“A great scent is a world you can return to over and over – a keyhole into another realm.” – David Seth Moltz. 

 

Hez Binkowitz' Story of Loss, Hope, and Rebirth Through Perfumery

  

My journey into perfumery began during a time of tragedy, after the devastating loss of my beloved two-year-old daughter Henya. In my overwhelming grief, I found myself longing to return to happier times our family shared before her tragic loss. I dreamed of bottling up memories from the happiest times in my life and using them as reminders of how beautiful life can be.

 

Driven by this longing, I dove into the world of perfumery. What started out as a hobby intended to help me cope with the grief I was experiencing, soon became an intense passion for the art. I found it to be therapeutic and transformative, and it allowed me to express myself in a way I never imagined would be possible. It became a lifeline, allowing me to process my grief through fragrance in a way words never could.

 

I named my perfume house "Hez Parfums", as it truly represents my story. Every scent I create pays tribute to my daughter and the life our family had before her passing. They represent the love and resilience my family share, transported through the magical power of perfumery. When you open a bottle of Hez Parfums, you open a portal to my most tender memories and intimate emotions, conveyed through scent. Each perfume bottle contains a story I cannot bring myself to finish telling, but that you can fully experience through fragrance.

 

Early Life - A Nomad Finding Home in New Orleans 

 

Baby Hezkiel "Hez" Binkowitz

 

As much as I consider New Orleans my home, I am not a true native. My family actually originates from Brooklyn NY. I spent most of my childhood moving around to different cities, such as Memphis TN, Sacramento CA and eventually New Orleans. Though I made many great memories in these diverse cities, New Orleans was the city that influenced me the most. To me, the city of New Orleans is not just a nice place to live, but also the place where my roots were planted, where my family was started, and an overwhelming warmth that continues to embrace me even when I’m not there. It's not just another city. It's my city! 

 

Tragedy Changes Everything 

 

 

 Henya Binkowitz at 6 months old (first time leaving the hospital)

 

In 2020, life took an unexpected turn for our family. Faced with the severity of our daughter's worsening medical condition, we had to leave behind the familiar sights and sounds of New Orleans and relocate to Houston Texas to be closer to the medical center. It was a difficult transition for our family, and every moment away from New Orleans made me ache with homesickness. I longed for a way to bridge the gap between the place I loved and the difficult reality I found myself in. 

 

Finding Solace in the Art of Perfumery

 

How it all began

 

During this challenging time, I discovered the therapeutic art of perfuming. Creating fragrances soon became more than a creative outlet, but also a lifeline that brought me back to the present moment. It provided relief during that stressful point in my life. As I collected enough fragrances and became a part of the fragrance community, my fascination with the art of perfuming grew. I wanted to be a part of the community that created it. That’s when it became a true passion. More than just learning about how fragrances are made, I also wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make a fragrance that truly stands out. I wanted to create a fragrance that would evoke the same kind of emotion in others that a good fragrance does to me.

 

An Amateur's Journey Towards Mastery

 

Learning the basics

When I started perfuming, I was just an entry-level hobbyist. I had no background in perfuming at the time. After immersing myself in learning about raw materials and the intricate art of blending, I was driven to become a serious perfumer.

 

I started meticulously recording my formulas and rigorously testing various scent combinations. I honed my understanding of perfuming safety protocols and aimed to gain the technical knowledge necessary to make a safe fragrance. Despite my growing knowledge and many experiments, it took a while before I felt truly comfortable sharing my creations with others. It was far too personal at the time. However, my connections and interactions with the supportive people in the fragrance community helped to change that. I started opening up about my passion and goals for perfuming, and with the support of the community my confidence continued to grow. I decided I wanted to take a chance with creating a real fragrance, so I focused my attention on one idea. A fragrance that could really capture my love for New Orleans, and something that other people could easily relate to. 

 

Capturing the Spirit of Bourbon Street

 

Original Bourbon Street Bottle

 

I wanted to create my first fragrance to truly represent a part of New Orleans that most people recognize. One of the most iconic and recognizable experiences in New Orleans, is visiting the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. I wanted the fragrance to be fun and inviting, just like the environment and culture that can be found there. 

 

 

Original Bourbon Street Bottle

 

Bourbon Street eau de parfum is a sweet semi gourmand fragrance, with an alluring edge. It includes the notes of apple, cinnamon, booze, tobacco, vanilla, and sandalwood. It represents the environment, culture and history of the famous French Quarter. 

 

Perfumery Brings Healing and Purpose

 

Hez in the lab

 

Looking back on these past few years, I recognize that my progression from a fragrance enthusiast to a dedicated perfumer came with many challenges and rewards. It allowed me the opportunity to explore the intricate world of fragrances and meet some of the most amazing people along the way.

 

 

 Hez presenting at Sniffapalooza Spring Fling 2024

 

My journey emphasizes the importance of finding a therapeutic route to handling grief. It also demonstrates how important a community is in a time of need. People that genuinely care about you and the story that you have to share. It truly helped me reduce the anxiety and depression that comes with experiencing such a difficult loss. It provided me with a way to share my story that is too difficult to put into words. I now have the amazing opportunity to share my fragrances with others, and I am so blessed and grateful to have the support from the fragrance community every step of the way.

 

Inspiration from Fellow Perfumers

 

Being a perfumer isn’t (or shouldn't be) just about making money, or building an image, or anything like that. It's about the art and emotions it evokes along the way. It's about connecting with a vibrant community that share the same passion for perfuming and aim to support it in any way they can. While some may see it as an industry, most perfumers see it as a unique form of storytelling and they enjoy sharing with each other. 

 

The fragrance community welcomed me with open arms, allowing an open exchange of ideas from diverse perspectives that truly elevated my craft. I found most perfumers I met to be incredibly helpful and supportive, which is probably not what most people would expect. We learn from each other’s creativity and innovation, and we celebrate each other's success. The sense of belonging with my fellow perfumers has inspired me to push past any insecurities, and to just focus on creating fragrances that I am passionate about.

 

Giving Back to the Community

 

My deep passion for perfuming has continued to flourish thanks to the overwhelming love and support I receive from the fragrance community. It is my goal now to give back to the community in any way I can. Perfuming has brought so much happiness and joy back to my life, and in turn I put that energy into my fragrance creations. As a person who lost so much, I am beyond grateful for the opportunities, experiences and friendships that perfuming has given me. It's my goal to continue working on mastering the craft, and to make myself available to people who need support as I have. While the future of any business can be uncertain, the connections and experiences I have will certainly endure a lifetime. 

 

My Hope 

 

My hope for everyone reading this is that you will be open with the people who care about you as well, and to never be afraid to ask for help in a time of need. There are moments in life when we all need support, and it is okay to ask for it when that time comes.

 

If there's anything I can share from my difficult experience, it's how important it is to have a community that supports you. If you are doing well, be supportive of someone who isn't doing as well. If you need support, be open with the people who care about you and can help lift you up. Whether it be learning a new craft or coping with a tragic loss, a supportive community can make a significant difference in your life.

 

In Memory of Henya Binkowitz 

 

Henya's Beautiful Smile

 

I dedicate this article to my daughter of blessed memory, Henya Binkowitz. She was a bright light in a dark world!