Hastings Old Town

The sea came to the city,

Look out!

The waves crush pavements like shores,

They knocked me off me feet onto the muddy gravel floor.

Knocked me down with such violence,

I lay here waiting for mudlarks to find my teeth in two centuries’ time,

Wanting to speak but I’m silenced under the roaring waves.

She cares little…

She billows

And swells.

LÉTO has moved to Hastings and will continue to grow in this historic coastal town. I felt that I needed space to create in a more focused, organic way, and South London hasn’t been giving me that freedom, so the natural decision was taken to move down to the coast. I’ve set up a temporary studio in Hastings Old Town with a view over the East Hill and ideas started pouring out of me - much needed sea-change.

Welcome to Atelier LÉTO

I’d like to welcome all readers to this blog which will function as a notice board for news and events, but also will take you to the backstage of perfume making. Hopefully you find it enjoyable and inspirational, regardless whether you are a novice niche fragrance enthusiast or a perfumer with many years of experience..

The reason for creating a perfume blog is very simple - I want to speak to my audience about subjects which fascinate, motivate, concern and perplex me without the filter of algorithm that controls the visibility of certain subjects on social media. Recently my Instagram account has been blocked without proper warning or comprehensive explanation on behalf of the Meta group. I suspect it has something to do with addressing a subject of ingredient secrecy in cosmetics and perfumery and campaigning for full ingredient disclosure in niche and designer fragrances. Who am I, a mere mortal, to tell Dior, Chanel or YSL to stop poisoning their customers with the undisclosed phtalates and alkyls - endocrine disrupters and carcinogens?

Despite the absence of social media, I am determined to speak freely, with open mind and open heart. And I hope you will enjoy this olfactive journey.

Léna