Meet Alicia Marie, Latina entreprenuer and founder of San Maris. San Maris is a matriarchal owned candle brand redefining elegance with the finest fragrance oils and wax. Breaking away from conventional Botanica candles, they craft clean and sacred aromas that embody the rich stories of Latin America. From oral traditions to captivating scents, each candle encapsulates the essence of their heritage and Mother Earth, offering a sensory immersive experience.

1. Tell me about San Maris. How was it created?

San Maris was established in 2016 in my Brooklyn apartment. Initially envisioned as a skincare line, I discovered a passion for aromas and their ability to evoke nostalgic memories through scent. As a musician, this resonated with me in a way similar to writing a song; it came naturally to me. In 2018, I pursued courses in perfumery, marking the beginning of my journey with San Maris. I chose to start with candles because of my love for home fragrances and the atmosphere they create, from the ambient glow to the captivating scents that fill a space.

2. What is the LAUNE (mood) of San Maris?

San Maris embodies a clean aesthetic complemented by bold, modern lines and unspoken narratives.

3. Describe the style of San Maris in three words.

BOLD, MODERN, NEO-EXPRESSIONISM

4. What inspires you?

Music, Art, Animals and My Mother

5. What does the creation process look like? How did you get interested in creating candles and body care?

The fragrance for each candle is blended in my Oakland, California studio. I used to hand-pour all the candles myself, but my space was limited, so I now have a manufacturer in Los Angeles that hand-pours all my candles. This provides jobs for people of color, individuals with disabilities, women, and the incarcerated. San Maris was originally going to be a skincare line, playing off my career as a celebrity hair and makeup stylist. I took a course in herbalism and fell in love with the fragrance blending process. It reminded me of writing songs, as I was a bass player in a band early on. It evoked emotions and memories of my childhood, and I fell in love with it. I went on to take perfumery courses in California, moving back to my home state and fully embracing San Maris. The inspiration behind San Maris is my mother, who has had a huge influence, from curating some artwork to helping me with fragrance blends for each candle.

6. Do you have a favorite candle? How do you choose your scents and names?

My current favorite candle is XXX. The inspiration for this candle came from a trip to New Orleans in 2019. Being of Dominican heritage, I have always been captivated by the city's ambiance and mysticism. San Maris has truly enabled me to explore the history of my roots and culture. Drawing from the region's scents, I used dark, mystical fruits like fig, plum, and pomegranates, and layered them with earthy notes such as Spanish moss and Amyris. This candle specifically is named after Marie Lauveau and her New Orleans lore.

7. What’s next for San Maris?

I'm rounding out the first collection: I have seven candles ready and slowly launching them. Bodycare…some exciting things for the future.