Introducing Amanda Thompson: The Founder of SiUNO
When I first connected with Amanda Thompson, founder of SiUNO, I was immediately struck by her rare blend of instinct, intellect, and artistry. There’s something magnetic about the way she speaks of scent—not as a commodity, but as a living, breathing expression of nature’s soul. A lifelong seeker and creator, Amanda brings together worlds that don’t often meet: luxury publishing and botanical purity, Mediterranean elegance and raw Australian earth, poetry and practicality.
Her story unfolds like a sensuous travelogue—one that meanders from Santa Fe to Milan, Bondi to Florence—rooted always in a reverence for plants and an intuitive knowing that fragrance, when made with whole botanicals, becomes something sacred. SiUNO is Amanda’s offering to that belief: a line of full-spectrum perfumes that feel wild, refined, and utterly alive.
Now joining the Sensoriam Collective, Amanda brings not only her unique creations, but a voice that elevates the global conversation around natural perfumery. It’s a joy to welcome her.
Read on to discover her path to perfumery, her love of sourcing, and the alchemical philosophy behind each scent she creates.
How did you become interested in natural perfumery? How long has SiUNO been around?
In my 20s, I developed a sensitivity to synthetic scents and stopped wearing perfume altogether. Years later, my love for fragrance was reignited when I discovered the world of whole botanicals. In 2020, during the pandemic, I followed an instinctive pull to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to study natural perfumery with Roxana Villa. That journey birthed our first scent, Ulysses, and ultimately SiUNO.
Initially, I was focused on creating candles with botanical essences, but the depth and soul of natural perfume drew me in completely. Since then, I’ve spent years sourcing oils from growers and distillers around the world — it’s still my favourite part of what I do. We launched our full collection at Pitti Fragranze in Florence last year, marking a beautiful chapter in our story.
What or who inspires your work in creating fragrances?
Nature is my ultimate muse — not just visually, but energetically. I’m drawn to alchemy, mythology, and symbolism, and I approach each perfume with a specific intention. For instance, Ulysses was created to support transformation and personal growth. I often start with a feeling, then explore mythology, art, and the natural world to shape the scent from there.
We work only with whole plant materials — no isolates, synthetics, or fractionated ingredients — because I believe in the full complexity of nature. That makes our creative process more challenging, but also more alive.
As a Gemini, I’m constantly riding the edge between practicality and poetry. I might dream up a perfume called Flowerjunk just walking the streets of Bondi, collecting frangipanis. I don’t follow formulas or write recipes — I follow feeling. It means I need people with structure around me, but I like the wildness of it too. My dream is to one day have a shelf in a store for all my one-off blends — unrepeatable, like fleeting moments in nature.
How have your life experiences led you to becoming an entrepreneur and launching your own business?
I started in fashion and publishing — working with titles like Elle UK and Harper’s Bazaar, and later completed an MBA in Milan with a luxury brand focus, even working at Bottega Veneta. During COVID, my priorities shifted. I began studying psychology, deepened my meditation practice, and found myself turning back toward nature and clean beauty. SiUNO is a blend of all these influences — the spirituality, Europe, and a grounded return to nature.
What was your previous experience in the world of perfume?
It grew organically from my studies and intuition. While I’m not a traditional perfumer, I’m deeply involved in every stage — from intention setting to concept, sourcing, and scent direction. I collaborate closely with botanical artists to bring my visions to life.
What is SiUNO all about for you?
SiUNO is rooted in connection. The name means “Yes, One” in Italian, symbolizing our shared consciousness and the oneness of all things. I wanted to create perfumes that feel alive — that bridge the wildness of nature with the elegance of the modern world.
Each fragrance is a love letter to the earth, made using 100% natural, whole materials. We don't use isolates or synthetics — even “natural” ones — because they reduce a plant to a single note. A wild rose has hundreds of scent molecules — a synthetic rose has maybe 10. That’s why our perfumes feel full and living — they are.
What makes your products unique?
We’re purists. Our perfumes are crafted in small batches, guided by the spirit of alchemy. Each year's harvest shapes our formulas, nature is never static, so neither are our perfumes. We age our blends in grape alcohol made from Australian wine, which adds a beautiful softness.
We also don’t use isolates — which are individual scent molecules extracted from plants. Even natural isolates lack the soul of the whole plant. While some natural brands use them to boost projection or stability, we prefer to work with nature in its entirety, imperfections and all. That’s what makes our scents more complex, subtle, and alive.
Who is the perfumer you work with?
I collaborate with two brilliant perfumers — Roxana Villa and Andrej Babicky — both of whom share my commitment to the International Perfume Foundation’s natural perfumery code of ethics. Creating with full-spectrum botanicals is an artform that requires deep skill and sensitivity, which they both bring.
How do you choose and source your natural ingredients?
Years have gone into building relationships with small distillers and growers worldwide. It’s not just about quality — it’s about values. I want to support people doing good work for the land and their communities.
Are there specific regions or suppliers you prefer for certain materials?
Absolutely. We source Australian sandalwood from Dutjahn, a 50% Indigenous-owned distillery. Our eucalyptus oil comes from Kangaroo Island and is truly one-of-a-kind. We also work with family-run distillers in Bulgaria for juniper berry, France for rose, and a cooperative in Madagascar for vetiver.
How would you describe the character or personality of your fragrances?
Each one has a unique soul. They're complex, powerful, and evolving. They feel natural — not in a simplified way — but in a way that reflects the full tapestry of the plant world. They’re meant to evoke emotion and take people on a sensory journey.
PURCHASE ULYSSES BY SiUNO AT SENSORIAM
Ulysses is a fragrance created to support you in realizing your highest potential.
PURCHASE SUNETTO BY SiUNO AT SENSORIAM
Sunetto is a joyful concerto inspired by summers spent on Roman rooftops.
PURCHASE AURELIUS BY SiUNO AT SENSORIAM
Aurelius blends spicy wood scents with hints of incense and exotic resins, invoking a feeling of strength and grounding.
PURCHASE SEVA BY SiUNO AT SENSORIAM
Seva combines the delicate fragrance of rose buds with the exotic allure of Indian resins and smoky wooden hues.
PURCHASE KALYPTOS BY SiUNO AT SENSORIAM
Kalyptos is infused with the raw, grounding essence of the Australian bush. Rich with eucalyptus, woods, and subtle herbaceous notes.
What aspects of your work bring you the most joy?
Sourcing ingredients is pure magic to me — discovering new growers, speaking with distillers, learning the story behind every bottle of oil. I also love naming our perfumes by capturing a feeling in just a few words.
Do you have a story or a moment in business so far that you cherish deeply?
Launching at Villa San Michele in Fragrance during Pitti Fragranze was unforgettable. It was our first time showing in Europe, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It felt like everything had come full circle.
What change do you want to see in the world?
I want people to slow down. To be more present with each other, and with nature. To reconnect with their hearts and trust their intuition.
What challenges do you face in the world of natural perfumery?
Logistics are a big challenge — exporting perfume from Australia is complex and costly. That’s why we’re exploring production in Italy to be closer to global markets. Another challenge is education — many consumers don’t realize what goes into true botanical perfumery or why it's priced as it is. And the industry’s lean toward synthetics — even in “natural” brands — makes it harder to hold our line.
That said, Australia offers freedom. The post-COVID boom in niche perfumery is partly due to fewer regulatory hurdles. The first natural fragrance fair in Geelong this year is a sign of how the scene is growing.
What’s your dream for the future?
To grow SiUNO sustainably and create a Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle range. I also want to keep hosting scent-driven experiences — beautiful, soulful parties that connect people through joy and scent.
What trends are you seeing in perfumery? What do you think of AI in fragrance?
There’s a growing divide; some brands lean toward artistic expression with native ingredients, while others chase commercial trends. AI in perfumery is fascinating but very far from what we do. We work intuitively, sensually with raw, living materials that are unpredictable and don’t follow algorithms. There’s room for both, but our magic is human.
Kalyptos is a great example — Andrej turned eucalyptus, typically medicinal, into something refined and poetic. That’s where Australian perfumery shines, when it’s bold enough to surprise.
When do you wear each of your scents?
I often wear single essential oils during the day to stay close to the plant’s energy. But on balmy Mediterranean nights when I am in Italy I love to spritz Sunetto — it’s full of citrus and happiness. When I am going out I love wearing Ulysses as I get so many comments.
What's an inspiring quote or mantra you live by?
Whenever I feel lost, I go back to my heart to find the love. I tell myself every morning - Everything just works out for me! It is about staying with my heart but keeping things light!
