Made for Beauty's Sake
Art arises from the human longing for beauty—whether found in the enduring ideals shared across cultures and eras, or uncovered in the provocative and transgressive, where beauty defies convention to reveal deeper truths.
Olfactory art that I lean towards includes those that are:
- dusky
- slightly severe
- elegant but not polished to death
- a little unsettling, but in a good way
Do you like those too? That’s why I’m usually using ouds in my work.
Hit me up, I‘d love to walk you through what I have, some of which are not posted online yet, and select the one that’s right for you!
These items are created as olfactory are and not, in the conventional sense, perfumes for skin. The products are not approved by regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA) to be used on skin, nor has testing been done to ensure there will be no adverse reaction to the skin, including an allergic response; neither has it been evaluated for compliance with IFRA (International Fragrance Association). Any use of the words perfume, fragrance, etc., are only intended by vintage, pre-testing and current regulation. Use of any words or description that suggest application to skin are for olfactory education purposes. Items herein are marketed as collectible aromatic art items. Lupus & Vega disclaims all liability associated with misuse and cannot provide refunds related to misuse.
Olfactory Art
These items are created as olfactory are and not, in the conventional sense, perfumes for skin. The products are not approved by regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA) to be used on skin, nor has testing been done to ensure there will be no adverse reaction to the skin, including an allergic response; neither has it been evaluated for compliance with IFRA (International Fragrance Association). Any use of the words perfume, fragrance, etc., are only intended by vintage, pre-testing and current regulation. Use of any words or description that suggest application to skin are for olfactory education purposes. Items herein are marketed as collectible aromatic art items. Lupus & Vega disclaims all liability associated with misuse and cannot provide refunds related to misuse.
Olfactory Art
REVIEW OF NEW WORKS, End of April, 2026, by reviewer: Drevel Savren:
Lupus & Vega’s "Odysseus" and "Hades"
by: Drevel Savren
I've become a big fan of Joe's work at Lupus and Vega, so when I heard about a new sprayable release exclusive to Stele, I had to check it out.
Tested "Odysseus" first, two sprays. This is fantastic. The opening has a subtle barn note that quickly fades into a cherry, blueberry, raspberry type of sweetness, very purple, layered over a dark, damp, glowing woodiness. That "glow" is the standout, giving the composition a regal quality that lifts gently off the skin with hints of resin and sott smoke. It's well blended and cohesive without feeling flat.
In the drydown, a nutty sandalwood comes through, at least on my skin. Up close, the damp woods stay present, but the sillage carries that same purple character from the opening, with a soft spice likely coming from the woods. There are florals in the heart adding structure, though they're hard to pinpoint.
"Hades" was a surprise. Woods, soft ambers and more woods. Subtly salty, dry and slightly smoky in an oud-like way, though oud doesn't feel central. I get sandalwood, cedar and guaiac, all wrapping around the nose in a warm, almost nostalgic way. It's about 85 in NYC right now, and despite being described as dense, it wears more airy on my skin. Still present, just more restrained than "Odysseus."
That restraint is balanced by strong persistence. It doesn't fade. Like "Odysseus," it feels alive. Peppery undertones, likely from the cedar, give it lift, which ends up being my favorite part.
Not sure if "Odysseus" is live yet, but it likely will be by end of day. "Hades" drops next week. If you're familiar with Joe's work, this feels like a safe blind buy if the profile speaks to you.