Octavia Morgan is redefining the fragrance industry as the founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, the first Black woman-owned prestige fragrance brand at Ulta Beauty.
A registered nurse turned beauty entrepreneur, Morgan’s journey began with a passion for clean beauty and a mission to create fragrances free from common irritants.
Inspired by childhood memories of her grandmother’s perfume rituals, she saw scent as more than a luxury—it was identity, empowerment, and self-expression.
Breaking into the fragrance world wasn’t easy. The industry has long been dominated by legacy European houses, and Morgan faced resistance at every turn. But in 2023, Ulta’s MUSE Accelerator program provided the breakthrough she needed, solidifying her brand as a game-changer in the beauty space.
Her collection features four signature gender-inclusive scents—Midnight Orchard, Legendary, Dark Rose, and L’affaire—crafted to celebrate individuality beyond traditional fragrance norms.
“When someone wears an OCTAVIA MORGAN fragrance, I want them to feel seen, empowered, and effortlessly themselves,” Morgan tells ESSENCE.
With her brand now making waves, Morgan isn’t just creating perfumes—she’s breaking barriers, championing inclusivity, and setting the stage for the next generation of Black beauty entrepreneurs.
