Céline Roux is the Vice President of Global Fragrance Development at Jo Malone London and a veritable doyenne in the world of scent, having led hugely successful campaigns for some of the brand's most popular fragrances, including English Pear and Peony and Blush Suede. Hailing from France and now living in London, Céline is also a globally recognised voice on the philosophy of fragrance, which goes far beyond creating the best candles, and fragrances for Jo Malone London, but also encapsulates cultural moments and the exploration of all the senses to enhance wellbeing and peace of mind. I caught up with Céline ahead of the busy run-up to the festive period to find out what brings her joy and calm at this often chaotic time of year.
Céline Roux Shares Her Favorite Things
1. Christmas in New York
I lived in New York for eight years, when I was in my twenties, so it's a second home for me, and whenever I go back, it feels very familiar. I especially love it just before Christmas, and I'm quite traditional, so I love seeing the tree at the Rockefeller Center, and seeing Fifth Avenue all lit up. Whenever I hear Christmas songs playing in stores, it takes me right back to doing Christmas shopping in New York. Now, every year, wherever I am, I have to go to a Christmas carol concert – whether it's in a church, at school, or in the street – as that's always a reminder of New York for me.
2. Scents of the Season
Jo Malone's Orange Bitters Cologne was the first personal fragrance we did for Christmas. When I thought about what could be nice in a scent that makes me think of Christmas, it was a cocktail – something a little bit warm, a little bit citrussy, and a little bit bitter. It's both woodsy and warm but has the zestiness of the orange. It's very unisex, and it became a classic, which comes back every year, so I totally associate this scent with Christmas. We also have a Golden Barley Candle, which smells of baking biscuits without even turning the oven on – it's comforting, homey, and it takes me back to baking cookies with my mom when I was young.
3. Hugo Guinness' Dog Print
I love Hugo Guinness' work and he has a very famous outline drawing of a bull terrier dog, and it really looks like my old rescue dog that I brought back with me from America, Marty. He's not with us anymore, but old friends who see it and don't know the artist think it's actually a picture of my dog that I've had done. I just love it.
4. Advent Traditions
One year I was gifted an Advent candle, and since then I've burnt one every year with my children – I have two boys aged 10 and 14. It's a lovely daily ritual that we always do together. I love decorating the Christmas tree with the children, too. We have a very eclectic mix of ornaments, from ceramic to paper, and handmade ones, to things I've collected from my travels. There's even a glittery sushi and a Santa in a swimsuit! It looks different every year. I also do a customized Advent calendar for the boys, using the box from the Jo Malone Advent calendar. I do it a bit like a treasure hunt so there's a clue on a sticky note, and they have to find something in the apartment, or it might say: 'at 5pm be ready for a surprise with your boots and coat', or it could be just some chocolate or Legos. It's a lot of work to plan, but great fun.
5. Making Christmas Cards
I like to make my own Christmas cards. I do it at night when I should be asleep, but I actually find it quite therapeutic. I used to do collage, but that takes too long, so now I've switched to watercolors or drawings. I always draw something related to the recipient, so if it's a friend who lives in a hot country I'll add a palm tree ornament, for example.
6. My Grandmother's Angel
I have a ceramic angel from my Grandmother that I've always kept and makes me feel like she's always looking after me. It's a Christmas piece, but I keep it up all the time, so I have a bit of Christmas all year round. I don't mind that though, as I love Christmas.
7. Vintage and Global Finds
I collect a lot of random pieces from travelling and vintage markets. I like Broadway Market and Columbia Road Flower Market in London as they're my closest, as well as Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Racecourse, but whenever I travel I look for flea markets – you never know what you're going to find there. When I was in New York I went to Chelsea Flea Market every weekend. I like the idea of picking up pieces with history, as it brings a bit of character. I moved to my apartment in The Barbican almost ten years ago, and it's quite mid-century, so the style is a blend of mid-century furniture and items from my travels. I have vintage Persian rugs and Mexican dishes – it's quite eclectic.
8. Collecting Exhibition Posters
I started a few years ago to fill a wall just with exhibition posters to as a memory. Now I'm on the hunt for posters from exhibitions I've been to in the past. It's quite a nice project to remind me of the ones that were dear to my heart. There was a Basquiat exhibition in The Barbican years ago that I really liked, and I was able to find the print of the poster (Basquiat: Boom for Real, Barbican 2018 at King & McGaw), but there are a few more I'm still searching for in the museum archives.
9. Museum Trips
In London, I love the Tate Modern, and try to see all the exhibitions there. I went to The Young V&A in Bethnal Green recently and think it's quite a nice one to go to with older children. And we have great exhibitions here in The Barbican. In New York I love The Met – I used to go there all the time when I lived there, but I would say my favorite is The Neue Galerie on the Upper East Side, which has works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka – German and Austrian expressionists. I love this place, and it has an amazing coffee shop called Café Sabarsky, where you can get Austrian cakes. It's a wonderful haven.
10. The Great Outdoors
I grew up in Marseille near the sea, but I really took it for granted. So whenever I'm near the sea now I really enjoy it. Even if it's a walk by the estuary, or a day trip to the English coast, I find it quite comforting. I also love skiing and think it's great after Christmas. I was lucky to grow up in the South of France where ski resorts were not that far away. But having lived in the city for years now, it's easy to forget the feeling of the crisp air, and the purity of the mountains until you arrive. It's an amazing break, and the children enjoy the freedom and space. My parents have a flat in a small ski resort called Les Orres, and the boys learned to ski on the same slopes that I did when I was young, which is lovely.
Shop Céline's Essentials for a Joyful Christmas
This Advent calendar is such a grown-up treat, but keep it afterwards and re-create Céline's DIY tradition of filling each compartment with something for the kids.
This linocut print is hand-printed in India ink in Hugo's Brooklyn studio, and the iconic bulldog design is a nostalgic reminder to Céline of her beloved dog.
Céline loves to craft her own Christmas cards and a mini watercolor kit like this is just the thing to get out of your purse or drawer when creativity strikes.
Lighting an Advent candle and letting it burn down to the next mark at the end of every day is a lovely way to herald in the arrival of Christmas and family tradition of Céline's.
Inspired by seasonal cocktails with notes of citrus, sandalwood and amber, Bitter Orange was the first personal Christmas fragrance created for Jo Malone.
Céline is a big fan of eclectic Christmas ornaments and this NYC-themed piece would be the perfect reminder of her beloved New York.
My Life in 10 is a series of interviews with tastemakers in the world of design and hosting that reveal their essential rules, rituals, and objects for beautiful living – from entertaining essentials they can't host without, to inspirational travel destinations and treasured pieces from their homes – to help you to live beautifully, too.
