lv1 studio

I'm James Nguyen, and some know me as Miju. The journey that led me to create perfumes daily is quite surprising considering in my past I once had a deep fear of fragrances and all things scented.

My career began in a completely different world – I spent over 15 years working with hair color and the chemicals I encountered in that industry triggered allergies, and fragrances became my enemy. They would give me intense headaches and even make my throat swell. So, I steered clear of any scents in my skincare and hair products, convinced it was the 'synthetic' fragrances that were the culprits. I eventually found solace in natural brands that didn't seem to affect me.

I love creating and learning so eventually it got me to studying cosmetic chemistry as a hobby. My journey to perfumery all started when I encountered raw materials used in cosmetics that didn't have the most pleasant scents. In response, I began experimenting with natural ingredients to mask these less appealing aromas which is where my passion for natural materials took root.

Life has a way of taking unexpected turns, and for me, it happened one night in the form of a vivid dream about someone deeply important to me and a unique fragrance. Though this person had passed away, in my dream, they reappeared and described a scent to me.

It was a life-changing experience, as I could vividly smell and experience it within the dream - it was unlike anything I had ever encountered in stores; it was not merely a fragrance, but a complete story with clear, vivid pictures.

Upon waking, I hastily documented every detail I could recall about that special perfume. Though uncertain if it was possible to create a perfume with such intricate complexity, I made it my mission to delve into the world of perfumery and bring that extraordinary scent to life. I love learning about scents and along the way, I explored isolated aroma molecules, which surprisingly did not trigger my allergies. I later realized that my reactions resulted from the composition and balance of scents as a whole, rather than any particular material. Now I am open and unrestricted in how I can create olfactive stories.

My quest remains to learn and recreate that unforgettable perfume from that fateful night. During my journey I will create art that can add value to the world. I hope you enjoy these creations I make along the way!