It's Just Perfume - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

15. Keeping the Beat - A Conversation With Zernell Gillie Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Zernell Gillie has made his name as an international DJ and founder of a much-loved perfume brand inspired by musical genres. In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve talks with Zernell about his his journey from early days at high school sock-hops to his sets at Berghain, the legendary Berlin club. Music, fashion and scent have always coexisted in the club scene and have inspired Zernell for decades. Find out which fragrances have meant the most to him and how they have influenced his olfactive interpretations of his favorite music.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Polo by Ralph Lauren

- Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene

- Halston Z14 by Halston

- Egoiste by Chanel

- Ivory Route by Xerjoff

- Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani

- Dior Homme Intense by Dior

- Pi by Givenchy

- Sweetie Aoud by Roja Parfums

- Geschopf by PMP

- R & B by Zernell Gillie

- Jazz by Zernell Gillie

- Hip-Hop by Zernell Gillie

- Coco by Chanel

- Stetson by Coty

- Tango by Masque Milano

- Sweet Botswana Mystery by Modern Mark

- Hypnotising Fire by The Harmonist

More information on Zernell Gillie can be found on zernellgillie.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14. Back to School: Steve and Dana's Fragrances for New Chapters Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana talk about their Back to School fragrances. Whether or not you're in school, this time of year is full of moments to reset and begin a new cycle - scent can certainly help mark this renewal. As the long days of summer start to grow shorter, sometimes the smell of spices, woods and amber can provide all the coziness you need in a new season.

Fragrances discussed:

The Jungle Book by Mischief Academy

La Danza Delle Libellule Exceptional Edition by Nobile 1942

Matcha Ice Cream by Theodoros Kalotinis

Matchbox Romance by Binaurale

Dead Air by Oddity

Psychedelique by Jovoy

Empire des Indes by Oriza Legrand

Jazz by Zernell Gillie

Jardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade

Love Is Coming by The Different Company

Nightchild by Epichron

All That Matters by Anamor

Breathe by Akro

Eau Sacree by Heeley

Crush Balls by D.S. & Durga

Fire at Will by Jovoy

Orgasmo by Hilde Soliani

Tales of Amber by Goldfield and Banks

Hosted by Steven Gontarski with Dana Buchanan

Produced by Steven Gontarski, Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13: A Fashion Legend: A Conversation with Carine Roitfeld Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Few people deserve the status of Fashion Legend as much as Carine Roitfeld. As the editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue for a decade, through her collaborations with Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld and through her current publication, CR Fashion Book, she has indelibly shaped the direction of style and high fashion.

In a conversation with Steve, Carine Roitfeld talks about the various titles she's adopted over the years from 'Combattante' during the student strikes of Paris 1968 to 'Magic Grandma' of today. She talks about the decision to create a fragrance brand as soon as she left Paris Vogue and her discussions with master perfumes like Dominique Ropion and Aurelien Guichard to create scent portraits of herself and several loves of her life.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Carine by Carine Roitfeld

- Eau Vive by Carven

- Fracas by Robert Piguet

- Opium Pour Homme by YSL

- Fleurs d'Oranger by Serge Lutens

- L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain

- Kar-Wai by Carine Roitfeld

- Sebastien by Carine Roitfeld

- Vladimir by Carine Roitfeld

- George by Carine Roitfeld

- Black Orchid by Tom Ford

- Forgive Me by Carine Roitfeld

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12: The Olfactory Landscape of Australia: A Conversation with Dimitri Weber, Founder of Goldfield & Banks Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Dimitri Weber has an extensive background in perfume, having worked for luxury brands such as YSL and Shiseido for decades in Antwerp, Belgium. After changing course and moving to Australia, he was surprised by the lack of perfume brands in his new country - a country spoiled by its high quality raw materials already used by European and American brands. Dimitri leaned into his experience and knowledge of European perfumery to honor the natural wealth and beauty of Australia, and Goldfield and Banks was born.

The brand rose to fame almost overnight because of online attention, so Dimitri and Steve discuss the current role of social media in the perfume business and how it can help and harm. They look into the future and speculate what's next in this relationship between TikTok and scent.

Perfumes discussed in this episode:

Barynia by Helena Rubinstein

Nina by Nina Ricci

Diorissimo by Dior

Anais Anais by Cacharel

Paris by YSL

Jacomo di Jacomo

Cacharel Pour Homme by Cacharel

Fahrenheit by Dior

Pacific Rock Moss by Goldfield and Banks

Ingenious Ginger by Goldfied and Banks

Purple Suede by Goldfield and Banks

Sunset Hour by Goldfield and Banks

Pacific Rock Flower by Goldfield and Banks

Tales of Amber by Goldfield and Banks

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11. Hall of Fame Pt. 3: Emi's All-Time Favorite Fragrances Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

While smelling through some of her forever favorite fragrances, Steve chats with Luckyscent’s Emi about their shared love of Gap Dream, patchouli, “capital P perfumes”, “pretty” perfumes, and more. Having known each other for a few years already, Steve had predicted some of Emi’s favorites, but was surprised by a few of them, as well.

Fragrances mentioned:

Classique from Jean Paul Gaultier

Safanad from Parfums de Marly

Le Feu d'Issey from Issey Miyake

Drakkar Noir from Guy Laroche

Dream from Gap

Music from Harajuku Lovers

Cucumber Melong from Bath and Body Works

Molecule 01 from Escentric Molecules

Fat Electrician from Etat Libre d'Orange

You Or Someone Like You from Etat Libre d'Orange

Noel Au Balcon from Etat Libre d'Orange

Molecule 01 + Patchouli from Escentric Molecules

Tzora from Anat Fritz

For Her from Narciso Rodriguez

Un Bel Amour d'Ete from Parfum d'Empire

Blanche Bete from Liquides Imaginaires

Ganymede from Marc-Antoine Barrois

Korrigan from Lubin

Reflet Sur L'Okavango from Ella K

Gris Dior Esprit from Dior

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10. The Alchemy of Perfume: In Conversation with Sergio Momo, Founder of Xerjoff Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Steve and Sergio discuss the latter’s love of the ornately carved 'Sniff Bottles' that his father brought back from his trips to China. This fascination ultimately inspired him to create vessels made from semi-precious stones, gold and ebony, containing custom-designed perfumes. These sculptural objects led the way to the luxurious Xerjoff line of perfumes that we know today.

Featured Fragrances:

Equipage from Hermes

Acier Aluminium from Creed

Patchouli

Homme Anniversary from Xerjoff

Elle Anniversary from Xerjoff

Nio from Xerjoff

Mefisto, Casamorati from Xerjoff

Fiore D'Ulivo, Casamorati from Xerjoff

Tony Iommi Monkey Special from Xerjoff

NeoRio from Xerjoff

Black Moonlight from Xerjoff

Purple Accento from Xerjoff

Erba Gold from Xerjoff

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09. Luca Turin A-Z: A Conversation with a Perfume Icon Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

This week, Steve sits down with the legendary Luca Turin to hear which fragrances are in his Hall of Fame. The two discuss what made Luca decide to stop writing about perfume altogether-- and what made him change his mind several years later. They also tackle the question of whether or not it's appropriate to ask a stranger what perfume they're wearing... and so much more!

Perfumes discussed in this episode:

- Fracas by Robert Piguet

- Angel by Thierry Mugler

- Cherry Bliss by Claire's

- Slogan by Courreges

- Ruade by Parfums d'Empire

- Le Cri by Parfums d'Empire

- Un Bel Amour d'Ete by Parfums d'Empire

- Une Rose / Rose Tonnerre by Frederic Malle

- L'Heure Perdue by Cartier

- Songe de Narcisse by Sentire

- Bon Monsieur by Rogue Perfumery

- Arc by Mallo

- Jasmin Antique by Rogue Perfumery

- Bois d'Armenie by Guerlain

- Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

- Taipei by One Day

- Salm by One Day

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08. The Icelandic Artist: In Conversation with Andrea Maack Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve chats with Andrea Maack about her background as an artist, how her brand was created from her own conceptual art piece, the inspiration she draws from the Icelandic landscape, and her latest release (and the line’s first floral!), Muse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07. The Art and Olfaction Awards Recap: Dana and Steve Meet with the Winners Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Dana and Steve chat about their roles as judges for The Art and Olfaction Awards.

Then, they have a chance to speak with some of the winners about their personal backgrounds and the inspiration behind the fragrances they created.

The guests on this episode are Nutt Wesshasartar of Siam1928 (Artisan Category Winner), Jerry Lin of OrDioLab (Artisan Category Winner), Michael Nordstrand, Chad Hodge and Diandra Barsalou of TALE Parfum (Independent Category Winners), and Stefan Radut of Caeleste (Newcomer Award Winner).

Fragrances mentioned: Bad Lily by TALE Parfum, Mekha Aranya by Siam1928, Mint Rose by OrDioLab, Principalities by Caeleste, Cabochard by Gres, Cannabis Rose by Fresh, Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche, Rive Gauche Pour Homme by YSL, Black by Bvlgari, Oqachol by Prin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06. The Free-Spirited Perfumer: A Conversation with Simone Andreoli May 29, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve sits down with Simone Andreoli, perfumer and founder of Simone Andreoli Diario Olfattivo to chat about his pursuit to become a perfumer, starting from a fateful, childhood trip to Grasse which opened his mind to the possibilities of olfactive art. A classical perfume training brought Simone back to Grasse as a young adult and gave him the skills and experience to return to his native Italy to create his own brand.

We learn about Simone's approach to developing new fragrances which he considers to be entries to an olfactive diary. His nomadic spirit and sense of adventure has brought Simone to all corners of the globe and he likes to honor them and recreate them through scent.

Join us as Simone Andreoli talks in depth about several fragrances from his brand including:

- Tulum Junglescape

- Sunplosion - Aloha State of Mind

- Vicebomb

- Oceans of a Midnight Moon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.