Mai multe lucrări realizate de Laura găsiți pe pagina ei de instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reminiscent.of//
pe site-ul:
sau la atelier:
MYAH din Piata Traian, Timisoara: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t3C4zZYh4zxznUX2A