What's in Your Bag? Heather Sielaff –Timeless Leather Designs, Crafted in Japan

We're back in Portland, Oregon, catching up with perfumer Heather Sielaff of OLO Fragrance, which she runs with her husband, Jonathan. Inspired by the moments of daily life and hand-blended on site, OLO's fragrances are like works of art that invite us to get wonderfully lost in a sensory experience.

What had originally started as a hobby during her time in the wellness field quickly blossomed into something bigger, leading Heather to officially launch OLO in 2009. Since then, OLO’s captivating scents
have enchanted fans far and wide. We caught up with Heather in OLO’s bright and inviting shop to see what
the chic perfumer keeps in her Black Nume Oval Shoulder.

A Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black with a wide strap sits on a light wooden table. To the left of the bag, there's a smartphone with a dark screen, a small red and white wallet, and a set of keys with various attachments.

Close up a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black.

Heather Sielaff with short, light hair wears a grey blazer, white t-shirt, and jeans, holding a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black on her lap while sitting amongst green plants.

Hey Heather! Thanks for having us in your beautiful store—it’s so nice to see you again, and chat about
your Tsuchiya Bag!

First off: Is the Black Nume Oval Shoulder your work bag, or everyday bag? When do you use your bag?

It’s more of a work or evening bag for me. I tend to use it when I'm meeting with a client, or know I have a social engagement after work. I always take it with me when I travel because it’s very versatile, working well with both a casual or more dressed up outfit.

How does this bag relate to your personality or work?

I appreciate simple elegance with attention to detail—I enjoy understated but well-crafted items. The Nume Oval Shoulder is all those things!

Heather Sielaff with light, shoulder-length hair wears a grey blazer and jeans, looking down and smiling as she opens a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black with a long strap, surrounded by green plants.

Heather Sielaff in a grey blazer and light top holds a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black with both hands.

What’s in your bag? Can we have a peek?

I usually have my sunglasses, phone, wallet, pen and keys, no matter what. My phone is very old but I won't get a new one until this one stops working, lol! I have a Dries Van Noten refillable lipstick. The case is pretty and I can change the color of lipstick whenever I want to.

A flat lay on a light wooden table shows various personal items including a smartphone, sunglasses, keys, a tissue packet, tea bags, a wallet, two grey cat stickers, candies, and a pen.

I also always have Sasawashi all-purpose Kumazasa Balm. I use it when it's cold and my hands or lips get a little dry. I was traveling recently so I brought tissues and tea just in case.

A collection of everyday items is laid out on a light wooden surface, including black sunglasses, keys with a braided loop, a small perfume bottle, a smartphone, a red wallet, a tissue packet, tea bags, a cat sticker, and a pen.

Heather Sielaff in a grey blazer holds a small silver tin with both hands above a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black, with their face partially visible in the background.

Then I have extra stickers of one of our cats, Baby Rita. She has more friends than I do! We had stickers made so those that want may see her any time. I bought cat toys on my way home from work so there was one left in the bag. I don't normally carry cat toys around with me unless I know I'll be visiting a friend with a cat. A few pieces of bergamot candy. And an OLO fragrance, of course!

Heather Sielaff with short, grey hair holds a set of keys with a braided loop above a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black, with green plants in the background.

A hand holds up a small clear bottle labeled

If someone found your bag and looked inside, what impression would they get?

They would probably be confused as to why someone has such a quality bag with such an old phone! And maybe wonder about the cat stickers and toys. I assume they would think the bag belongs to a cat lady who likes nice things. A fair assumption.

Heather Sielaff with short, light hair in a grey blazer and t-shirt smiles as she sits at a round wooden table, holding a small white object and looking into Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black, surrounded by various potted plants

What’s the most important item you carry in your bag?

Keys and phone. I can't do anything without them.

What’s the strangest item you’ve carried in your bag?

Definitely the cat stickers of my own cat. Who does that?

Heather Sielaff with short, light grey hair, wearing a grey blazer, white t-shirt, and jeans, sits holding a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Black Nume Oval Shoulder in Black, looking at the camera. Green leaves are in the background.

Thank you Heather, for sharing your bag contents with us! We love your wondrous scents, and the way you style your Tsuchiya bags.

Discover more about Heather and OLO Fragrance below.

OLO Fragrance
@olofragrance / HP