Crafting Essence with Odila

MAY 2024

Odila Zocca is the Vice President of Technical/Perfumery at OnScent, a position she has held since April 2022. Prior to this, she spent nearly 24 years as the Technical VP-Perfumer at Premier Specialties Inc. (now known as Premier Naturals by OnScent). With over three decades of experience in perfumery and technical roles, Odila brings a wealth of expertise to her leadership role at OnScent. Learn more about her career below!

What initially drew you to a career in perfumery?

What initially drew me to this career is my background in Brazil. I was born in Brazil, and my first job was at Unilever, working in quality control for cosmetics. Fragrance was a big part of that, and it sparked my interest in the world of scents.

When I moved to the United States, I started as an analytical perfumer at Premier Specialties 25 years ago (now known as Premier Naturals by OnScent). That was my opportunity to become a perfumer and start creating fragrances.

The process of creating fragrances begins with understanding the brief: what’s the application, and who is the customer?

Can you walk us through your typical creative process when developing a new fragrance?

Creating a fragrance is a journey. You have to know your palette—the essential oils and the bases you’ll work with. But it’s not just about sitting behind four walls smelling blotters; it’s about using your knowledge of everything around you—music, food, other cultures, and everyday life. You need to engage both your heart and your mind.

What role does chemistry play in perfumery, and how do you utilize it in your work?

Being a chemist gives me an edge. I have an advantage over those who aren’t chemists because I understand how each raw material performs. I can predict how long they’ll last, their chemical properties, and how they interact with other ingredients.

How do you stay updated on emerging trends in the industry?

Fragrance trends tend to evolve in cycles. In the winter, there’s a lot of amber-heavy scents, and as the seasons change, those shift into fresher fragrances. The best way to keep up is simple: smell, smell, smell! Be curious. If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.

Can you describe a particularly rewarding moment in your career as a perfumer?

One of the most rewarding experiences has been mentoring others who are now developing their own careers. Watching them grow and being able to pass on what I’ve learned has been incredibly fulfilling. You can’t take your knowledge with you, so you have to share it. I’ve been fortunate to have that opportunity in my career.

Thank You For Watching!

If you’d like to discuss your custom fragrance and scent needs, reach out to our team of fragrance and marketing experts at info@onscent.com, or fill out the form below to schedule an informative one-on-one call with us today.