What’s to be done with Oriental fragrances? For a few months now, the perfume world has been reflecting and taking a stand on the use of the adjective “Oriental,” perceived as potentially offensive to certain populations. It is therefore time to take stock of what we smell and what we dream through this disputed term, first by studying its birth and its olfactory meaning, then by digging into its anchoring in a colonial context.
In recent months, the perfume world has taken a stand on the use of the adjective “Oriental.” After discussing the difficulties of olfactory classification in Part 1, let’s study the influence of 19th-century colonial aesthetics on the industry’s imagination.
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For the past few months, the perfume world has been taking a stand on the use of the adjective “Oriental,” which is perceived as potentially offensive to certain populations. Let's look at the olfactory issues behind this family of perfumes.
You must be a Membre member to access this content.
