History

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.

Perfume

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.

Art

5th Experimental Scent Summit: Olfactory culture under the Lisbon sky

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

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.

Olfactory Culture

Laboratoire Monique Rémy: In the beginning, there was a woman

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.

Art

Aromas and artwork: Redemption, by Julius Stewart

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

Oman, strategically positioned in the Gulf

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.

News

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.

News

“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.

News

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.

Olfactory Culture

IFF and Scents of Wood celebrate the beauty of trees

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

Perfumers: A team spirit

Although perfumers at IFF have long been accustomed to working together, the company went a step further by making the collaborative approach official in the early 21st century. An approach that has since been adopted by all the composition houses. Behind the scenes of a revolution.

With the support of our principal partners

IFRA