Jonathan Sielaff
Jonathan Sielaff is the quieter half of one of independent perfumery's most quietly compelling partnerships. Based in Portland, Oregon, he co-runs OLO Fragrance with his wife Heather Sielaff, the brand's founder and primary nose. Jonathan came aboard full-time in 2014, after years of watching Heather hand-blend every bottle in their small Northeast Portland studio. His path into fragrance runs an unusual route: a musician who plays amplified guitar in his own projects, he arrived at perfumery through partnership rather than apprenticeship, bringing a creative sensibility shaped by sound and texture. Together, he and Heather have grown OLO from a one-woman aromatherapy offshoot into a cult favorite known for skin-close naturals and compositions that feel personal rather than performative. The studio on NE 28th still smells like a working perfumer's space: bottles, droppers, botanical absolutes, and the soft hum of a business that refuses to scale past what two people can touch.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Jonathan composes
OLO's signature under Jonathan and Heather's shared hand is botanical-forward, with a particular affection for green aromatics, soft woods, and the slightly bitter lift of herbs and roots. Compositions tend to unfold quietly, prioritizing wearability and intimacy over projection. Expect threading of vetiver, lavender in unexpected proportions, conifer needles, and the occasional surprising citrus peel. The line leans naturals, with synthetics used sparingly to extend or stabilize rather than to lead. Bottles are blended and poured by hand in small batches, a constraint that shapes every formula the couple releases.
Philosophy
What drives Jonathan
Jonathan approaches fragrance as an extension of mood and place, much like composing a song. He and Heather share a conviction that perfume should sit close to the skin, readable to the wearer before anyone else, and built around natural materials wherever possible. The couple values accessibility without dilution of intent. They make every bottle themselves, sell directly to the people who wear their work, and resist the pull of licensing deals that would dilute that exchange. For Jonathan, the integrity of the studio matters as much as the juice in the bottle.
The houses
Maisons Jonathan composes for
In the same league