One of the best compliments you will ever receive when you hug someone is "You smell great!" The sense of pride and confidence you will feel is palpable when people ask you what you are wearing, and you say: “It’s mine”.  When the fragrance you wear is your very OWN it validates who you are and the choices you make. The shift in fragrance over the last 40 years reflects socio, economic and political trends and today it is all about Customization! In the 1970’S, CLASSIC & DESIGNER FRAGRANCES were the rage! Classic fragrances such as Chanel, Arpège, Shalimar, White Shoulders were popular. Fragrances from French and American designers emerged as Designers expanded their fashion brands with fragrances.  “Chloe” by the House of Chloe, “Opium” from Yves St. Laurent, “Obsession” from Calvin Klein were just some of the more popular scents wafting in the air. In the 1980's and 1990's, Celebrity Scents started to populate with the first major Celebrity fragrance from Elizabeth Taylor: "White Diamonds". Soon thereafter, every Celebrity realized that having their own fragrance would appeal to their fans (and expand their bank balance!) At the time of the Millennium, the feeling of nostalgia returned with a longing for the 'good old days' and many familiar classic scents enjoyed a resurgence. Chanel has withstood the test of time and still sells well at the holidays. From 2000 to today, almost every Celebrity from Lady Gaga , Madonna, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé to Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Pharrell Williams has a fragrance. The proliferation of Celebrity Scents is vast and the fragrance shelves are filled with Celebrity Scents. Every Reality star now has a fragrance and the choice is overwhelming.  Consumers are confused with such an enormous range of scents. Customization is now becoming popular as consumers are realizing that they can reflect their own individuality and personality with their own scent creation. Their life experiences are unique to them and everything they wear should reflect that. So, why wear what everyone else wears when you can truly create your own scent? Bespoke Perfumery used to be the realm of the wealthy or nobility. Napoleon had his own scent. Fragrance houses such as Caron and Guerlain created bespoke perfumes for royalty and the formula took several months, sometimes even years, to create and the formula was stored in a secret vault. Today, Custom scents are available to everyone, with companies such as Scenterprises and The Scentarium creating a beautiful, educational, ‘scentertaining’ experience at a fraction of the price. In an hour, with a Fragrance Expert, you can discover the magic and mystery of fragrance, become fascinated by the history of scent, learn about the vocabulary of fragrance, evaluate a range of exquisite blends and then select 3 or 4 you love, and create your very own fragrance. You can even “name” it and receive a Certificate of Registration authenticating your formula. And, when you are ready to reorder, your creation will be sent to you.  This way, when you walk down the street and are asked “What are you wearing?" you will smile and know that it’s YOURS! Personalization is the new YOU! 
June 22, 2022 — Sue Phillips

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.