In the intimate ateliers of La Boticá Studios, luxury is reimagined through the prism of Dominican heritage, where ancestral wisdom transforms into contemporary aromatic art. Here, traditional knowledge meets artistic innovation to create extraordinary fragrance experiences that transcend the ordinary.
Our collection begins with precious ingredients harvested from the lush landscapes of the Dominican Republic. Each indigenous element is thoughtfully selected, each formula meticulously composed—a delicate alchemy that transforms nature's finest offerings into sophisticated works of art. These rare materials are paired with exceptional elements sourced from the world's most distinguished terroirs, creating compositions of unparalleled refinement.
Drawing profound inspiration from architectural precision, contemporary art, and the rich tapestry of Afro-Dominican culture, La Boticá crafts limited-edition pieces that exist at the intersection of function and fine art. Each creation emerges from our Long Island City atelier as both a fragrant masterpiece and an object of contemplation—where sustainable practices harmonize with artistic vision.
Our commitment to artisanal excellence manifests in small-batch production, where every detail is considered, every note perfectly balanced. This devotion to craft yields experimental yet sophisticated works that honor both innovation and tradition. The result is a collection of cleanly formulated fine fragrances and objects that capture the transportive power of perfumery while setting new standards for sustainable luxury.
The Manifesto
“We believe in the transformative power of ritual.
In the wisdom carried through generations.
In the beauty of intention.
In luxury that honors the earth.
moments of connection—
To our roots, to our traditions, to our future.
Each scent is a story of purity and purpose.
Each object, a bridge between heritage and conscious innovation.
From the heart of the Dominican Republic To the hands of artisans,
We craft clean, considered experiences
That elevate the everyday into moments of extraordinary meaning.
This is our commitment:
To honor our culture through conscious creation.
To preserve our earth through sustainable sourcing.
To transform ritual into art.
To protect both people and planet through ethical practice.
This is La Boticá Studios—
Where tradition meets innovation,
Where nature meets artistry,
Where luxury finds its conscience,
Where clean formulation meets cultural heritage.
Para nuestra tierra, nuestra cultura, y nuestro futuro.”
About The Founder
Dawn Marie West stands at the intersection of fine art and luxury perfumery, where her background as an Art Director and Fine Art Photographer converges with her Afro-Dominican heritage to create extraordinary sensory experiences. With fifteen years of cultivating her artistic voice in the arts, Dawn brings a uniquely elevated perspective to the world of fragrance.
Her formal training at the Academy of Art University in Photography, followed by her tenure as operations supervisor at The International Center of Photography, honed not just her technical photographic expertise but her ability to see beauty in the subtle interplay of light and shadow—a skill that would later translate into her experimental orchestration of scent notes.
It was her Afro-Dominican heritage that ultimately led Dawn to explore perfumery as a new medium for artistic expression. In 2018, she founded La Boticá Studios, envisioning a fragrance house that would elevate sustainable luxury through the lens of cultural storytelling. As a self-taught perfumer, Dawn approaches each fragrance as a three-dimensional artwork, layering indigenous Dominican ingredients with ethical materials to create compositions that honor both tradition and innovation.
The Subtropics, her debut collection, exemplifies this artistic philosophy. Each fragrance in the collection serves as an olfactory exploration of identity, memory, and place—a sophisticated dialogue between her Dominican roots and contemporary artistry. This unique vision has earned La Boticá Studios recognition from Vogue, Architectural Digest, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, The Zoe Report, and Forbes, with Soho garnering the prestigious 2023 Essence Best in Beauty Award for Best Scent.
Beyond creating sophisticated fragrances, Dawn Marie's work embodies a deeper purpose—one that honors her Dominican roots while pushing the boundaries of sustainable luxury. Through La Boticá's partnership with The Dream Project, she ensures that her success creates educational opportunities for under-represented children in the Dominican Republic, weaving social responsibility into the very fabric of her artistic practice.