Introducing: Lola James Harper

Continually inspired by their ‘little by little’ and ‘always with joy’ taglines, storyteller of scents Lola James Harper celebrate their inaugural arrival here at Always in Colour. Finding themselves located outside of the remits of a contemporary brand, the inventive atelier focuses predominantly on the notions of free spirited influence, ideational encounters and preserved memoirs when it comes to honing in on their seemingly multifaceted, modern day offering.

Now based in the Batignolles neighborhood of Paris, the fragrance label’s story of success is one that narrates itself through a number of differing pathways. Established in 2013 by Beirut-born Rami Mekdachi, a former L’Oreal Paris perfume developer, the brand commenced its candle collection origins debuting at the influential Rue Saint-Honoré Colette concept store in Paris, with their ‘Life Store’ opening in Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche not long after. Having spent the past 20 years or so touring the world with wife Celine, daughter Lili and son Noé, Lola James Harper’s explorative foundation is one that ultimately stems from Rami’s love for the world we call home. A namesake that rings true to the atelier’s family orientated prescience, it stems from daughter Lili’s collection of named Lola dolls, son Noé’s love of LeBron James and from husband and wife duo Rami and Celine’s love of music. An amalgamation of things favoured by the family, Lola James Harper is a label that continues to siphon influence from personal connections, travel excursions and from their own collection of published music alongside the likes of artists such as Ulona Hooman, Karima Adams, Cecile Gohel and Fred Quota. Encapsulating the places and people they love through their own unique lens, Rami and co. welcome an entirely new perspective when it comes to capturing the reminiscence associated with marked memories.

Creatively surmised as a ‘holistic project about art, friendship, family, slow life and sunshine’, Lola James Harper’s collection of vegan-friendly and all-natural candles and home fragrances aim to share in their admiration for our inspiring world. Personal reflections are reproduced through homeware essentials such as the #2 Music Studio Candle and Music Studio Room Spray, with its warming aroma a tribute to the time spent recording in the Trufo Street studio. The scent of archived old records is recreated through the #4 Vinyl Store candle and home spray, whilst references to their Colette store origins are retained through their #213 Rue Saint-Honore Air candle and spray. Odes to good friends such as surfer and designer Stephane and acquaintance Teta also evoke the lifestyle brand’s passion for shared memories and intimate interplays, with founder Mekdachi’s passion for traditional parfumerie remaining a key influence across the collection’s varied fragrance families. All manufactured, bottled and poured in France, with the candles styled with classic cotton wicks and with wax crafted from both mineral and vegetal elements, Mekdachi’s wanderlust is exemplified through the choice use of natural ingredients such as Texas cedar, Guatemalan cardamom, Egyptian geranium and Indonesian patchouli.

Awarded ‘Best Documentary’ at the Open World Toronto Film Festival and ‘Best Cinematography’ at the London International Filmmaker Festival, amongst a number of other merits, founder Rami’s latest film ‘WITH’ is a creative embodiment of the lifestyle brand’s ode to the simpler life, their enjoyment of company and their search for ‘peace, togetherness, simple joy and present’. Documenting the influence that guides their parfumerie process and their general approach to modern day living, ‘WITH’ reflects the label’s easy going nature down to a tee.

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