Perfume Room

Latest Episodes:

70. Talking Smell of Scents Without Sense of Smell (w/ Perfumer Ugo Charron & Congenital Anosmic Emma Dancourt) Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

A perfumer and a person with congenital anosmia walk into a bar...

What ensues? A multi-sensorial fragrance created around everything BUT smell. Together Mane Junior Perfumer Ugo Charron and Journalist Emma Dancourt, who lives with congenital anosmia (meaning she has never smelled), set out on a most challenging endeavor: to create Emma’s signature scent. How do you capture someone’s essence in fragrant form when said person cannot smell? Well as you’ll hear in this episode, smelling well (or at all, for that matter)and smelling good can indeed be mutually exclusive.Hear first from Ugo about his path to perfumery, then Emma about her experiences living with anosmia, and then the duo as they discuss the intricate and oftentimes difficult road to creating Umema, Emma's signature scent. PLUS, ARE YOU KIKI OR BOUBA? FIND OUT!

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Atelier Materi Iris Ebène, Maison Crivelli Iris Malikhân, Bottega Veneta, Serge Lutens Daim Blond, Memo Irish Leather, Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena, Dedcool Blonde 03, Umema, Paco Rabanne Black XS, Armani Privé Cuir Noir, Shiseido Feminité du Bois, The Zoo Tubereuse Organique, Snif Dead Dinosaur, Guerlain L’Heure Bleu, Lancôme Poême

FOLLOW UGO: @ugoartperfume

FOLLOW EMMA: @emmanuelledancourt

www.umefragrance.com

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

69. The Man Who's Scenting All of New York (w/ Principal Perfumer Frank Voelkl!) Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

*REQUIRED LISTENING* Frank Voelkl—Principal Perfumer at Firmenich, and creator of cult-classics like Santal 33, Glossier You, The Noir 29, and yep, even Axe— is in the Perfume Room today!! Frank shares what it takes to set a trend, actually setting it, and of course, what happens next (hint hint: copycats, dupes, etc.). We talk about why being a perfumer isn't all coming up roses (sometimes it's musk, and woody notes too hehe), Frank's most personal creations, fragrance family trees, how the fragrance consumer's desires have shifted over the last few decades, and artistically-speaking, when and why you'd use a synthetic note versus a natural one.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Aedes de Venustas 16A Orchard, YSL Kouros, Paco Rabonne, Azzaro, Glossier You, Axe, Le Labo Santal 33, MCM Ultra, Chantecaille Tiare

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

68. The Perfumer Bottling Our Collective Scent Memories Through Her Own (w/ Perfumer Maya Njie) Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Maya Njie (of Maya Njie perfume) is a self-taught, London-based perfumer who combines her own scent memories, Swedish and Gambian roots, imagination, and design background to translate photos into scents. And not just any photos— ones from her own family’s archive. Drawing on inspiration from the 60s and 70s and the unique color palettes of those decades, she color picks family photos from this era and re-imagines the color palettes, moments, times, places, and people as scents.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Diptyque Orpheon, Marissa Zappas Annabel’s Birthday Cake, Hanae Mori, MCM Ultra, Maya Njie: Nordic Cedar, Mugler Angel, Vanilj; Annick Goutal Duel, Maya Njie: Tobak, Voyeur Verde, Les Fleurs; Cacherel LouLou, Coty Exclamation, Salvador Dali Eau de Dali, CK be

SHOP MAYA NJIE: mayanjie.com & www.museexperiences.com

FOLLOW: @maya.njie.perfume

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

67. Farm-To-Table but Make it Fragrance (w/ MATIERE PREMIERE Perfumer, Supplier, & Co-Founder Aurélien Guichard) Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Aurélien Guichard reaps what he sows... and then facets it. The rose and tuberose in his fragrances? It's sourced directly from his own organic flower farm in Grasse. So yeah, in addition to being an illustrious, brilliant, 7th-generation perfumer responsible for some of your favorite smells (*cough cough* Gucci Guilty, Versace Eros, Narciso Poudree, Burberry Hero) Guichard is redefining what it means to be sustainable, natural, and locally-sourced (and not in an annoying greenwashing way). We discuss his path to perfumery, the inspiration behind Matière Première, and how you never know when an old fragrance formula might resurface and become the next... Gucci Pour Homme.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Scents of Wood Plum in Cognac, BDK Gris Charnel, Robert Piguet Petit Fracas, Matière Première: Neroli Oranger, Cologne Cedrat, Santal Austral, Encens Suave; Robert Piguet Fracas, Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio, Robert Piguet Petit Fracas, Matiere Premiere French Flower, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Anisia Bella, Sean John Unforgivable, Gucci Pour Homme, Matière Première Crystal Saffron, Gucci Guilty, Narciso Rodriguez, Narciso Poudree, Burberry Hero, Versace Eros, Matière Première: Radical Rose, French Flower; Kenzo

FOLLOW: @matierepremiereparfums @aurelienguichard

SHOP: luckyscent.com (code: 10pr for 10% off orders over $40)

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

66. The Fall It-Fragrance Trend: Mac & Cheese Scents (SOLO EPISODE) Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

WOWOW, have you missed my train of thought musings? You are in luck. Today's ep is just moi and I'm talking about my biggest fall trend prediction: *mac & cheese scents.* (And btw, please, do join me in making this expression happen.) I also discuss how Baccarat Rouge is a microcosm of of larger Internet behavior, specifically TikTok behavior, and more specifically, the current state of PerfumeTok. Plus, I share the scents I'll be wearing all fall long, some fun facts about me, my thoughts on aromatherapy, and how I display and organize my collection.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Thomas de Monaco Eau Coeur, MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Snif Sweet Ash, Le Labo Santal 33, Chabaud Lait et Chocolat, Marissa Zappas Annabel’s Birthday Cake, Ateliers Des Ors Lune Feline, Commodity Velvet+, Citrus BatiKanga, Jo Malone Grapefruit, Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling, Chris Collins African Rooibos, Commodity Orris, Atelier Cafe Tuberosa, Diptyque Orpheon, Floris Platinum 22, Akro Dark, The Maker Wild, Christian Dior Bois D’Argent, Milano Fragranze Basilica, Maison Margiela Lipstick On, Kierin Pier NY, Burberry Her, ELdO Secretions Magnifiques, Akro Night

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

PURCHASE THE SAMPLE PACK: https://www.luckyscent.com/product/910003/sample-pack-boozy-by-perfume-room-smell-club

65. From Brain to Bottle: The A-Z of Creating a Fragrance (w/ Fragrance Agent Bart Schmidt) Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Fragrance Agent Bart Schmidt is in the Perfume Room today! Don’t know what a fragrance agent is? You’ll learn in this episode! Bart breaks down every aspect of the process of creating a fragrance from ideation to getting the bottle into consumers' hands — a great listen if you’ve ever been curious about how to launch your own fragrance! Bart also shares what his the trends he thinks are here to stay and what’s to come, who the next Le Labos of the industry will be, and why indie brands continue to break the mold when it comes to fragrance.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Penhaligon's Juniper Sling, Diptyque Do Son EDT, Tom Ford Black Orchid, YSL Opium, Le Labo Rose 31, Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio, 4711, Melanie Martinez Cry Baby, Le Labo Santal 33, MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Hayley Kiyoko Hue, Armani Acqua Di Gio, Bleu de Chanel, Coco Madamoiselle, Roblé Clique, Chanel Antaess, Halston Z14, Aramis Devin, leVerden Bamboo Salt Body Lotion

20% OFF andreamaack.com: code 'perfumeroom20'

FOLLOW BART: @agentfragrance

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

64. Lighting The Way to The Soft Life (w/ Sir Candle Man!) Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Your fave candle creator, Sir Candle Man (Kudzi Chikumbu), is in the Perfume Room today! This ep has been a long time coming! Sir Candle Man and I discuss everything from his creative process for content creation, to the chance encounter in Paris that started it all, and obv, you guessed it the launch of his first-ever fragrance (in collab with L’Or de Seraphine) Soft Life! We discuss the meaning and inspiration behind Soft Life, why and how he created this candle, and of course, what it smells like.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Givenchy MMW, Escentric Molecules Escentric 01, Miason Crivelli Papyrus Moleculaire, Le Labo Santal 33, Gucci: 1921, A Song for The Rose, Tears from the Moon; Lancome Idole, Givenchy Indompte, Memo Sicilian Leather, Cire Trudon Bruma, Byredo Black Saffron, Dedcool Blonde 03, MFK 724, Diptyque Tam Dao, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Tom Ford Ebène Fumé, MFK Au 17, Vilhelm: Mango Skin, Morning Chess; Carrière Frères: Acacia, Absinthe; Rewind Moscow Mule, JHAG Not A Candle, PF Candle Pignon Incense, Mizensir Ambre Magique

ORDER SOFT LIFE: https://www.lordeseraphine.com/products/soft-life

FOLLOW SIR CANDLE MAN: @sircandleman on all platforms

FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

63. Scenting the Nordic Aesthetic (w/ Icelandic Artist and Fragrance Founder Andrea Maack) Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Icelandic Artist and Niche Fragrance Founder Andrea Maack is in the Perfume Room today. While all of her fragrances are incredibly unique, they're united by a common otherworldly feel; today we discuss exactly what that feel is [Iceland]. We discuss her background as a visual artist, the interactive art exhibit that launched her fragrance career, the fragrance scene and niche scents permeating the streets of Reykjavik, and what it means to have a 'Nordic aesthetic.'

PLUS, ENJOY SPECIAL PERFUME ROOM DISCOUNT!

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Plus, now through the end of August, any full bottle purchase comes with a free discovery set!

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Andrea Maack: Ceramic, Craft, Coven; Nasomatto Black Afgano, Byredo Blanche, Andrea Maack: Soft Tension, Commes des Garcons, Byredo, Frederic Malle, Andrea Maack: Entrance, Smart

62. Chris Collins Smells like WHAT? (w/ Fragrance Founder Chris Collins) Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

Chris Collins, Founder of the niche, luxury, Black-owned fragrance brand Chris Collins (and casual former International Model) is in the Perfume Room today! We cover so much ground including the smell of hustle (yes, it has a smell), Chris Collins' little-known secret: he’s actually quite shy, why every fragrance brand needs a homebase, High School Chris (and what he smelled like), and how for better or worse, the most important thing a fragrance should do is provoke (which obv checks out, because Chris is—but of course—a Scorpio).

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Bleu de Chanel, Aesop Hwyl, Chris Collins: Citrus Grandis, Tokyo Blue, Harlem Nights, Danse Sauvage, Renaissance; Mugler Angel, Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel, Stetson, Angel for Men, Calvin Klein Obsession for Men, Calvin Klein Escape, CK Eternity, CK One, CK Be, Tommy for Men, Polo Sport, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, Dior Fahrenheit, Davidoff Cool Water, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur

FOLLOW: @worldofchriscollins

SHOP: www.chriscollins.com

PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

61. Vabbing, The Ultimate Indie Sleaze Perfume, and Why You Need to Stop Trying to Make Goblincore Happen (w/ Old Loser In Brooklyn, Mandy Lee!) Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

This week I am joined by your fave fashion analyst/tastemaker Mandy Lee, AKA Old Loser in Brooklyn. With over 400k TikTok followers, Mandy has played a pivotal role in both setting and predicting so many trends, perhaps most notably, the ever-loved Indie Sleaze, which we obviously scent. From Cottagecore to Coquette, we also discuss the perfect fragrance for every trending e-aesthetic. And you knew it was coming; separately, Mandy has been very high on Perfumetok’s radar in the last month for a different reason— a viral video she made (and has since taken down) about vabbing. Yep, this is the vabbing episode. Since posting, Mandy has not spoken out about that video and the life it took on— UNTIL NOW.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Glossier You, Chanel Chance, Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk, Under The Lemon Trees; Old Spice, Le Labo Bergamote 22, Essential Faith, Nemat Amber, Axe, Britney Spears Curious, Paris Hilton Tease, DKNY Be Delicious, Clinique Happy, ELdO Secretions Magnifiques, Akro Night, Mugler Angel, Regimes des Fleurs Little Flower, Kismet Olfactive Nostalgia, Marissa Zappas La Divina, Guerlain Insolence, Marissa Zappas Annabel’s Birthday Cake, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, DKNY Be Delicious, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Masque Milano Lost Alice, Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau, Akro Dark, Initio Absolute Aphrodisiac, Maison Margiela Replica Blue Sailing Day, Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace

FOLLOW MANDY: @oldloserinbrooklyn on all platforms

FOLLOW EMMA: @perfumeroompod @emma_vern

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10% off TwistedLily orders with code perfumeroom10

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