Caitlin Hayes
Caitlin Hayes turned a classroom of middle‑school English essays into a laboratory of scent in the early 2020s. After a decade of teaching, she launched Sorce / Sorcellerie Apothecary in Charlotte, North Carolina, channeling the same curiosity that once drove her students to question language. Self‑taught and fiercely independent, she built her first formula in a modest kitchen, then refined it in a modest studio she still calls home. The brand’s debut, Snow Moon Magic, arrived in 2020 and earned a cult following among indie‑fragrance collectors. Since then, Caitlin has balanced a freelance writing career with a growing portfolio of boutique releases, each anchored by a narrative that mirrors her love of storytelling and the natural world. Her trajectory reflects a rare blend of literary discipline and aromatic intuition, positioning her as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary perfumery.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Caitlin composes
Caitlin favors natural extracts that whisper rather than shout. Lavender, vanilla, and freshly cut herbs appear frequently, often paired with unexpected mineral accords that evoke rain‑kissed soil. She layers ingredients like sentences, allowing a bright opening to dissolve into a softer, skin‑hugging dry‑down. Her technique relies on low‑temperature distillation and careful maceration, preserving the delicate character of each component. The result feels intimate, as if the fragrance were written directly onto the wearer’s skin.
Philosophy
What drives Caitlin
Caitlin treats each bottle as a paragraph, letting memory, place, and feeling dictate composition. She believes scent should echo the texture of a lived moment rather than chase novelty. Her writing background fuels a habit of drafting scent stories before she mixes any ingredient, ensuring the final aroma reads as clearly as a well‑edited essay. She draws inspiration from gardens, weathered books, and quiet afternoons, trusting that authenticity resonates more deeply than trend‑driven formulas. This commitment to personal truth guides every decision, from note selection to packaging.
The houses