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He’s Back!

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Story by Tara Cahill

Harry Slatkin is often called the king of home fragrance. But when I meet him in a conference room at QVC Studio Park, it’s apparent he’s not the bossy kind of king. Instead, Harry’s in a white dress shirt sans tie. His navy double-breasted suit jacket with lavender pocket square is slung over a chair and he’s immersed in arranging two dozen candles from HomeWorx, his newest home fragrance line.

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Today’s meeting is with QVC bigwigs and buyers. “I’m excited about this more than anything in the past. I was about to retire. My wife wouldn’t allow that. She said, ‘You spend too much and I don’t want you sitting around all day.’”

You may know his wife, NEST founder and on-air guest Laura Slatkin. Harry is no stranger, either. About a decade ago he sold home fragrance products, then called Slatkin & Co. “I feel like I’m coming back to family. I walk in the front door and everyone is friendly. And that’s why QVC is what QVC is. They care.”

Harry admits he’s a little nervous about his reintroduction. This 55-year old with nary a gray hair or wrinkle claims he’s changed since the last time he was on air. “Customers haven’t seen me in 10 years. I’ll have to see what their reaction is.”

In the world of fine fragrance Harry Slatkin is known as a “nose,” an honor for a select few in the perfume world. It means Harry has a discerning sense of smell which can be good—and bad. “For me it’s a blessing. The only curse is I smell everything, so it’s hard to get into a taxi cab in New York. But I’ve learned how to shut my nose off.”

As “a nose,” he doesn’t describe his candles by a singular smell. “It’s fine fragrance. But you don’t talk fragrance. You talk stories.” For example, his Banana Maple Pancake candle: “My wife makes banana maple pancakes every Sunday. It’s her specialty. I’ve had them for 25 years. It’s us in our pajamas. Maple syrup, butter, bacon. Hot cocoa for the kids. Coffee for me. It’s my life that I want to share with others.”

If you’re torn over which fragrance to choose, Harry is quick to point out home fragrance should be layered. “All of them are designed to be put together.” Try a floral scent in the living room and a fruity scent in the front hallway. “Just have fun,” he advises.

Christmas in July is the perfect time to experience Harry’s handiwork. Check out his Set of 2 Scented Deluxe 3-Wick 18-oz Candles (H211394). He’s layered them for you! Fragrances like Fireside & Frozen Balsam and Deck Halls & Trim the Tree are sure to put you in the holiday spirit. He also recommends adding a different scent source like his 2 Scentworx Diffusers with 4 Refills (H211397).

For gift giving, Harry says there’s nothing better than a candle. “It lasts for a long time and changes the atmosphere in your home. It really is the gift that keeps giving.”

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You can shop the Homeworx by Harry Slatkin Collection HERE