The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Rings of Time launched in 2015 as a fragrance by Julissa Jose, built around Juniper Berries, Cypress, Cedar, and Cedar Bark. Its aromatic construction brings these materials together in a restrained woody profile. Juniper contributes an aromatic snap, cypress adds a green quality, and the two cedar notes give the composition its woody structure. Together, they create a fragrance marked by a clear contrast between bright, vegetal notes and smooth, dry wood. The different materials remain distinct while sharing one continuous scent, giving Rings of Time a balanced character that invites closer attention to each listed note.
Juniper Berries, Cypress, Cedar, and Cedar Bark form the fragrance foundation. The juniper note adds an aromatic quality that stands apart from the woody materials. Cypress contributes its own green character, while Cedar and Cedar Bark place the composition within a broader register of dry wood. These listed notes interact without relying on one material to define the whole scent. As the fragrance wears, their character remains connected through the shared woody direction of the composition.
The evolution
The listed notes shape how Rings of Time develops on the skin. Juniper Berries establish the aromatic side of the fragrance, while Cypress adds a green dimension that contrasts with the wood notes. Cedar and Cedar Bark contribute different expressions of the woody profile, giving the composition depth as it settles. Powdery and earthy qualities become part of the overall wear, adding another layer beneath the brighter materials. Over time, the fragrance presents a gradual combination of aromatic, green, powdery, and woody notes. Its evolution is subtle rather than sectional, allowing the individual materials to remain present within one consistent structure.
Cultural impact
Rings of Time belongs to a fragrance line shaped by Harlem Botanica's use of recognizable scent materials. Juniper Berries, Cypress, Cedar, and Cedar Bark provide a varied aromatic structure, bringing together green, woody, and powdery qualities in one composition. The fragrance offers a way to explore how these materials change in relation to one another, from the initial impression through the later stages of wear. Its character comes from the combination of the listed notes and the contrasts they create.
The House
Harlem BotanicaHarlem Botanica connects fragrance to the cultural memory of Harlem through scents conceived as stories. The house was established by Teri Johnson, whose work draws on the history and creative legacy of the Harlem Renaissance. Its fragrance wardrobe includes Rings of Time, Desert Bloom, Spice of Life, Endless Summer, and Sprouting Calm. Later releases center on figures and settings associated with Harlem, including Duke, Billie, Josephine, Langston, Eartha, and Speakeasy. The brand later became known as Harlem Perfume Co. and expanded its reach through a reported launch at Sephora.
The Creator
Julissa JoseNo signature techniques or preferred ingredients can be verified for Julissa Jose from the supplied research. The sources discuss perfumery as a profession, training routes, and the work of several established noses, but they do not connect those details to her.
