Perfumes are invisible bonds between the mind and the soul. What the mind thinks, the soul feels and transforms into art and memory. This is exactly what the universe of Ora e Labora is about - a niche fragrance house born under the beautiful sky of Provence.
The brand is inspired by history, slow living, and true craftsmanship. For its creator, ORA E LABORA represents inner inspiration and the patient work of bringing it into form.
Today, we have the great pleasure to discover this mystical world through a conversation with the founder, Henri R. Steinbacher. Together, we talk about memories, the connection between scent and music, and the beautiful contrasts in his perfumes.
1|POS: Henri, the name of your brand, Ora e Labora, comes from an ancient philosophy about reflection and authentic work. Where did your journey with perfumes begin, and when did this passion become a way of life?
Henri: Before founding ORA E LABORA, I spent many years working alongside independent perfume houses, contributing to the development of fragrances and brands.
What has always fascinated me is the extraordinary power of scent. It is one of the most profound forms of expression we have. Through fragrance, we can awaken memories, evoke emotions and create invisible connections between people.
Over time, I felt the need to return to something more essential. I founded ORA E LABORA to rediscover the freedom of independent creation and the beauty of true craftsmanship.
The name reflects that philosophy: *ORA* is the inner inspiration, *LABORA* is the patient work that gives it form.
2|POS: Your fragrance house was born in the South of France. How do you capture the true “soul of Provence” - where life moves slower and the light is so beautiful - and put it inside a bottle?
Henri: I like that you speak about the soul of Provence, because that is exactly how I experience it.
For me, Provence is much more than a landscape, it is a way of feeling.
Capturing its soul means translating those emotions into fragrance. Every material, every accord and every detail is chosen to evoke that atmosphere and invite each person on their own olfactory journey.
3|POS: Your first three perfumes - Solea, Terra Mea, and Alba Marina - show a complete landscape: the sun, the earth, and the sea. If this trilogy were a painting or a piece of music, how do these three elements work together in your vision?
Henri: I love this question because it speaks about art. Like a painting or a piece of music, a fragrance comes to life through the imagination and sensitivity of the person experiencing it.
Solea, Terra Mea and Alba Marina each have their own identity, yet together they create a harmonious whole. I like to think of them as three movements of the same composition—distinct, yet inseparable.
My hope is that, together, they create something that makes you feel deeply alive and gently reminds you of what truly matters.
4|POS: Solea is a truly amazing gourmand fragrance, where sweet vanilla meets unexpected notes like olive wood and juicy peach. What was your inspiration for this perfume, and what story did you want it to tell on the skin?
Henri: First of all, thank you. It truly means a lot to hear you describe Solea as a truly amazing fragrance.
It was the first of the trilogy to appear in my mind, and it came with a sense of absolute certainty. Creating Solea felt like one of those rare moments of grace, because I was finally giving life to a fragrance that embodied an emotion which had lived within me for a very long time: the beauty of being fully present in the moment, something we too often forget in the pace of everyday life.
More than telling a story, Solea expresses a quiet sense of serenity. It is an invitation to slow down and embrace the rhythm of life.
5|POS: The mix of warm vanilla and grounding olive wood feels both sacred and comforting. How difficult was it to find the perfect balance and make Solea such a light, elegant gourmand?
Henri: Creating a fragrance requires precision, discipline and technical knowledge. Every material has to find its rightful place.
Balance emerges where craftsmanship and instinct meet. The formula is built with rigor, while intuition gives it life until every element feels naturally in harmony.
With Solea, I searched for a balance between light, warmth and serenity. Vanilla, olive wood and peach each play their own role, but together they express a single emotion.
6|POS: For many of us, perfumes are like bridges between the mind and the spirit, just like music. When you create a fragrance, do you think of the notes like a musical composition, looking for perfect harmony?
Henri: Like an orchestra, a fragrance is composed with precision. Every note has its own voice, its own personality and its own place within the composition.
Harmony is born when each individual element contributes to something greater than itself. That collective soul is what I seek in perfumery as well.
7|POS: If the universe of Ora e Labora were a piece of classical music, what sounds would match your scents best?
Henri: It would be difficult to choose a single piece of classical music, because ORA E LABORA has not yet revealed all of its facets.
New creations will gradually expand the universe of the House, adding new emotional dimensions while preserving its essence.
Perhaps the closest comparison would be a richly layered classical composition, where different influences and movements come together in harmony. That feels very close to how I imagine the future of ORA E LABORA.
Henri Steinbacher, the founder and perfumer of Ora e Labora
*
8|POS: If Solea - which is my absolute favorite from your collection - were a symphony or a musical instrument, what kind of music would it play on the skin?
Henri: First of all, thank you. Knowing that Solea is your favorite truly means a lot to me.
Rather than a musical instrument, I imagine it as the sound of nature itself: the song of cicadas on a warm summer day, in the shade of olive trees, with that quiet atmosphere where time seems to slow down.
If Solea had a melody, I think it would be one that invites us to pause, to breathe, and simply embrace the beauty of the present moment.
9|POS: You once said that your craft offers a different definition of luxury. Do you believe that a perfume can take us away from our daily thoughts and instantly transport us to a deeper, more spiritual state?
Henri: I believe that today's definition of luxury is changing.
We live in a world of immediacy, appearances and constant movement. In that context, true luxury is no longer about owning more—it is about having the time and the peace of mind to truly experience a moment.
Fragrance has a unique power to interrupt that rhythm. In a single breath, it can shift our attention, awaken an emotion and reconnect us with ourselves.
If my creations can offer that journey, even for a few moments, and simply allow someone to feel good, then I will have achieved what I set out to do.
10|POS: In a fast world, your brand chooses a slower rhythm. How does this philosophy change your creative process and the way you choose your raw ingredients?
Henri: Choosing a slower rhythm gives me something precious: independence of thought.
As I often say, *independence fuels creativity*. It allows every decision to be guided by conviction rather than compromise.
That same philosophy shapes every aspect of the House. We carefully select responsibly sourced raw materials and apply the same mindset to the packaging, always seeking the most responsible solutions that remain consistent with the quality and longevity of our creations.
When you have the time to create with intention, every choice becomes part of the story.
11|POS: I noticed that olive notes appear as a warm, earthy signature in your creations. What special or personal meaning does this ingredient have for you?
Henri: The olive tree has always represented something deeply meaningful to me.
It is rooted in Provence, but it also carries universal values: peace, resilience, longevity and transmission. It is a tree that seems to exist beyond time, growing slowly and remaining faithful to its nature.
That is why olive wood became the common thread running through the trilogy. It is present in each fragrance, expressed in a different way, quietly connecting them while allowing each creation to keep its own identity.
In many ways, it has become the silent signature of ORA E LABORA.
12|POS: Your brand’s name feels sacred, but the fragrances also have an earthy, sensual, and magical side. Where do these two worlds meet in your collection?
Henri: I believe they meet in authenticity.
For me, there is nothing contradictory about creating something that is both deeply grounded and emotionally elevating. The beauty of fragrance lies precisely in that balance.
The name ORA E LABORA is not about religion. It is about a philosophy: inspiration finding its expression through patience, craftsmanship and intention.
If there is something magical in my fragrances, I hope it comes from that meeting point—where honest work becomes emotion, and where the tangible gives life to something invisible.
13|POS: You recently launched a rare treasure - and I am very curious about it: Oud Marselha, a limited edition. Oud is a deeply mystical and intense ingredient. How does this new creation fit into the luminous story of Ora e Labora? What secrets does it hold?
Henri: Oud Marselha is the discovery of another facet of the House.
The same light remains, but it now meets distant horizons. That was the true challenge of this creation: preserving the soul of ORA E LABORA while opening it to a new olfactory landscape.
Marseille—*Marselha* in Provençal—has always been a gateway between Provence and the world, welcoming precious materials, cultures and influences from far beyond its shores.
That is the story I wanted to tell: a city shaped by encounters, enriched by its openness to the world, while remaining deeply rooted in its own identity.
As for its secrets... I believe every fragrance deserves to keep a few. The most beautiful part of perfume is still the moment when it finally meets the skin.
14|POS: Where can our readers discover and buy your wonderful perfumes?
Henri: Our fragrances are available through the official ORA E LABORA website, and we ship worldwide.
We also work with a carefully selected network of boutiques. More than a point of sale, we look for places with a true soul—where people share our values and enjoy telling the story behind each creation with genuine passion.
The House is gradually extending its presence, and today ORA E LABORA can already be discovered in Italy and the United States, with new destinations to come.
15|POS: Looking ahead, do you have plans for a new launch or a different creative project that expands the universe of Ora e Labora?
Henri: Yes, there are several projects taking shape.
One of them is especially close to my heart. It is inspired by a cherished memory that has stayed with me since childhood—one that, years later, I had the joy of sharing with my own children.
That emotion is what I want to capture. As always, the goal is not simply to create a new fragrance, but to open another chapter in the universe of ORA E LABORA—one that remains faithful to its essence while revealing a new facet of the House.
16|POS: What do you hope people truly feel when they wear your perfumes? What is the memory or emotion that you want to leave to the world through Ora e Labora?
Henri: I love the idea that everyone experiences a fragrance differently. Each person brings their own memories, their own sensitivity and their own imagination. That freedom of interpretation is part of the beauty of perfume.
For me, a fragrance is never truly complete until it meets the person who wears it.
*
As our conversation comes to an end, we are reminded that a fragrance is never just a scent - it is a poem written in olfactory ink, a contrast of lights and shadows captured in a single molecule.
I thank Henri Steinbacher for taking me by the hand through the picturesque landscapes of Provence and the deep alleys of the soul. For those who wish to contemplate this artistic inspiration for themselves, the symphonies of Ora e Labora await.
