ABOUT

Universal Flowering (established in 2016), is a collection of fragrances by perfumer Courtney Rafuse.

Each perfume is a romantic extension of Rafuse herself, formulated in dialogue with the liminal, the erotic, and the unsteady autobiography of memory.
Her synesthetic approach to formulation encourages the wearer to weave their senses into one.

Rafuse’s work, which includes collaborations with visual artists, fashion designers, and novelists, has been featured in publications such as Nylon, Airmail, The Globe and Mail, BBC and more.

The most recent perfumes in the collection, ‘Etude in Black’ and ‘Big Night’ were launched at Stele in NYC, on November 20th 2025. 

In addition to Universal Flowering, Courtney is also co-founder/perfumer of Gumamina, a project created with her friend, Marissa Zappas.
She also is the in-house perfumer for the Paris based company, Eleasium.

To inquire about freelance private label scent work, candles, home/business fragrance, and other scented goods - Please email courtney[@]universalflowering.com.