Interview with Marquis Furlow · Brotherhood Of Scent

Interview with Marquis Furlow

Mission Statement

At Marquis Furlow Fragrances, we believe that a fragrance is more than just a scent; it's an experience. Founded with a passion for artistry and elegance, our collection offers a carefully curated selection of scents that evoke emotion and inspire confidence.

Marquis Furlow Fragrances are based in California and currently ship within the U.S. only. They’re happy to assist with questions Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM PST; orders are processed and shipped during those same business days. Most orders ship within 24–48 hours, and if there any inquiries about an order, please include the order number for resolution.

Le Marquis- 1.7 oz EDP $65/ Body Spray $20

Top Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Black Tea

Middle Notes: Spices, Tonka Bean, Suede

Base Notes: Victorian Rosewood, Redwood, Sandalwood

Hommasse Le crème Intense- 1.7 oz EDP $65/ Body Spray $18

Top Notes: Black tea, Italian Bergamot, Wood accords

Middle Notes: Juniper berries, Cuban tobacco, Black pepper

Base Notes: Blackwood, Oakmoss absolute, Vanilla beans, Suede

Beau Suave- 1.7 oz EDP $65/ Body Spray $18

Top Notes: Caribbean rum, Coconut water

Middle Notes: Fresh Sage leaf, Tonka Bean absolute, and a trace of Gardenia

Base Notes: Amber, Clove, Sandalwood, Coconut cream, Teakwood

Hey everyone. Thanks for reading this interview with Marquis Furlow of Marquis Furlow Fragrances. I’ve had about two weeks of immersion into this fragrance and three days to enjoy them and I can state I did. Before we get into the interview, here’s some info on my guest.

Every craft has an origin story, and this one begins not in a boardroom or a laboratory, but in a personal space shaped by curiosity and patience. In 2008, at just 22 years old, Craig Marquis Furlow began experimenting with essential oils and grain alcohol, an exploration that quietly evolved from hobby to vocation through years of disciplined apprenticeship. That long arc of intention led to the founding of The C. Collection Fragrance House in 2016, and ultimately to its reemergence in 2024 under the name Marquis Furlow Fragrances—a redefinition rather than a departure.

Marquis, thank you for taking the time to join me for this interview.

Q: Can we start by asking you a little bit about yourself- what got you into fragrances?

A: Well first and foremost, thank you for taking the time to explore and experience each of my fragrances. Also for extending the invitation for this opportunity. 🙏🏾

Well, I am a SoCal native. I am a Cali boy, through and through lol. I like to think of myself as a creative by nature. I dabbled in a number of different things in the creative forum growing up. From drawing, to graphic design, to music/acting/modeling, to video media/production/editing etc. But to be transparent, nothing ever really stuck. I think I was all over the place for a while, trying to find my niche if you will. Then at about 22-23 years old, I wandered upon perfuming. I've always had a curious mind, and one day I was simply curious as to how perfume was made. Back then, our biggest outlet was YouTube. So I searched "1, 2, 3" step videos on perfuming. And that honestly began the rabbit hole of fascination lol. I started ordering supplies and experimenting with essential oils and 100 proof Grain Alcohol (from Bevmo) at the time. I started mixing until I created something that smelled good. Which definitely came after a number of not so good smells lol. But that's where it all began.

Q: There’s a distinctly social quality to your fragrances—an ease that invites conversation rather than demands attention, and I’ve seen firsthand how they seem to open the door to human connection. How does that philosophy set this line apart from what you created under The C. Collection Fragrance House, and what did you choose to carry forward—or intentionally leave behind—from that earlier chapter?

A: Honestly, I believe in quiet confidence. I affirmatively believe in the "Less is more" notion. So my objective was and has always been when creating a scent - understated confidence. I am also personally not a fan of overbearing notes that announce themselves before you are in the room. I like the intimate aspect of fragrance. That whiff that hits your nose when someone is close to you or when they embrace you with a hug. I also think because I am naturally a sensitive and expressive person, anything I create is connected to a personal place - like a song. The scent has to tell a story. And I think that's what people connect with when they smell them.

The fragrances that are currently available were chosen as core fragrances because I feel they were the ones that best represented what I envisioned for Marquis Furlow. They were also the best selling and best received of everything I had released up until that point of transition.

Q: What has been toughest challenges you’ve faced as a business and what is a great success story so far that you can share?

A: Whew, where do I start? lol I would definitely have to say just being a web-based FRAGRANCE brand has been the most challenging. Traditionally, fragrance is something that people like to buy in person. It's one of those products that people want tangible. And then you add being virally unknown to the equation. That made it very challenging for many years. Of course I've done the foot work. I've participated in several pop-up shops and flea markets to gain brand awareness over the years. Which in turn has brought regular customers and followers to social media. But my biggest success story? That would have to be a few years back, when I was able to get into a couple of stores in a couple of local malls here. They were "local" artists/brand focused. Which was honestly the most rewarding feeling I had experienced up until that point. It felt like I was finally gaining some traction. And the scents did well! Unfortunately, the stores closed down. But it is definitely an experience I put on my mantle.

I’d like to move on to “the good stuff” which means the fragrances you’ve masterfully created. First up— Le Marquis, the flagship fragrance.

Q: Le Marquis carries an air of quiet authority. How did you balance restraint and presence when working with tobacco leaf and black tea as the opening statement?

A: Well, I have to first say that Le Marquis wasn't necessarily intended to be the "flagship" fragrance to be honest lol. It was just another inspired scent to add to the tapestry. Marquis means "the noble man". Which is also my middle name. I never fully embraced my middle name until the creation of this scent. Overall, Le Marquis is the core of who I am. As for the opening notes, this goes back to what I mentioned earlier. I love quiet confidence. With that said, my objective when composing Le Marquis was masculine meets "zen"notes. Tobacco is one of my favorite notes, actually. I love the distinguished, masculine properties about it. But it's also a very bold note, so I chose black tea (another favorite), as opposed to a fruit note, to balance it out.

Q: The heart blends spices, tonka, and suede—notes often associated with warmth and intimacy. What emotion or moment were you aiming to capture in this middle phase?

A: Well, thematically, Le Marquis is about being connected to that inner coin inside of you. About having purpose and being a good human. But still being self-assured and confident. Suede is purposely the focal point in the heart of the fragrance. I think it's a note you naturally associate with luxury. I decided to add spices and tonka bean to evoke that warmth and earthiness and keep it connected thematically.

Q: Victorian rosewood and redwood are both historically rich materials. Was there a specific era, place, or archetype that influenced your choice of woods here?

A: I'm a woodsy kind of guy! I love the woods. I knew at the very beginning I wanted Le Marquis to be WOODY. Redwood reminds me of camping in the national parks here in California. And rosewood has a rich regalness to it. The challenge was balancing them all with the soft sandalwood, so it wouldn't be excessive. Which I think I succeeded at, if I may say so myself. :)

Q: How do you see Le Marquis evolving on skin from first spray to dry-down—what story should the wearer feel unfolding over time?

A: I think at first spritz, you get self-assurance and confidence for sure. As the fragrance progresses, I feel it still says confidence, but with an underlying sweet, but woody calmness that lingers into the dry-down. It's not abrasive. The wearer should feel like they come in peace, but also can't be moved. The dry-down of Le Marquis is one of my favorites. The tonka bean and redwood have such an endearing chemistry.

Q: If this fragrance were worn during a defining life moment (success, reflection, transition), which moment do you feel it best accompanies?

A: Well, ironically the inspiration for this fragrance was birthed from Hommasse Le creme, which is all about chasing success and making a statement. I feel it's very necessary to stay centered through life's successes and triumphs. Which warrants the need for Le Marquis. After success, thereshould be reflection and gratitude.

That leads into the next fragrance — Hommasse Le crème Intense.

Q: Where did the name come from? The description reads as “…Inspired by an individual with steadfast ambition, whose tireless quest for excellence creates a profound impact...” Is it based on a particular person close to you and are any of your fragrances inspired by people in your inner circle?

A: I was born to a teenage mother. All I have ever witnessed was her work hard to provide a better life for me and my younger siblings. I like to believe that that ethic is something I inherited from her. But the variances are: I am male. I am a black male. I am a creative. The success that I seek isn't what your average person would consider "practical" or realistic. Which is all the more reason I strive to exceed those societal norms and expectations.

Q: The opening of Hommasse Le crème Intense pairs black tea with Italian bergamot and wood accords—how did you approach freshness without losing the depth implied by the word Intense?

A: Well I think the freshness lies in the top and middle notes. Most of the depth comes from the heavier notes in the bottom. But I also specifically chose Bergamot because of its bold energy, and I balanced it with those wood accords to keep it leaning on the heavier side.

Q: Cuban tobacco and black pepper can easily dominate a composition. What techniques did you use to keep them powerful yet refined in the heart?

A: Honestly, I think just being able to discern when and when not to be too heavy-handed with certain notes comes with time and experience. I also chose other notes to balance the two.

Q: Juniper berries often evoke clarity and lift—what role do they play emotionally or structurally in this fragrance?

A: Juniper berry is actually one of the notes I chose specifically to balance the tobacco and black pepper. While the heaviness of these notes are prevalent, the juniper helps assist in keeping the composition fresh and uplifting.

Q: What does “cream of the crop” mean to you personally, and how did that philosophy guide the final balance of the base notes?

A: I believe it all stems from the way one feels on the inside, first. I believe you set the standard. If you think of yourself as the very best, you will always strive to be nothing less than that, at whatever it is that you do. And that's the perception you create for people.

I don't think it was necessarily what guided the base notes to be what they are as much as it was my desire for masculinity to meet luxury. Which in turn helped shape the fragrance, thematically.

Now, on to Beau Suave, a fragrance I found fun to wear. It kicked up my spirits with the compliments received.

Q. Caribbean rum and coconut water immediately set a tone—what scene or memory sparked the opening of Beau Suave?

A: Ahhhh. I have to say, Beau suave is like my first child. It was my trial and error scent. It had many faces during the 7-year period I was developing it. I just know that I loved beachy and tropical smells at the time, I still do. But I think what really inspired those top notes was when I was living in South Florida. I didn't have a vehicle while I was living there, so I was outside a lot. I still remember walking through my neighborhood and picking up coconuts that had fallen from the tree. I would take them home and make myself a coconut and rum drink lol. Miami is still one of my favorite places to visit. I definitely think the ambience of the tropical climate inspired those top notes.

Q: The inclusion of sage and a trace of gardenia is unexpected in a tropical-leaning fragrance. What did you want that contrast to express?

A: To be transparent, at the time I was simply experimenting with EVERYTHING lol. I do remember trying to find notes that would add some fullness to the composition. While I had the "foundation" of the scent, it wasn't yet whole. And the lasting power and sillage wasn't there yet. I actually started with a clary sage note originally. Which is more earthy and sharp. But then I came across sage leaf, and it completely changed everything. It added earthiness, but also a FRESHNESS that wasn't there before, and people automatically were drawn to it when they smelled it. The gardenia was honestly another note I was experimenting with, that surprisingly added another dimension to the composition. So I kept it.

Q: Tonka bean absolute often bridges warmth and sweetness—how does it function as a connector between freshness and sensuality here?

A: I think tonka bean is one of the ultimate balancers. That's why it's so frequently used in perfumery. I think the sweetness and nutty-like quality of the tonka bean is what adds to the sensuality of the composition, and helps balance all of that freshness.

Q: The base layers coconut cream with woods and spice. How did you avoid turning this gourmand while keeping it seductive?

A: It goes back to being able to discern when is too much. I do recall being a little heavy-handed with the coconut cream in the earlier versions of the composition. I also need to mention that I also had a sweeter note profile during that time, but my intention originally was to create a scent for men. So I scaled back on the coconut cream.

Now, regarding your line, each of these fragrances expresses a different form of confidence—poised, assured, and effortless.

Q: Were these created as distinct identities, or as facets of the same character at different moments in life?

A: Definitely facets of the same character. All of my scents are connected to me and inspired by moments in my life.

Black tea, suede, woods, and tonka appear repeatedly across the line.

Q: Are these part of your personal olfactory signature, or do they serve a deeper narrative function within your work?

A: These notes are definitely a part of my personal olfactory signature. They are notes that I connect with the most. I will always try to incorporate them in different ways for every scent. Like the next scent Marquis Furlow Signature, black tea is a part of the composition.

Your compositions balance approachability with sophistication.

All three scents evolve noticeably from opening to dry-down.

Q: When designing a fragrance, do you prioritize the first impression, the long wear, or the emotional memory it leaves behind?

A: I think the long wear is always the focal point for me when creating a new fragrance, personally. The top notes are the first impression, the "seller", if you will. But the meat of the fragrance, which is the heart and base is what leaves a lasting impression.

Q: If someone were to experience these fragrances in sequence—Le Marquis, Hommasse Le Crème Intense, then Beau Suave — what journey would you hope they feel they’ve taken by the end?

A: I like to say Le Marquis is PURPOSE. Hommasse is AMBITION. And Beau suave is VACATION. I would hope they feel inspired to be confident, to be the very best at whatever it is that they are doing, and to take time to enjoy life in the process.

There’s a distinctly social quality to your fragrances—an ease that invites conversation rather than demands attention, and I’ve seen firsthand how they seem to open the door to human connection.

Across your line, there’s a consistent through-line of spice and composure—fragrances that project confidence shaped by experience rather than bravado.

Q: For those of us who’ve lived a little and carry that perspective into our 50s, there’s a distinct sense of earned wisdom in wearing them; was that intentional, a deliberate appeal to men who have grown into themselves?

A: It's very much so intentional. As I create from being inspired by my very own life experiences, I think that sense of wisdom evokes in each fragrance naturally and inevitably, as I evolve and grow into myself as a man.

It’s been mentioned a few times, so I want to get into it because I really enjoyed it— the consistency in the dry down of your fragrances— the aromatic finish that doesn’t simply settle, but instead invites conversation and sparks curiosity.

Q: Was that result intentionally engineered from the outset, or did it reveal itself as a welcome surprise once the compositions were worn and allowed to evolve on skin?

A: I honestly don't think it's intentional. I think it's just the way I "molded" myself in perfuming. And it just happens to connect with people.

You currently offer a discovery set of 10 ml travel sizes drawn from your three 1.7 oz fragrances and body sprays, while also developing a two new releases, Marquis Furlow Signature and LeCove.

Q: What can you share with readers about how these two forthcoming scents expands or deepens the identity of the collection?

A: Well LECOVE is still in development, so I can't really divulge too much at the moment. I will say it is a marine driven scent.

As for Marquis Furlow Signature, this is the fragrance I would definitely say is the FLAGSHIP. It's an evolution from where I started to where I am now. It represents what the brand is all about: confidence and self-assurance. It will also be my first gourmand scent, as it incorporates chocolate and brown sugar accords.

Q: Finally, as your fragrances are driven toward the masculine, will there be any opportunities to explore feminine and unisexual patrons?

A: Most definitely. Beau suave actually is marketed as unisex. Although it leans more towards the masculine side, it's still neutral enough for certain women. LECOVE will be unisex. I also launched a women's fragrance called ISLA years ago that I plan to bring back, hopefully this year.

I’ve shared your work with an eye toward growth and long-term visibility, because it feels deserving of a wider audience. Brother Marquis, thank you for your time and care that you’ve given to this conversation. I wish you continued success as this next chapter unfolds.

Thank you brother!

Marquis: No, thank you brother! It means the world to me that you even care enough to do so! 🙏🏾 I tried to answer everything to the best of my ability. I hope it OK?

It was and the interview was insightful. I hope it make you the reader want to try this awesome line. As usual, your sillage may vary; fragrance discretion is advised. Thank you for reading

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