Wadi Dawkah
The hospitality of Oman is felt upon arrival at Muscat airport with a subtle, diffused scent of frankincense as Omani people know that if they want to create a tranquil atmosphere, they can turn to olibanum.
Podcasts by Nez
What framework can we offer niche brands to enable them to compose with the widest possible palette of ingredients, in complete safety and with respect for the environment? In this speech recorded in March 2024 in Milan at the 14th edition of Esxence, the meeting place for confidential perfumery professionals, International Fragrance Association (IFRA) President Martina Bianchini shares her vision of the industry. For her, “if perfumery is an art, science and standards must allow creators to express themselves as freely as possible”.
History
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.
Podcasts by Nez
Dominique Roques discusses with archaeologist Sterren Le Maguer-Gillon about how these places all bear witness to an era when the Omani region was a strategic trading crossroads on the Incense Trade Route.
Perfume
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.
Art
On 6 June 2024, the 5th Experimental Scent Summit, organised by the Los Angeles-based Institute for Art and Olfaction, took place in Lisbon. A day teeming with encounters between researchers, artists and perfumers from all over the world who shared research and ideas about olfactory culture.
Olfactory Culture
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.
Olfactory Culture
Monique Rémy was a pioneer and an iconoclast. She founded LMR in 1983, driven by her passion for the natural world. On the occasion of the company’s 40th anniversary, all those who crossed her path pay homage to her unique impact on the fragrance industry in the book Art of Natural. Here is its introduction.
Podcasts by Nez
Fragrance is important in our everyday life, but it has also played an essential role in global history, resonating with cultures and societies worldwide.
Art
To celebrate the European Night of Museums this saturday, May the 18th, and to invite you to smell artworks, we invite you to take a closer nose at Rédemption, thanks to this article from Carole Couturier and Constance Deroubaix published in Nez#14 – Music & Perfume.
Olfactory Culture
The partnership between Amouage and Oman, which aims to relaunch the local incense industry, takes place in the historical and geopolitical context of the sultanate. The brand’s intention is to contribute to the social and economic development of the country, while promoting Omani culture.
Non classifié(e)
Sayyid Khalid, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amouage introduces Wadi Dawkah, the land of Frankincense, an Oman-based UNESCO protected site since 2000.
Interviews
In 2022, Amouage signed a partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to relaunch the frankincense industry in the sultanate. This initiative follows on from the inscription of the Land of Frankincense on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Renaud Salmon, Chief Creative Officer of the Omani fragrance house, takes up the story.
Interviews
After 30 years of experience in sourcing natural products, Dominique Roques has been given a three-year mission by Amouage. He is tasked with plotting the renaissance of the frankincense industry in the Wadi Dawkah natural park in the Sultanate of Oman, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
News
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.
News
We can smell stress, but can we sniff out happiness? This was the question posed by Camille Ferdenzi, CNRS research associate and member of the GDR O3, and her team. Here are the results, digested by Nez.
News
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.
News
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.
Olfactory Culture
When a lover of nature teams up with perfumers who know how to magnify it, creative ideas for honoring woods blossom. In this way, Fabrice Croisé has enabled an extraordinary forest of fragrances to grow at IFF.
Interviews
Eugénie Briot, a specialist in the history of perfumery in the C19th, met with writer Jean-Luc Komada to discuss the olfactory universe of the actress, who died 100 years ago. On this occasion, we invite you to rediscover an article from Nez, The Olfactory Magazine #04 – Art and Perfume.
