The King of Roses: Eric Buterbaugh Revisited
Eric Buterbaugh photographed by Kourtney Kyung Smith/Courtesy of Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles.
It’s a new day for Eric Buterbaugh, the most adored and celebrated florist in town, regardless, which town it may be. Then having added perfume and candle maker to his garden of talent, wit, charm and humor, there’s no stopping this man of many talents. In working with Puig, Eric has retouched his line of scents and rebranded from EB Florals to simply Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles, because the city of angels is a place he resides and cherish.
Eric is first to admit that he is an accidental florist. Having a sheer flair for making floral arrangements, an innate talent he didn't take very seriously came knocking and knocking and knocking. "Who's there? Your career opportunity!" It became crystal clear that it was an evident occupation he couldn't ignore. Then, another opportunity arose for Eric foraying into making fragrances and candles. It may appear as the natural step for him, and indeed it was, but it also has been a boyhood dream of his, and lucky for us, his scents are gloriously divine and utterly effervescent just like the man himself. Herewith, a Q&A with Eric Buterbaugh for delightful reading pleasure.
SunHee Grinnell: Where did you grow up?
Eric Buterbaugh: I grew in Oklahoma .. Yee-Haw!
SG: Did you have any siblings?
EB: I have one younger sister...not so close.
SG: Which year was your most memorable birthday growing up?
EB: My most memorable birthday was my 16th. I got my first car, which was an electric blue Firebird with a white leather interior. In Oklahoma, a car gave you freedom.
SG: What was your first love?
EB: My first love was clothes, clothes, and more clothes. What I liked was hard to find in Oklahoma, so racing to Dallas, and Neiman Marcus was a frequent journey. I was into Versace, Armani, Valentino, and Gaultier.
SG: What was your first job?
EB: My first job was in my grandfather's land title company. Not really my jam...it was full nepotism.
SG: When did you fall in love with flowers?
EB: I always loved flowers but fell in love when it became my career.
SG: When did you realize that would be your occupation?
EB: I had lived in London and ran Gianni Versace's UK Operations, but I didn't really like the fashion business. It was too bitchy for me, so I moved to LA to figure out what to do when I grew up… I did the flowers for a friend's party for fun. The day after, all the women called to see who did the flowers, and they were so chic, like Paris or London!
SG: How did you get your start?
EB: After doing a party, people kept calling and trying to do stuff, and I kept saying NO, I don't do flowers. At some point, I caved and did a couple of things, and each time more people called. So it sort of happened to me. Finally, a light bulb went off, and what it was meant to do found me. When I decided to do flowers, it was so easy. I knew everyone on the planet for years...I knew every movie star, every music star, every studio head, all the social people. So it went quickly.
SG: Which city did you move to realize your dream?
EB: HOLLYWOOD BABY!
SG: When was your "I have arrived" moment?
EB: After six months of having a small design studio in West Hollywood, the Four Seasons Hotel called and asked me to move my shop into their property. It was there for 20 yrs…I think that was the moment I have arrived.
SG: You chose Los Angeles to be your hometown. When did you move there, and what was the allure?
EB: I love living in LA. The weather is amazing, and because of "Hollywood," there is always something going on. I moved here in 1995.
SG: Tell us about your BFF's, Madonna, Demi (Moore), Naomi (Campbell), and Ashley (Longshore), when and how did they meet you?
EB: The thing is everyone makes a big deal out of my glitzy girlfriends, but LA is a small town, and when you are in that crew, you all know each other. I met Naomi when she was 16, and I was running Versace. We've been friends ever since. Actually, she is staying at my house at the moment and usually stays with me when she is in LA. We cook for each other, and it feels very family-like, my daughter. She calls me mama. Demi and I met about 16 years ago and have been close since the day we locked eyes on each other. She really is my straight wife, I love her so much. I love people, and I make friends easily, so I have accumulated the most fabulous crew around the world! I make friends, my family, so it is a big part of my life.
SG: You are known to be brilliantly funny, naughty, and unapologetic. Were you always that way even as a child?
EB: Yes, I was always sassy, and I love fun. As a child, I could get away with anything...I love to LAUGH.
SG: You are indeed one of the most beloved and top of the top floral designers in the world. Can you say it's an innate quality that you were simply born with, or did you have to learn along the way?
EB: I always had an eye for design and color, and I applied it to my flower design, the rest I learned along the way. The other thing is I am intuitive about people's taste and style, so it was easy to design for clients and win. Also, again, the people skills didn't hurt. Everyone likes to laugh.
SG: Please tell us your favorite spots in LA and why?
EB: I am a foodie, so it's a lot about restaurants. I love EBAldi, I love Mr. Chow, and I like to hang out at Chateau Marmont. Also, being able to run down to Malibu for the day is a plus to living here.
SG: Was it a natural evolution for you to make fragrances and candles? How did it first come about?
EB: The fragrances and candles were a dream of mine from when I was very young. As a kid, I had a counter full of perfumes, men's women's; it didn't matter. I only take baths, so scented baths were a daily ritual for me. And candles burning at all times.
When I started the flowers, I knew I could get famous doing that, and with the fame, I would be in the position to launch the perfumes, and that is just what happened.
SG: How are you inspired to create a particular scent? Is it from a fleeting moment that catches you by surprise? Or does it stem from a specific flower?
EB: I start with a flower that I like the smell of but also like visually, then I work with the master noses from there. I love the process.
SG: Which is your favorite child within your fragrance collection at the moment, and why?
EB: At the moment, I am obsessed with my "Fragile Violet" fragrance. It was created with Alberto Morillas, and it is very complex and moves to magical places.
SG: Which is your favorite child within your candle collection at the moment, and why?
EB: I love all my candles, but I seem to be obsessive with the Jasmine candle.
Eric Buterbaugh photographed by Kourtney Kyung Smith/Courtesy of Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles.
And to pluck some questionnaire from Proust:
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sun and Sea . Especially in Greece
2. What is your greatest fear?
Not being the very best
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Tardiness
5. What is your current state of mind?
Focused (in work AND personal)
6. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Abstinence
7. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Fabulous
8. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Friends are the Love of my Life
9. When and where were you happiest?
The first 3 yrs in London were beyond
10. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A bit taller and maybe some hair ... hahaha
11. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I would go back as my dog, "Lucius Foxy." He is wonderful and so loved.
12. What is your most treasured possession?
My new Gucci Platform Boots
13. What is your most marked characteristic?
Quick Wit
14. What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty
15. Who is your hero of fiction?
Bruce Wayne / Batman
16. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Oscar Wilde
17. What is it that you most dislike?
Foul smells like an airplane bathroom
18. What is your greatest regret?
Having had my heart broken quite young, I kept it completely closed until about 5 years ago.
19. How would you like to die?
Quickly and Quietly
20. What is your motto?
Next! I always love moving forward.
SG: Lastly, who is Eric Buterbaugh?
EB: I hope a loving, caring friend.
And here is Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles's latest scent collection, so hurry up and go shopping!
Perfume collection:
Fabulous Magnolia: Based on the ancient and luxurious flower, with lighter notes of citrus and patchouli rounding out the floral notes.
Maiden Orange Blossom: A vibrant and sparkling, transporting you to the shores of the Mediterranean.
Oud Saffron Flower: A rich, sensual and addictive with notes of nutmeg, cedarwood, and vanilla.
Pricing: $210 - $260 for 100mL; $395 - $595 for 250mLSaks Fifth Avenue – online and in-store
Candle collection:
Celestial Jasmine: A sensual aroma of warmth with the bold scent of jasmine. The idea for a sunny afternoon. Delicate, intriguing and powerful.
Sultry Rose: A warm blend of Eric’s signature rose scent. Ideal for romantic evenings. Energetic, distinct and classic.
Oud Saffron Flower: An oud and saffron duet. Ideal for an opulent and sophisticated atmosphere. Luxurious, contrasted and addictive.
Oud Orange Flower: A scent that opens with floral and bergamot notes, meets with patchouli and closes with vanilla. Ideal for warm and dazzling events. Complex, fascinating and irresistible.
All available at now at Saks Fifth Avenue: Saks Fifth Avenue – online and in-store