Breathe In, Breathe Abbott with Jose Alvarez
Abbott challenges us to move beyond limiting fragrance to our sense of smell, when it is really so much more a mindset.
Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and visualize a place of serenity and joy. Maybe you’re on a secluded beach with powdery sands and quiet winds. Maybe you’re surrounded by lush greenery and trees that reach the sky. Maybe you’re bathing in a golden lilac sunset in a desert oasis. You can travel almost anywhere you’d like through an olfactory vehicle – Abbott’s personal fragrances and candles.
Founded by Michael Pass and Jose Alvarez, Abbott is more than a spritz here and there to make you smell good. With scents like “Telluride,” “Mojave,” and “The Cape,” each fragrance embodies a spirit of wanderlust. Abbott has challenged us to move beyond limiting fragrance to our sense of smell, when it is really so much more a mindset.
Abbott’s connection with nature and commitment to the environment are applied in every step of the manufacturing process, so that the products are clean, safe and high-quality. A mix of both natural and synthetic materials creates beautiful fragrances that are long-lasting, environmentally sustainable, and most importantly – safe. Parabens, phthalates, dyes, aluminum and animal testing are all out of the question! Your well-being is the brand’s top priority.
BWB spoke with co-founder Jose for a quick peak into how his charming Williamsburg life translates to Abbott’s dreamy collection.
YOUR INSPIRATION
For starting your business…
A deep love of being in nature and the power that fragrance has to transport us there on a daily basis.
To be an effective leader…
Lead by example.
To stay creative…
Meditate and escape to nature.
YOUR DAY
Morning routine…
Wake up early, read the news, meditate, walk by the East River, and stop at Devoción for a coffee before heading to the office.
Evening unwind…
Walk back home with no headphones so that I can be present in the sounds and scents that are happening around me.By the time I get home, the day has fallen off of me.
YOUR WELLNESS
Must-have skincare products…
St. Ives Apricot Scrub.
Favorite Abbott scent…
That’s like picking a favorite child! I love them all for different reasons.
Workout routine…
I have a weekly routine: Vinyasa yoga once a week, Yin yoga once a week, TRX or weight training once a week, and cycling once a week.
YOUR CITY
What you love most…
This is the land where whatever you are interested in, you can not only learn about it but also experience it firsthand. Any interest you have, any culture, any food – it is all available to you. Nowhere else in the world has that.
Go-to lunch order…
I love breakfast for lunch: Two eggs over easy, extra crispy bacon, avocado, and some added spicy sauce.
Weekend spots…
I live in Williamsburg, so I stay in my neighborhood: Get dinner at La Superior and then drinks at Night of Joy. Love getting donuts at Du’s on weekends. I’ll also stop by Rough Trade to pick up a record to listen to while I read and hibernate during the weekend.
Originally from Los Angeles, Alicia lived in Shanghai for 11 years before moving back to the states to attend the University of Miami, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minors in art and philosophy. Currently residing in New York City, Alicia applies her knowledge of strategic communication and design in her career. She enjoys painting, rugby, exploring, and more often than not, you’ll find her petting someone’s dog.
This is the land where whatever you are interested in, you can not only learn about it but also experience it firsthand. Any interest you have, any culture, any food – it is all available to you. Nowhere else in the world has that.
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