This artwork explores the long-standing debate around natural versus synthetic perfumery. By contrasting a botanical perfume bottle with laboratory symbolism, it asks whether 100% natural perfumery is truly impossible—or simply misunderstood. The piece visually supports a deeper examination of natural perfume history, modern formulation standards, and the evolving role of botanicals in contemporary fragrance creation.
Día de los Muertos, Samhain, Mexico Monday, Natural Perfumery, Ritual Scents, Festival of the Dead, Cultural Exchange, Ancestral Rituals, ParfoLab, Ireland and Mexico, Fragrance History, Scent and Memory
Tonquin musk and Siberian musk refer to the natural animal musk obtained from musk deer in different regions of Asia. “Tonquin” (or Tonkin) musk traditionally comes from musk deer of the Tonkin region (northern Vietnam and nearby areas) and has long been considered the highest quality musk in perfumery.
Introduction: A Luxury Scent at a Cruel Cost For centuries, the musky secretion of civet cats has been coveted in perfumery as a fixative and exotic note. In particular, the African civet (Civettictis civetta) – a nocturnal, fox-faced mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa – became the primary source of “civet musk,” which is refined into the aromatic compound civetone. Historically, […]
Introduction Africa has contributed some of the world’s most treasured natural perfumery materials. Steffen Arctander’s classic 1960 reference Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin describes many aromatic substances sourced from the African continent, from ancient incense resins to floral oils. In ancient Egypt, resins like frankincense and myrrh were burned in temples and used in mummification and medicine. Over […]
Justine Crane is a quietly brilliant force and a living legend in natural perfumery—over 25 years of immersive, plant-based practice, teaching, and artisanal production.
When you hear the name Dimitri Dimitriadis in perfume circles, it’s often spoken with a mix of admiration and respect. Known for his deep knowledge of fragrance history, poetic writing style, and curatorial work in the field of scent, Dimitri has become a treasured voice in the global perfume community. But behind the eloquence and expertise lies something very simple: […]
Katrina Cochrane, the founder of Archer Farrar Perfume Atelier, is part of a new generation of natural perfumers bringing integrity, warmth, and refined artistry to the world of botanical fragrance. Based in Sydney, Australia, Katrina’s journey into perfumery wasn’t a straight line — but rather a winding path marked by deep sensory training and a commitment to working with nature […]
Shelley Waddington is an award-winning artisanal perfumer, author, and educator with a career that bridges fine fragrance and natural perfumery. She is the founder of EnVoyage Perfumes, a Carmel, CA-based indie perfume house known for its inventive, small-batch fragrances. Waddington’s background is as eclectic as it is impressive: she earned an M.A. in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology and later trained in classic […]
Discover Ane Walsh, Brazil’s pioneer in natural botanical perfumery, in this vibrant portrait celebrating her deep connection to memory, myth, and scent. Featuring her beloved black Labrador and handcrafted aromatics, this image captures the heart of her artisanal legacy.