There are milestones that feel less like triumph and more like quiet affirmation. As if the work itself, whispered into the world with devotion and doubt, has been gently acknowledged. To be shortlisted for The Art and Olfaction Awards—one of the most respected honours in independent perfumery—is one such moment.

We did not set out seeking recognition. Papillon was born from instinct, from a reverence for materials and a compulsion to create. Each perfume has emerged from solitude, from curiosity, from countless silent hours spent listening to what the scent wished to become.

To stand among the finalists of The Art and Olfaction Awards is to be reminded that art—true art—still has a place in perfumery. That amidst trends and commerce, there are those who continue to seek the soul within the bottle.

“It’s not about winning,” Liz reflected. “It’s about being seen by those who understand. Who know how much of ourselves we pour into this work.”

The awards honour the unseen: the hand blending in the late hours, the hundreds of versions discarded before the one that finally breathes, the scent that tells a story without ever needing to explain. To be included in this circle of kindred spirits is a gift in itself.

There was no glitter, no gown—just a stillness. A moment to exhale. To honour the journey. And to remember that recognition is never the goal, but it is a deeply meaningful signpost along the way.

“I make perfume because I love it. Because I need to. But to know that it has moved others—that it has spoken—is more than I could ever ask.”

Whether Papillon brings home the award or simply stands alongside fellow creators, this experience is a celebration of craft. Of risk. Of the quiet, defiant beauty that emerges when perfume is made with soul.

To The Art and Olfaction Institute—thank you for carving out a space for independent voices. And to everyone who wears Papillon, who has followed us from our garden studio to this moment—you are part of every note, every accolade, every breath.

We carry this honour with grace, and with a heart full of gratitude.

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