PRODUCT & PACKAGING FAQ'S
What were your packaging design inspirations?
Because the queen of the night is native to the Sonoran and Chihuahan
deserts, when developing the look and design of the line, it was important
to maintain its' southwestern integrity. We commissioned Ed
Mell, the Phoenician artist famous for his beautiful landscapes and
flowers, to paint Queen of the Night exclusively for Once in a Bloom Fragrances.
This image is the focal point on the packaging of our products. Some of
Ed's paintings are displayed in the Phoenix Art Museum and in private
collections of such celebrities as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Click on his
name above to learn more.
Additional touches are also in keeping with the brand's southwestern integrity: Our Gold and Turquoise bottles reflect the golden light of the sun on the desert sand and state gemstone of Arizona. Fringe, most associated as an accent on western boots and jackets, adorns the collar of Desert Queen's bottle cap - a unique and delicate southwestern touch.
Susich Design in Phoenix, AZ is responsible for gathering all of these inspirations to create the overall look of the line.
What exactly is an Eau de Parfum?
An Eau de Parfum strength is second only to actual perfume. It has more
essential oils and less alcohol than an Eau de Toilette or Cologne strength.
You do not need to spray several times to make it last. One or two sprays
on both the wrist or neck will usually last a long time.
What does "French-Milled" mean (in relation
to your soap)?
French-milled (or hard-milled) means the soaps are continually compressed
to extract as much air as possible, leaving a solid, long-lasting bar
of soap. A Glycerin bar soap on the other hand is full of air which is
why it dissolves away in no time!
Are your products tested on animals?
No!
About Ed Mell
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Ed Mell's work has brought him national recognition.
His use of angular forms and airbrush, art-deco inspired illustration
techniques has won him covers of National Lampoon, Esquire and Psychology
Today, as well as advertisements for Faberge, Air France and Helena Rubenstein.
His works are featured in the Phoenix Art Museum as well as in the private
collections of Erma Bombeck, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Urich. Several
works are also held in the corporate collections of Tri-Star Pictures
and Mary Kay Cosmetics.
After working in NY for 2 years as an Art Director at a large ad agency,
Ed decided he missed the open spaces of the Southwest. In 1971, he spent
the summer on the Hopi reservation teaching art to children and adults
at the Hote Villa-Bacavi community school and became immersed in the images
of the vast horizons and melodramatic skies. Deciding at that point to
forego his career in NY, Ed moved back to Phoenix and became a freelance
illustrator. In 1978, he made a full transition to landscape artist.
Other images have been added to his portfolio in recent years - cowboys, cattle, and, in particular, flowers. His floral images are bestowed with the attributes of landscapes and contain color, shape and texture beyond the ordinary. Ed Mell's flower paintings have, without fail, been compared to those of Georgia O'Keefe. Both have enlarged their flowers to transform them to a different kind of visual perception, with O'Keefe's work filled with spiritualism, exploring the flower's identity as a sensual thing. Mell's primary interest is in the impact and visual design of the flowers, without losing their delicacy and presence. He's given them a more abstract quality by moving his viewpoint closer and utilizing different angles of vision.
