With dried flowers, natural oils and candles burning in every corner, you can smell Vianney Hunter’s studio before you see it. This tiny warehouse space just off the Princess Highway on the Newtown side of St Peters is creating custom scents inspired by people, places and venues.
Although Hunter Candles have only been on the market for the public for four years, Vianney has been honing her craft for over a decade. What makes them so special is the hand-poured technique she uses, with ingredients such as plant oils and soybeans.
You can purchase Hunter Candles with the knowledge that your purchase is biodegradable and free from pesticides, palm oil, petroleum and GMOs
Her range includes scented tea lights and travel candle tins (priced from $45). Vianney welcomes bespoke candle commissions, too. For weddings, corporate gifting, collaborations, birthdays and baby showers. you name it they’ve done it.
“Made especially just for you … Custom scents. Custom packaging. We just love creating special things for special people,” she says on Hunter Candles website.
Considering herself as a storyteller and scent maker, each of her candles is named for after a muse. The Deborah is inspired by her mother, has an elegant fig tree scent. While Australia (blue gum, lemon myrtle and wattle) is like a stroll through the Aussie coastal bush. The James is named after her partner and is a blend of yuzu and smoke, it reminds her of a special meal he makes for her.
Vianney said: “I find the streets contagious. They have this crazy energy, full of life and lust. Yet everything still feels so simple here, and everyone feels so connected”.
Hunter Candles draw inspiration from the natural surroundings of suburbs, art-filled streets and importantly from the people. She also creates bespoke scented candles inspired by restaurants and cafes.
With coffee being a staple in Vianney’s life, it’s not crazy to think that a collaboration with one of her favourite café Newtown’s 212 Blu wasn’t eventually going to happen. If you’re a fan of coffee, Cedar and saffron, the 212 Blu is the scent for you.
Hunter Candles
100A May Street, St Peters
Hours:
Mon to Fri 9.30am–5.30pm
Sat to Sun 10am–4pm
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