Chipmunk - An Interview with Pia Long

How might the perfumers of the scents I like to use react to the corresponding review of the scent? This question was the starting point for my approach to this blog series, which I would like to present to you. My admiration for the Zoologist concept remains strong and I found it all the more fitting that the interviews could take place with the perfumers of my favorite fragrances from the brand. It's all the nicer that the relevant perfumers took the time to answer me and get involved with the concept.

The first part is about Chipmunk, which was created by Pia Long.

How did you initially take notice of Zoologist and what made you ultimately decide you would like to create a fragrance for the brand?

I was a fan of his storytelling and brand concept from the start, it was a real honour to be added to the cast.

Did Victor already have an animal in mind for you or a selection of briefs to choose from or was it more of a collaborative effort that resulted in the final animal after brainstorming ideas?

Victor immediately wanted me to create Chipmunk, and it was a moment of serendipity because I had been working on a hazelnut accord for my own study and amusement exactly at that time.

What I found interesting to read in the interview you previously did with him is that you describe your style as „magic realism“. I like that description and approach. The way I understand it, it allows you to shape a scent, the images it transports and its story with the option of also using fantastical elements all the while staying true to the origin rooted in reality. I believe that it works very well in line with Zoologist’s overall concept and the fun element of humanizing the animals through the design.

Is there any in-joke or easter egg in Chipmunk that you might be willing to reveal by now (unless you think the revelation would take away some of the magic)?

Ooooh, this is a TOUGH one. Because there IS an “Easter Egg” in there, but nobody (to my knowledge) has found it yet, although a few people have gravitated towards it unknowingly. It's a nod to the Canadian forests. I don't want to reveal it exactly because it might lead people into thinking the fragrance is one way when it's really another. Victor and I both wanted a sense of realistic woods and hazelnuts (not Nutella), and the aim was to create something cute and fuzzy, yet with a hint of the earthy burrow and fallen leaves.

I love the artwork of Zoologist in general as it always presents and represents the animals so well.

Was the one for Chipmunk already pre-set and influenced your creation process a bit or did you in turn influence the design through your scent creation instead as the scout badges reference some of the notes and imagery of the chipmunk’s environment?

I didn't see the artwork until the end, and it was an absolute delight to realise the main notes were also her scout badges. The artwork for all Zoologist fragrances has beauty, skill, and humour - what a great combination

What are your thoughts about my perception of Chipmunk? (translated review at the end of the article)*

You've got so close to how the actual brief was it's almost uncanny. Right down to the industrious activities, the burrow, and the fuzzy fur. Notes lists can be a bit deceptive in our trade in general, and I like that you've puzzled out the effects from them rather than necessarily expected them to represent themselves.

Have you tried any other Zoologist perfumes yourself, whether it be out of interest for the brand, study purposes or just to see which peers your Chipmunk scout will be living with?

I've really enjoyed the "cute animals" collection that has emerged since Chipmunk! My personal favourite from the whole range so far is Camel.

If you could possibly design another animal in the future what would be your choice?

I'd love to create a reindeer, not some Christmas pastiche but the real thing, living in Lapland, grazing on Nordic berries and lichen. I have a reindeer herding dog, so it would be thematically satisfying for that reason, too.

Thank you Pia for taking the time to explain this fragrance, which truly became a loyal companion for me, as I described it back then.

Glad to have participated and your questions were fun to answer.
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*Review:
Stockpiling in the fall

Do you hear that rustling over there in the pile of leaves? A cheerful whistle sounds from a mountain of freshly fallen leaves. A chipmunk is hiding underneath looking for food. It is happy about the variety of seeds and nuts it has already found and is eager to bring them to its food chamber in good time. With nimble paws it stuffs as many found objects as possible into its cheek pockets and scurries away. In no time at all it swirls up the leaves lying around and disappears into a well-hidden hole in the ground. With such a high success rate, it will be very easy for Charlene Chipmunk to receive her badge in collecting.

Chipmunk appears as calm and comfortable. Cardamom and nutmeg combine to create warm, spicy nut aromas, which form the main impression for this autumnal, woody scent. With the tart nutshells, the ground squirrel lures us from the branches of the forest into its tunnel system and prepares itself for hibernation with us. We are happily offered a place to rest in the sleeping chamber, which we gratefully accept. The room was carefully lined with aromatic bark by the agile rodent. Equipped this way, the scent fulfills its purpose and offers us an autumnal forest with a rich selection of nuts to nibble on. Much like the animal itself, Chipmunk comes across as cute and easy to like. Its scent ultimately becomes a trusting companion for the most colorful season.

These fragrances were created by Pia Long.