The Tamesis
For nearly three decades, Ulla Johnson’s romantic designs, which blend artisanal craftsmanship with modern, eclectic style, have earned her widespread acclaim. Now, she’s expanding her world into beauty with the launch of her first line of fragrances. The designer teamed up with Violet Gray to mark the occasion with an intimate garden feast behind her West Hollywood boutique on Thursday night.
“Smell feels like a space where we have a really unique perspective,” Brooklyn’s Johnson tells Fashion. “Every effort we make, there has to be a reason that feels very authentic to the brand. As a brand that aims to touch women’s hearts through ready-to-wear, fragrance feels like a very natural next step.”
The travel-loving designer used deep personal scent memories as the starting point for fragrances, candles and incense, which will be available at Violet Gray starting April 28. “It’s a feeling I had as a child, from the many years we spent on the Adriatic – the warmth of the sun, the scent of the pine trees, the sound of the cicadas chirping at the end of the day,” she shares. “That’s really the origin story of our first fragrance.” ULLA was developed by British nose Lyn Harris in collaboration with renowned French perfume house Robertet. As for the three fragrances, they are housed in curved glass inspired by 19th-century Chinese snuff bottles.
Joining forces with Cassandra Grey’s Violet Gray tonight was a no-brainer. “They are incredible authorities on beauty,” Johnson shares. “They always curate things you can’t find anywhere else, and I think that sense of discovery is something I’ve always fostered through what we do and with our partners.”
After cocktails in the Kelly Wearstler-designed store, guests headed to the garden to find a seat. The dinner had a classic “Ula” feel – dozens of flowers cascading over an extra-long table set with a delicate white embroidered tablecloth and matching napkins. Each guest received their own bottle of perfume, something Olivia Wilde coveted. "I hope we can smell them tonight," don’t worry honey The actress and director laughed at the cocktail party.
Ginnifer Goodwin thought the same thing. Eager to spray. this something borrowed Celebrities have been exploring fragrance more intentionally lately. “I’ve been wearing the same fragrances for decades, and in recent years, I like to change them up more frequently,” she says. “I remember Chloë Sevigny once told me that she assigns different scents to all the characters she plays. That’s why I love scents – I feel like you can really put yourself in a different headspace.”
As attendees mingled among the dreamy tablescapes, servers served plates of chicory Caesar salad and yellowfin carpaccio. Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and the 15% Pledge, is busy planning a golfing trip with fashion editor Amanda Alagem because their friend group recently took up the sport. Nearby, styling duo Kara and Brit Elkin caught up on all things Coachella.
Main courses include clams with porcini rice, Corona beans and saffron risotto with mascarpone, all of which are Bruce’s creations. Bruce is a buzzing Los Angeles pop-up restaurant founded by former Horses chefs Brittany Ha, Hannah Grubba and Alex Riley. Each guest was also given a glass of champagne to toast Johnson. “This is an incredibly exciting time for the brand – this fragrance is a true labor of love. I’ve been working on it, I guess, for three years. The stories behind each scent are deeply personal touchstones in my life,” she reflects.
The evening ended on a sweet note – with aromas filling the air – thanks to Eton’s strawberry and citrus desserts.
