Yann Vasnier joins Hermès
Hermès has officially confirmed that perfumer Yann Vasnier is joining the house alongside Christine Nagel, director of creation and olfactory heritage at Hermès Parfums.
Perfume
Extrait de parfum: The history and splendor of a supreme format
A historic format in luxury perfumery, the extrait has long embodied the very essence of fine perfumery. Overshadowed by eaux de toilette and eaux de parfum, it is now making a remarkable comeback.
Saskia Wilson-Brown, Art and Olfaction Awards: “The concept of perfumery we champion is universal.”
Every year since 2014, the Art and Olfaction Awards have celebrated international and artisan perfumery with their recognition of perfumers, independent brand creators and creative directors as well as experimental practitioners with scent.
The Colors launches Fragrance for Impact to reconnect perfumery with local communities
The Colors and the United Nations Population Fund launched Fragrance for Impact. Its principle: to create a link between the perfume industry and the programs run by UNFPA in the territories that produce raw materials.
Origins of fragrance: the land and the people
From Madagascar to Provence, fragrance begins life in the fields. Symrise patiently constructs new supply chains.
Frankincense: the journey of an age-old material
While frankincense has always been part of the changing face of fragrances, it has taken on a new role in the modern perfumery landscape. Its journey reflects both a shift in aesthetics and a change in perspective. An age-old material that has become one of the most relevant voices in contemporary niche perfumery.
Gowé, the scent of Africa
Gowé is a very popular plant in West Africa, valued for its healing properties as well as for being burned like incense. An extract from the tubers, harvested using traditional methods in northern Senegal, was recently developed.
De Laire bases: a 150-year revolution
The Smell Talk at Palais Brongniart during Paris Perfume Week dedicated to the de Laire bases attracted a crowd of over 150 visitors, keen to listen to Symrise perfumers Aliénor Massenet and Pascal Sillon recounting the bases’ long history – and get the chance to smell some of them.
Notes Shanghai: China’s fragrance moment
Everything moves fast in China, and the world of fragrance is no exception. Every six months in Shanghai, the Notes exhibition sees Chinese, Asian, and European brands set up shop to present their creations, welcoming very young houses alongside more established names. Here is a brief overview of this year’s early edition that ran from April 2 to 5, 2026, and is redrawing the market’s contours.
Technical expertise and creativity: applied research at Eurofragance
In an increasingly competitive market, fragrance houses are becoming ever more inventive in combining new technologies with hedonism. The Spanish company opens its doors to introduce us to its dedicated department, aptly named “Innovation To Market.”
Oakmoss: an exemplary case of IFRA’s role
Certain iconic ingredients had to receive use restrictions – by IFRA Standards, government regulations or both – such as oakmoss. What problems do this ingredients poses? How has it been regulated? Matthias Vey, IFRA Vice President of Scientific Affairs, looks at the history of their IFRA Standards.
The Incense Trade Route, by Sterenn Le Maguer-Gillon
What is the history of incense and its trade? That’s the question answered in this article, which traces the history of the “Incense Route” over several centuries, from its earliest beginnings to the inscription of the Dhofar region in the Sultanate of Oman as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Naturals take centre stage with DSM-Firmenich
A year after the release of its book Grasse, de la fleur au parfum published by Gallimard, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty DSM-Firmenich continues to ramp up its approach to naturals. An approach that aims to “use science to harness nature and enhance its riches.” Xavier Brochet, Global Head of Natural Product Innovation, tells us more.
Perfume as a way of life in the Middle East
Frankincense, bakhoor, attars: perfume is deeply rooted in Omani culture, starting with the Latin roots of the word, per fumum, meaning through smoke. The love of fragrances can be found throughout the Middle East, inextricably linked to how people see themselves and others, to their personal values, to the social rituals that unfold in daily life or at special occasions.
Scent, money, and ethics
Several scandals have hit the fragrance industry recently – while the word ethics is repeated over and over by the perfume brands. Maybe one of the keys lay in the fair remuneration of the first links in the chain? What seems obvious is yet far from being the rule. We offer an analysis of this burning issue, published in the last issue of Nez magazine.
Nez x GDR O3 – Smelling of roses
Did you know that a better understanding of the origin of the rose’s fragrance would pave the way for innovations both in cosmetics and pharmacy? This is, among other things, what the CNRS research engineer and member of the GDR O3 Benoît Boachon explained to us.
“The human adventure”, by Jean-Claude Ellena
Our day-to-day lives are being increasingly infiltrated by what is given the catchall name of artificial intelligence. Perfumers are no exception. So how does AI change our relationship with the creative process? Drawing on an historical analysis of his profession, Jean-Claude Ellena offers a review of these new technologies, often championed by the perfumery industry.
Nuts and cereals: the new tasty treats
Walnuts, hazelnuts, puffed rice and toasted granola are some of the all-new gourmand notes making their way into our bottles. Let’s take a look at their botany and history, as well as the latest releases featuring them, with Mane perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui and independent perfumer Anatole Lebreton.
Grasse, home-away-from-home for dsm-firmenich
Although dsm-firmenich is best known for its expertise in synthetic molecules, the composition house has been present in Grasse since 2007. It has gradually put down roots in the town, culminating in 2020 with the acquisition of Villa Botanica, a nature-rich haven open to perfumers and clients the following year. It is now releasing a book that tells the story of this journey and reveals the four-season symphony at the heart of the world’s perfume capital.
Bagatelle international contest: discovering the roses of tomorrow
The Bagatelle international new roses contest has been highlighting and honouring outstandingly beautiful and fragrant roses since 1907. Nez was one of the judges for the 116th edition alongside, among other jury members, Jeanne Bichet, an evaluator at Luzi. Let’s plunge our noses into the petals of tomorrow’s roses.
