Soul searching with House of BŌ
Bernardo Möller, founder of House of Bō, embodies a profound passion for perfumery that transcends the mere creation of scents. Rooted in a rich multicultural heritage, Möller’s journey into the world of fragrances began in the heart of Mexico, where he was born. From the earthy scent of Roble trees in the forests surrounding his home to the distinct aroma of his mother’s tanning oil during beach vacations.
Each fragrance in his collection tells a personal story of love, loss, and adventure, reflecting the pivotal moments of his life. Inspired by his late father’s teachings on authenticity and purpose, Möller created House of Bō. Collaborating with renowned master perfumers, he embarked on a mission to produce fragrances that inspire and evoke deep emotional responses.
Join us as Möller responds to our questions about his journey, inspirations, and creative process behind his gender neutral scents and commitment to conscious luxury.
Can you share with us the journey that led you to become a perfumer?
I consider myself a fragrance curator. I started as a collector when I was really young and my dream was always to curate my own collection of masterpieces with the world’s most renowned noses.
What inspires you most in your work? Have there been specific memories, experiences, or people that motivate you creatively?
Mexico (where I was born). I am very much inspired by storytelling, every fragrance is its own universe, from the name to the stone cap, to the ingredients. It’s like creating a movie or a book. Also, a huge inspiration in the message I relay comes from my father, who is the reason I started this company.
What does your creative process look like from the initial idea to the final product? How do you translate abstract concepts into tangible scents?
I consider myself very adaptable. I like to have a serious structure but don’t necessarily follow a specific rule so I take a different approach for each creation. The beauty of this process is really the imaginative stage.. not being able to smell your creative idea and working tirelessly until you finally smell what you have been imaging all along, this is one of the most rewarding things I experience.
How do you navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with being an artist today?
Staying true to my vision. I think that when an artist is given creative freedom to create, when he is not worried about what others might say, it allows them to enter into a magically imperfect perfect flow.
Can you give an example of a perfume that has a particularly personal significance to you?
Espiritu from our collection. It’s a scent that has a very specific signature, it doesn’t reference anything else out there and it is also an homage to my father.
What role do sustainability and ethical considerations play in your manufacturing process? How do you address these issues in your work?
There is a term we use in HOUSE OF BŌ, conscious luxury, which means everything we do from beginning to end has a sustainability conscious purpose and intention. 
Tell us about your sourcing practices. If you could also expand on your packaging design?
We source materials from all over the world. We work with local share farm holders and communities to find the highest quality naturals. My main goal was to highlight nature, whether olfactorily or through the natural gemstone caps. The packaging is inspired by architecture and design which is the bond that my father and I shared while he was alive.
You are miami-based. What does miami mean to you, does it inspire your designs?
Holiday escapism is one of the common olfactive themes in House of BŌ. All our fragrances smell natural but they also have this fresh quality to them. Every fragrance can work in an environment like miami, even our woody scents.
