I, YOU, and WE BY INCORP

INCORP, the brainchild of mother-daughter duo Vanessa and Kira Lillie, known as VK Lillie, is an interdisciplinary art project that bridges the worlds of luxury fragrances, alternative medicine, and design. At the heart of the project lies a triad of all-natural essential oil fragrances, conceptualized, crafted in collaboration with Norwegian smell researcher Sissel Tolaas. Each scent—I, YOU, and WE—encourages a non-exclusive self-identification, designed to transcend the limits of gender and ego.

Accompanying creative collaborations within the INCORP project expand the range of sensory experiences beyond smell – from the custom-made flacon designed by Portuguese product designer Samuel Reis to the brass tops created by Italian designer Ugo Cacciatori. Novembre asked some of the creative minds involved in the project to share the thoughts, challenges, and aspirations that have shaped INCORP.

INTERVIEW Nele Jackson & PHOTOGRAPHY Samuel Spreyz

Novembre: What does "healing" mean to you?

Kira Lillie: "Being healthy is a state in which the individual can fully exhibit the abilities they have," as Yoshifumi Miyazaki said. To me, healing means supporting people's minds and bodies so they feel seen and heard, providing them with space to understand, experience, and guide themselves.

What's one emotion you hope people experience when wearing the scents?

Connection; a moment to connect through smell and to go inward.

What has collaborating with your mother taught you?

My mother has taught me the importance of love, patience, and understanding.

Vanessa Lillie

Novembre: Your healing practice spans over three decades. How has your approach to healing evolved over this time, and what insights have you gained?

Vanessa Lillie: In the beginning of my practice, I was trying to nurture and help people. Now, I understand that each person's system is inherently wise and knows what it needs to do. My purpose as a Biodynamic Craniosacral practitioner is to be present and hold the knowledge of the inherent health and wisdom in my client's system; acknowledge and support what it shows me from a neutral, honoring place; and create the conditions for healing to occur.

Which essential oil is your personal favorite, and why?

Lavender is the essential oil I use most often because of its broad spectrum of benefits, but sandalwood is probably my favorite scent.

What's the most important thing a mother can teach her daughter?

Life is precious, and so are you.

Sissel Tolaas

Novembre: How did you approach crafting the scent profiles for the I, YOU, WE fragrances?

Sissel Tolaas: By choosing organic compounds with demonstrated functionality beyond their smell, followed by testing, modification, further testing, production, and application.

Why work with smell?

Speaking the truth remains the most revolutionary act. Nothing is more true than a smell. We have exhausted our vocabulary to describe the world, and the prevalence of images obstructs our ability to see beyond them. Smelling, however, engages emotions and memories differently, fostering essential reaction and action.

What is something you never want to smell again?

I long to inhale every smell and smell molecules repeatedly, even beyond the end of days.

Torso Solutions

Novembre: What inspired the visual direction for INCORP?

Torso Solutions: Growth and decomposition. Vacation brochures and leadership retreats.

What is your favorite technical trick or piece of equipment for creating images?

A portable scanner.

If you could add one additional dimension to your visuals – touch, taste, or smell – which one would it be?

Definitely smell!

Marco Panconesi

Novembre: How did you approach finding the right shape for the acupressure tool?

Marco Panconesi: The initial thought for the shape came from understanding that the tool was meant to be an extension of the body. It had to be smooth and soft to adapt and caress each part of the body. So the human body was a great source of inspiration—focusing on the study of curves, shapes, organs, and bones. We also thought it would be great if it could hold the liquid like a spoon. The feeling you have and the comfort of holding it in your hands is very important. But beyond the ergonomic, physical elements of the tool, we wanted to create spiritual objects that extend one's senses towards the magical.

For you, what's the difference between obsidian, tigers eye, and opal?

I'm a gemstone lover, collector, and a nerd when it comes to stones. So I naturally believe in the intrinsic power they have. More than this, I am a firm believer that a personal affinity for the magical powers of metals and stones is embodied in colors, shapes, and textures—opening possibilities for one to decide upon emotional impulse. So that's the main difference between them, the way they speak to you and the way they can make you reconnect to yourself.

If you could have one of your senses heightened, which one would it be?

Hearing!

Emmanuel Crivelli

Novembre: What was your vision for the overall graphic design for this project?

Emmanuel Crivelli: I created the poster and its envelope, which feature a collage of bodies that shows the richness of the diversity of human beings but also the unity that brings us together. The style of the college gives the visual a materiality which recalls touch and makes you want to touch it. On the back of the collage, we find the 3D silhouette of the human body and educational instructions on the various energy points. In transparency, the two sides of the poster overlap and illustrate both the carnal and energetic dimensions of the body.

Describe your artistic approach in three words.

Attractive, radical, and structured.

What's your favorite part of the human body?

Ankles.

Figure ll

Novembre: As a creative studio, what perspective and expertise did you bring to the INCORP collaboration?

Figure ll: A bit of structure and hours of conversation. INCORP goes beyond the physical object; it's about the idea of self-care. Kira is unstoppable and will take you deep into what self-care can mean. Sometimes our job as creative directors is to process thoughts, render them into questions, then try and answer with shapes. This time, INCORP is embodied in a perfume, but I'm sure it'll be something else in the future.

In your view, what are the most exciting or innovative aspects of INCORP?

The totality of it.

Which key emotion will shape the future of art and design?

Fear.