We recently had the chance to connect with Kaliph Konnor and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kaliph , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Lately, I’ve been learning not to take life so seriously. For a while—especially these last three years—it felt like I was constantly waiting for answers that never seemed to come fast enough. I was searching, moving, overthinking. But once I finally slowed down and sat with myself, in isolation, I started hearing that quiet inner voice again. It reminded me to look back at things I may have overlooked.
That’s kind of been the pattern of my life recently—realizing the things I needed were either already within reach or just needed a shift in perspective.
I’ve also been spending more time working on my fragrance compositions. Trying new blends, adjusting ratios, pushing myself creatively. At the same time, I’ve been dealing with old manufacturers not getting back to me, which has been frustrating. For years I was trying to find the right box manufacturer, only to finally discover one almost right in my backyard. Same with painted bottles—I spent so long looking far and wide, and they were closer than I thought the whole time.
It’s wild how life works like that. Sometimes what you need shows up once you stop forcing things. And sometimes, it’s been there all along—you just had to slow down enough to see it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kaliph Konnor, and I’m the founder of House of Kaliph—a niche fragrance brand with a futurist lens. I create scents using commercial-grade ingredients sourced from around the world, blending global materials with personal storytelling and long-term vision.
I’m also a U.S. Army veteran, having served four years. After leaving the military, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful. To strengthen the foundation of my business, I decided to go back to school during the AI boom and am currently working toward a degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics. The knowledge I’ve been gaining is helping me approach my brand more strategically and sustainably.
Right now, I’m focused on launching my latest fragrance: XVIII Brèche eau de parfum. It represents a “timeline jump” for House of Kaliph—a creative and brand evolution that reflects everything I’ve been working through behind the scenes. I recently did a full rebrand to align with where I’m truly headed.
To introduce this shift, I’m producing a three-part animated video series. In the first video, I’ll make a brief appearance showing the frustration of creative delays, followed by a symbolic jump to a new timeline. The second video will double as the fragrance ad for XVIII Brèche, and the third will revisit and remaster my very first fragrance: XXIV Middle Gap Road—a scent inspired by a real street, full of personal meaning. The series brings everything full circle and sets the tone for where the brand is going next.
It’s been a slow build, but a meaningful one. I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Poland, 2022. That short stretch of time changed everything for me.
Before then, I thought I understood what pressure felt like—but nothing had ever tested me the way that did. It was one of the darkest chapters of my life. I reached a depth of pain I didn’t know existed, and it took me almost three years just to feel like myself again—mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
That period showed me without a doubt that God is real. When everything else was stripped away, when I had nothing to lean on but hope—that’s when I realized it was enough.
I learned a lot in that time. About people. About silence. About who sticks to the rules and who’s willing to bend them for you when you need it most. I was isolated—ordering UberEats for 66 days straight because I couldn’t bring myself to leave where I was. I’d lay there, staring at the ceiling, just imagining what I wanted my new life to feel like.
And even though that version of me was at his lowest, something started to shift. That stillness forced me to confront everything. And in doing that, I built something new.
I wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone—but I can say now, with a full heart, it made me stronger than I’ve ever been.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is the price you pay to really live. Not just exist—but actually live.
I didn’t always see it that way. Like most people, I used to think pain meant something was wrong. But over time, I realized it’s part of the process. Growth doesn’t come without some level of discomfort.
That’s when I came up with something I call P.A.P.E.
Patience. Action. Participation. Evaluation.
It’s a simple way I started breaking life down for myself.
Patience reminds me that things take time.
Action keeps me from staying stuck.
Participation pushes me to be present, not just watch from the sidelines.
Evaluation helps me learn from what just happened—win or lose.
Life is strange. You can feel like nothing’s working for weeks, months—even years. Then suddenly, everything changes. I’ve seen it happen after long stretches of silence or struggle. One moment, one decision, one opportunity—and everything looks different.
So now, when I’m going through something, I don’t panic like I used to. I try to pay attention. I try to learn. Because even the painful stuff is shaping me.
Suffering’s not the end of the story—it’s just part of the cost of becoming someone real.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
If House of Kaliph grows the way I see it in my head, my next move won’t be another fragrance—it’ll be something on four wheels.
I’d restore a 1969 Corvette Stingray, give it a futurist twist, and debut it at SEMA under the House of Kaliph name. I’d call it the Vision Ray.
Think LS9 swap, wide fenders, an L88 hood, and a sleek, modern DeTomaso-inspired interior—refined, sharp, and aggressive. It wouldn’t just be a car; it’d be a statement. A blend of past and future, just like my brand.
Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m too ahead of my time. But maybe that’s the point—I’m here to build what I wish already existed.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What false labels are you still carrying?
Being a chapter—that’s something I’ll always carry. It’s a label they gave me when I separated from the military with a General under Honorable Conditions. Cool. But here’s the difference: I’m a successful chapter. And soon enough, I’ll be a rich one too.
They can keep the label. I’ll keep building the legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.houseofkaliph.com
- Instagram: @kaliphkonnor
