NOTES: Exploring Perfumery's Raw Materials

The creation of fragrances has always been shrouded in mystery. Over the years, fantastic stories have been painted of rare ingredients and precious essences, painstakingly gathered by hand and expertly transformed into oils in large copper stills. This romantic view of the perfume industry reflects a world that has long since disappeared and yet perfume houses perpetuate this idyllic worldview leading to an increasing disconnect between customer expectations and reality.

The truth is that the fragrance industry is a massive, complex and global machine. The birth of modern perfumery dates back to the late 1800s, the direct result of the isolation and discovery of aromatic materials that we refer to as synthetics. In fact, nearly every major development in fragrance can be traced back to the discovery of a new aroma molecule. These synthetics provided structure and shape (the bones) while naturals were used to provide depth and life to a scent (the flesh). The importance of these components has been understood by perfumers for over a century with Ernest Beaux, one of the greatest perfumers and the creator of Chanel's Nº 5 and Cuir de Russie, remarking that, "The future of perfumery is in the hands of chemists."

Join us as we peel back the curtain and take a peek behind the scenes. Fumerie Parfumerie is launching a new series called NOTES, in which we examine the raw materials used in perfumery. This will be an ongoing series with a small selection of raw materials featured at each event. All events will be held at Fumerie Parfumerie and presented by either Fumerie staff or a special guest.