Dan's Papers - August 8, 2008

Lanka DuPont, of Über House Studio in Sag Harbor, wants to spray you. As the number one leader in pheromone design, her new line, HiipussV, is making Hamptonites crazy for one another.

Über House, which means "Super World," is a place where conceptual art reigns. Lanka collaborates with other artists to create concepts that eventually turn into shows, which she calls "chapters." And when all is said and done, the chapters will be turned into a book - a very avant-garde presentation of the studio's work over time. Currently, the shows "Phoenix" and "Pheromones" are on display. Renowned photographer Geir Magnuson shot the photographs and Lanka created the concept design and choreography.

Named after the hippocampus, the part of the brain that stimulates olfactory sensibilities, inhibitions, memory and space, the HiipussV line was designed with the idea of natural, personal enhancement. Casually referred to as "chemistry," we've known for a very long time that there's something special, something indescribable that attracts two human beings to each other. Pheromones are social-environmental, chemical stimuli (odorless odors), produced by one individual and detected by another individual of the same species. Pheromones have been found to be the naturally occurring trigger for mating responses in animals, and only recently have they been found to have a profound effect on the ways humans behave. Many have argued that pheromones are the sixth sense - because they are odorless (just like HiipussV), and the fact that studies showed that people who used the naturally secreted juices had increased levels of confidence, wellbeing and a greater sense of "being in control." In effect, the subjects enhanced their basic natural attraction. Studies have taken place at many renowned institutions of higher education such as Harvard, Stanford, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Lanka has been working with one of the leading American pheromone research design companies to create her line, which is derived from chemical hormones that we secrete naturally (Androstenol and Androsterone).

But it's been Lanka's mission to stray from the word "pheromone," which is typically linked with lust, and focus instead on the lifestyle enhancement that it offers. Lanka explained, "It's not a fragrance - it's a brain enhancer. Users have to give it at least a week so they can learn how to use it and how to use it well." Looking to attract men? Wear the Lock-She. Looking to attract women? Wear the Lock-He. And it works for any sexual preference, as well. Lanka added, "The reaction occurs within seven seconds. It gives users that secret edge. You are in total control." For first-time users, it's important to be sure to put it on parts of the body that emit heat such as the nape of the neck, the wrist and chest. Effects last up to eight hours.

So far, approximately 75 percent of Lanka's clientele has been single women. Ages range from late 20s to early 60s. Lanka believes that it's mostly women so far because of the benefits it creates - it helps to control the incredible heat that women produce pre- and post-menstruation.

Lanka has been having "pheromone parties" across the East End and spraying people at such places as The American Hotel, Sunset Beach, Bobby Van's, The Lodge, Sen Spice, Bridgehampton Polo and The Parrish Art Museum. "People have been walking out of restaurants holding hands. And you know it's working when things get very quiet because people are happy, and smiling and whispering into one another's ears." But it's not just East Enders who will be benefiting from all this social attraction, because Lanka is spreading this internationally with sales in Russia, Japan and the European Union.

"I am so happy. We are finally taking the concept of Über House and letting it plant its root." Lanka has always been fascinated with the brain and art, and how the two worlds collide and interact. She believes that HiipussV allows wearers to experience the beauty of art, "to really feel it and create meaning."

Soon Lanka will be selling another part of her HiipussV collection, called "Boardwalk." For all those tough business meetings and work-related conversations about raises or days off, Boardwalk is designed to give wearers that trust and attention needed to seal the deal, time and time again.

And I know it works; I put some on before I wrote this article. Don't you love it?

Über House Studio is located on 80 Main Street in Sag Harbor. Call 631-725-0909, or visit www.uberhouse.us.