Katrina Cochrane – A Natural Perfumer Rooted in Craft, Ethics, and Beauty

Katrina CochraneKatrina Cochrane, the founder of Archer Farrar Perfume Atelier, is part of a new generation of natural perfumers bringing integrity, warmth, and refined artistry to the world of botanical fragrance. Based in Sydney, Australia, Katrina’s journey into perfumery wasn’t a straight line — but rather a winding path marked by deep sensory training and a commitment to working with nature rather than against it.

Her professional roots lie in aromatherapy, having qualified in 2003 with a diploma from Nature Care College. That grounding in the therapeutic properties of plant essences shaped her early understanding of natural materials. From there, she spent over a decade in the Australian wine industry, where she developed a fine-tuned nose and a deep appreciation for subtle aromatic structures. This period helped sharpen her ability to read complex notes — a skill that would later become central to her perfumery practice.

In 2018, Katrina formally enrolled in the Natural Perfume Academy (NPA) to train under Master Natural Perfumer Justine Crane. It was through the Academy that she immersed herself in the art of natural botanical perfumery, gaining not only the technical skills but also a deeper creative and ethical framework. After completing her certification and earning her place as a Certified Natural Perfumer, she went on to establish Archer Farrar in 2020.

Archer Farrar Perfume Atelier has quickly gained a reputation for producing 100% natural, small-batch perfumes that are contemporary in vision but rooted in traditional craft. Katrina formulates every fragrance by hand using only pure essential oils, absolutes, resins, and natural isolates. Her ingredients are ethically sourced, with attention paid to sustainability and environmental impact at every stage of the process.

Her guiding philosophy is clear: “Perfumes should be creative expressions of the purity, vitality, beauty and diversity of nature.” This principle is reflected in everything she makes — from her core collection to bespoke creations offered through private consultations. Each fragrance feels intimate, intentional, and in harmony with the earth.

In 2024, her work was formally recognised when her fragrance “Embrace” won Bronze in the Best Perfume Oil category at the Clean + Conscious Awards — a respected Australia/New Zealand awards platform that highlights ethical and sustainable brands. Judges praised the formulation’s originality, craftsmanship, and commitment to natural materials, with particular attention to her refillable packaging and small-batch ethos.

Today, Katrina remains closely connected to the Natural Perfume Academy. She is listed in the Academy’s directory of certified perfumers and is regarded as a shining example of how NPA graduates can build meaningful, successful, and sustainable perfume brands. Her story is already inspiring students coming up through the program — not because of a flashy origin tale, but because of her consistent integrity, creative depth, and respect for nature’s raw materials.

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