They called him mulekwa “orphan,” his father named me Celestine “heavenly.” From what he’sbeen told, Celestine was born in his maternal grandmother’s banana garden in Masindi westernUganda. Before he turned five, his father, a top government official died following a car accidentleaving his mother with five kids all under the age of fifteen, and little no money.

My first scent memory was petrichor. A euphoric earthy scent released when drops of rain firstkissed the dusty ground of my boyhood soccer field. With other kids unable to detect this smell,Celestine discovered that he had been born with hyperosmia. His olfactive pellet broadenedexponentially when out of necessity their family became regenerative farmers establishing hislove for botany, pollinators, and all things nature. It comes as no surprise Celestine’s enchantingfragrances are made with natural raw materials selected for their top quality.

Before he turned eight, whenever he was not in school, planting vegetable gardens or pullingweeds, his off-school time would be split between walking dozens of miles selling fruits i.e.,bananas, avocados, passionfruit, jackfruit, and working as a child laborer on construction sitesto buy books and pay his tuition. While in frustration his peers gave up pursuing their dreams,these same hardships, losses, and setbacks acted as inducements for Celestine and the veryreason behind brand’s foundation.From the majestic African sky where stars dance in liberation, to the magical scent of petrichor,the earthy fragrance of fresh lemon grass from his childhood garden, the sweet-citrusy andsparkling scent of ripe mandarins that were sometimes his only meal during his long commutesto and from school, the zesty lemons from his backyard, the crispy taste of fresh spring water ona hot African day, the divine aroma of sundried vanilla beans, to the subtle floral notes of freshlyroasted coffee beans from his mother’s garden and the engulfing perfume of wild flowersencountered in fields while grazing cattle, each Célestine fragrance is a romatic poem written bytop French and Italian master perfumers as imagined by an innocent mind of a little boy.

Celestine’s voyages line was written by Italian Master perfumer, Vito Lenoci to enchant anelegant man and woman.If you are the kind of classy individual who relishes in the importance of slow and ethical fashionand beauty and its influence on both people and the environment, we have the right fragrancesfor you. Celestine perfumes are macerated for over four years versus the standard two weeksby major brands, zero slave labor, and up to 85 percent natural.Dedication:To my biological father Emmanuel: Thanks for resisting the temptation to embezzle governmentfunds even though it was fashionable among you collogues.

I’m proud to have grown uppenniless but the son of an honest man than be rich on stolen money. I wish you’d been aroundto see the man I’ve become. I’m not gonna lie dad, it has been hard. As promised, I’m takingcare of mom. Thanks for stargazing with me right before you departed, it’s a great way toremember you. Oh, and I took after your passion for books.

To my precious mother Annette: Thanks for not giving up on discipling me. You taught me hardwork, gentleness, generosity, integrity, godliness, and you gave me a beautiful smile.

To my grandfather Arricardi: from what is said of you, honesty regardless of cost thus why youwere nicknamed Kulimba Kibi (lies and dishonesty are a sin).

To the Goins: For changing his life, unwavering love, teaching him the ways of polite society,and for buying me my books on perfume, fashion, birthday cake and my first everything.

To the millions of kids with stories similar to mine: Your dreams were neither too big norunrealistic, you were simply surrounded by blind people. Indulge!

Celestine Katongole,
Founder.