LINDA PILKINGTON

Linda Pilkington is a British entrepreneur, founder and creative director of the perfume and homeware brand Ormonde Jayne. Born and raised in Cheshire in the northwest of England, she and her sister were passionate about making scented candles at home since childhood. She spent some time in commercial business and lived in Brazil and Argentina. The turning point was an offer to take part in the opening of a Chanel boutique by creating scented candles for the event. Realizing that a one-off order had potential, Pilkington went to France to undergo training in candle making. In 2001, she quit her day job and opened a small shop in London selling Ormonde Jayne home fragrances. Soon she began taking online orders, which marked the beginning of international development. In 2002, the brand's first personal fragrances were released, for which Pilkington invited Geza Schön to work: the green chypre Ormonde Woman, the oriental Tolu and the floral Champaca. Today, the brand's perfume line includes more than six dozen compositions, among the most popular are Montabaco, Osmanthus, Ambre Royal and Frangipani. In addition to developing a permanent collection, the brand accepts individual orders for the creation of fragrances. Pilkington and her husband continue to be at the head of the international business.