Universe of Harth: A Residency in Fragrance
01/16/25
At The Emily, we believe that art is not just something to be seen—it is something to be felt, heard, tasted, and experienced. Art shapes the way we connect with the world, and through our annual programming, we celebrate its power to evoke emotion, inspire dialogue, and push boundaries.
This year, we proudly introduce Synesthesia, an immersive exhibition series that redefines artistic engagement through the five senses. Across three carefully curated exhibitions, we invite our guests to explore innovative works that go beyond the visual—embracing touch, taste, sound, and scent in dynamic and unexpected ways. Our spaces, from Fora and Selva to the Rooftop Cinema Club, will serve as canvases for artists whose work challenges perception and inspires deeper connections.
Kicking off Synesthesia as the first featured artist of 2025, Amanda Christine Harth is a visionary creative whose work explores the intersection of textiles, culture, and scent.
A Chicago native with a background in fashion design from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, Amanda has dedicated her practice to unraveling the historical narratives embedded in garments. Her passion for denim—a material steeped in social, cultural, and economic significance—has driven her to research its ties to Black history and global economies.
Amanda’s work took a pivotal turn in 2021 when she conducted an artist residency at SAIC-Homan Square, exploring denim’s intersectionality with Black culture. More recently, she launched her Denim Lab in partnership with SAIC, reinforcing her commitment to preserving textile traditions while creating new platforms for dialogue.
In addition to her textile work, Amanda is the founder of Universe of Harth, a fragrance house that centers human experience through scent. What began as a pandemic project evolved into a profound exploration of olfactory memory, leading her to create candles and home fragrances that tell deeply personal stories. With no formal background in perfumery, Amanda has embraced scent as an extension of her textile research, using fragrance as a tool for connection and storytelling.
Guests are invited to experience her scent designs firsthand at her pop-up Fragrance Lab, located near the entrance of Fora on our ground floor. A healing space intended to give guests an intimate fragrance experience - private appointments are available until April 30 and offer a customized scent design that you help create and is available to bring home after the experience.
For The Emily Hotel, Amanda has designed a bespoke scent experience that complements her textile pieces. The signature fragrance—warm, woody, and spiced—will be available as a room spray, linen mist, and body scent, offering travelers a sensory journey that feels both familiar and unexpected. Launching early April, this custom scent will be available for purchase within The Emily's Coffee Bar.
In a recent conversation, Amanda shared insights into her creative process, inspirations, and the pieces she has crafted for Synesthesia:
On her journey as an artist: “My background is in menswear, and after college, I worked as a designer before shifting into curating exhibitions and workshops around denim textiles. In 2021, I started researching the history of denim and its ties to Black culture, which opened up a world of storytelling that deeply resonated with me. Fragrance entered my practice during the lockdown—it started as an experiment and turned into a brand. Like textiles, scent is subjective and deeply personal. I love that about it.”
On creativity and inspiration: “I’m most creative after I’ve had time to rest and recharge. Clarity fuels confidence, and that’s when my best ideas come to life. My loved ones inspire me, and their influence is woven into the fragrances I create. Lately, I’ve also been drawn to the power of vulnerability—it’s where the most authentic creativity emerges.”
On her work at The Emily Hotel: “My textile pieces on display—Amanda’s Quilt, Clockwork, and Untitled—are rooted in my research on Black Americans and the evolution of workwear. Each piece tells a story about resilience, labor, and cultural identity. I wanted to complement these visuals with a custom scent that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and exploration—an experience that lingers long after guests leave the space.”
On Chicago’s creative scene: “My favorite places for art and culture shift with the seasons, but I always love spending time in Pilsen and the Stony Island Arts Bank. They offer a unique blend of history, culture, and contemporary creativity.”
Advice for emerging artists: “Be clear on what you want to do—not just what will make you money. Authenticity and passion will guide you further than financial gain alone.”
One to watch: “Keep an eye on Hope Wang. She’s an incredible mixed-media artist whose textile work is truly inspiring.”
A perfect day in Chicago: “It starts with coffee at Monday Coffee in North Lawndale—my partner is the head roaster, so I’m biased, but the coffee is exceptional! From there, I’d spend the afternoon gallery hopping in West Town, stop at In Good Spirits, and grab lunch at Lao Peng You. The evening would end on at Selva sipping a tequila tonic or a tea-based mocktail while taking in the skyline.”
Amanda Christine Harth’s work will be on view throughout The Emily Hotel as part of our Synesthesia series until April 30. Meet us at The Emily Hotel — where art is an experience and you're invited to see, hear, taste, touch, and feel the world in new ways.
