Soil Perfumes x JoJo Gibbons RDI

image by Eva Vermandel courtesy of Jo Gibbons

In 2018, the passion for preserving nature brought us together with landscape architect Jo Gibbons who contacted us with an interesting idea: the perfume of soil. Together, we embarked on a four-and-a-half-year-long sensory journey, part of which was during the lockdown, to capture the scent of soil. We were hoping that these perfumes will awaken and strengthen people’s innate ability to love nature.

“Soils are sensual…They are the skin of the planet. With more microbes in a handful than there are people on Earth, they have texture, scent, colour… Grab some, lift it to your nose. With your eyes closed, discover the dynamic of our living earth. This is the foundation of all life… “ says Jo Gibbons.

Through our creative collaboration we bring attention towards the visceral art and science of soils in the form of perfume for the skin and for the soul, as an elegant embrace of distilled glimpses of the natural world, like fleeting moments of the botanical life and soil biodiversity. 

Our perfumes dare to explore the landscape, intending to immerse you in this hidden habitat that holds the key to our survival. They are ‘a message in a bottle’, to inspire the notion of planetary health and bring attention to the Earth's vitality and beauty.

Erde and Verda are means of reconnection with the earth.
They are therapeutic aid for when you seek a life in harmony with nature.
We believe that our journey as a species is dependent on nature and its remarkable healing power.

"Soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all" - Wendell Berry

Johanna Gibbons RDI is one of the UK’s most respected landscape architects. For her pioneering, influential work that combines design, activism and education she was named a Royal Designer for Industry in 2019. 

This year 2025, the Association of Royal Designers for Industry (RDI) has elected Mrs. Johanna Gibbons as its next Master. She will be the first landscape architect in the Faculty’s history to hold this esteemed position. She will take on the prestigious role in November 2025.

Her body of work at her award-winning practice J & L Gibbons spans four decades during which soil biodiversity has become her driving force and the foundation of her research and work as a designer.

watch Lily Vetch's video "Erde with Jo Gibons"

to purchase the perfumes in UK, visit J&L GIBBONS