shy mimosa Maria Kabakova-Upfold came to the UK from Bulgaria as a lawyer; today, she owns and runs Shy Mimosa, a boutique perfumery. Prepare to enter the most beautifully fragranced shop in Clifton . . .
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e’re always intrigued by people who’ve changed careers mid-stream. By trade, Maria Kabakova-Upfold is a lawyer, having worked as a corporate legal consultant in Bristol firms for over 12 years. “It was difficult to go back to the corporate world after my daughter was born, though I did it for a short while,” she says. “I admire women so much who do it, because it’s tough. “I always had an interest and passion for scent, and a few years ago I discovered the world of niche and rare perfumes. It blew me away and completely change my perspective of perfumery. “I explored specialist perfumeries in London and across Europe when travelling, and I thought that in Bristol – being an open-minded, culturally diverse and artistic mecca – having a specialist perfumery would complement the city. So, I researched, contacted people and with the support of my husband, I took on the best and biggest career-changing decision, and the business was established.” 54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
So where does the intriguing, feminine name Shy Mimosa come from? “In Bulgaria we love using diminutives, and back home everyone calls me Mimi or Mimosa. When I was very little, I was impossibly timid, and close family and friends called me ‘Shy Mimosa’. When creating the branding and company name, I decided on something that I would connect with and has meaning to me. “The aim,” she continues, “is to make people feel comfortable and unintimidated by the products. I will engage in a conversation, not necessarily perfume-related, to enable me to understand their lifestyle or personality. “Then they will be guided through the collection, and encouraged to explore something different, something that they wouldn’t usually go for. And by the process of elimination, the choices will be narrowed down, and finally tested on the skin. I always welcome it when people say that they hate a particular scent, which is a great way to understand their taste.” So, do you think that a perfume should match someone’s personality? “I believe that you must choose something you love, something that makes you happy. That way, it will become part of your personality. “
Maria is: “happily married to a wonderful Brit” who supported the launch of Shy Mimosa. Her range of scents, created by artisan perfumers, is a world away from the big brands sold in department stores. “My relationship with the perfumers is very important; I need to understand their story,” she says