Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, a perfumer originally from Montreal, has discovered remarkable prosperity and purpose in her adopted home of Bermuda. At 56 years old, she owns and operates Lili Bermuda Perfumery in the historic town of St. George, where she creates scents that capture the essence of the island's unique atmosphere and experiences.
A Dual Role: Perfumer and Diplomat
Beyond her fragrance business, Ramsay-Brackstone serves as the Honorary Consul of Canada in Bermuda, a position appointed by Governor General Julie Payette in 2019. In this capacity, she assists approximately 3,000 Canadian residents and visitors on the island, handling everything from lost passport emergencies to other challenges faced by her fellow citizens, even those potentially caught in the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.
From Finance to Fragrance
The perfumer's journey to Bermuda began in the 1990s when she met her Bermudian husband, Kirby Brackstone, while both worked in Montreal's investment banking sector. After relocating from Toronto to Bermuda in 2003 with their two young children, Ramsay-Brackstone found herself at a career crossroads when she became pregnant with her youngest son, William.
"I loved perfume immensely, intensely, with all my heart," Ramsay-Brackstone recalls of her lifelong passion, which began during regular visits to the Eaton's Montreal fragrance counter as a preteen. Her first fragrance bottle was Paco Rabanne Calandre, sparking what would become a professional obsession.
Perfect Timing for a Passion Project
In 2004, the historic Bermuda Perfumery—founded in 1928 and one of the world's oldest continuously operating independent perfume makers—came up for sale. Despite her parents' concerns about the business risk, Ramsay-Brackstone recognized the opportunity as perfectly aligned with her passions and background.
"Most people come to perfumery through chemistry, pharmacy, engineering. I came through business," she explains, noting that her previous work with cosmetics giant L'Oréal gave her valuable insight into the commercial aspects of the fragrance industry.
Building a Brand and a Life
After purchasing the business with her husband, they renamed it Lili Bermuda, and Ramsay-Brackstone studied under master perfumer David Bothello to refine her craft. The business flourished until tragedy struck in 2012 when her husband died suddenly of a heart attack at age 43.
Despite friends suggesting she return to Canada, Ramsay-Brackstone remained committed to her Bermudian life. "I said, no, this is my home. This is where I make a living. I have a house. This is what my children know. We love it here. The lifestyle of Bermuda is exquisite and I'm part of it," she states firmly.
Bermuda as Creative Inspiration
The island nation—a 55-square-kilometer, fish hook-shaped archipelago of seven main islands in the mid-Atlantic—provides endless inspiration for the perfumer. "The inspiration is endless. Bermuda is a very contemplative place in every way; your senses are constantly seduced," she observes of the territory famous for its flowers, pale-pink beaches, and turquoise waters.
Her perfumery operates from Stewart Hall, a former merchant's home dating to 1707 in St. George. This historic town, founded in 1612 as Bermuda's original capital, represents the earliest English colonial settlement in the New World and holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Community and Continuity
Today, Ramsay-Brackstone has built deep community connections through her church and business relationships. She finds the seaside climate soothing, appreciating even the winter winds for their beauty. "I think there's a little bit of my soul in each one of those fragrances," she reflects on her creations, which continue to evolve alongside her life on the island.
Her story exemplifies how personal passion, professional opportunity, and geographic serendipity can combine to create a uniquely fulfilling life path—one that bridges her Canadian roots with her Bermudian present through the universal language of scent.
