Which came first, the perfume or the perfume photography? If you answered the perfume, you obviously have never experienced Olfactive Studio Perfumes. Until now, I’ve seen fragrances developed, followed by photography and ad campaigns and other visual media created based on the story being told by the fragrance. Olfactive Studios flipped the script on perfume creation in a very real way by starting with the photograph and creating a scent that captures the essence of the image and essentially a moment in time.
In 2011 Olfactive Studio launched with 3 unisex fragrances; Autoportrait, Chambre Noire, and Still Life. Blanche followed in 2012 and Flashback in 2013. With each fragrance the olfactory essence, or perfumers proof, of the photograph is captured by master perfumers.
Autoportrait
The image inspiration behind this musky powdery scent was captured by Luc Laporte and the fragrance was developed by Nathalie Lorson. Notes include bergamot, elemi, Benzoin Siam, incense, masks, oak moss, cedar and vetiver.
Chambre Noire
Photographer Clemence Rene-bazin is the eye behind Chambre Noire. Her image expertly captures two scenes, one of solitude of being alone in a hotel room but with promise of discovery of something beyond the glass window. The scent was created by Dorothee Piot with a sensual spiciness that could have originated from the Far East. Notes include schinus, jasmine, papyrus, violet, incense, prune, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla and leather accord.
Still Life
Perfumer, Dora Arnaud, is the nose behind Still Life. The young perfumer uses a trio of peppers (pink, black and sichuan) as top notes for this very energetic fragrance. Other notes include star anise, Gabanum, dark rum, cedar wood and ambrox. The image that inspired the creation of this fragrance is a playful arrangement of pictures of disco balls (Yes, so pictures within pictures. I feel like I’m in the Matrix.).
Lumière Blanche
For perfumer Sidone Lancesseur, Lumière Blanche is a “fragrance with beautifully contrasting hot and cold notes”. Sidone uses notes of cardamon star anise and cinnamon to give the opening of the fragrance a light inviting feel. It is balanced with notes of iris, almond milk and cashmere wood and anchored by cedarwood, sandalwood, tonka bean and white musk. The end result is mellow and calming. Like the fragrance, the photographic inspiration capture by Massimo Vitali has an equally conflicting, yet harmonious feel.
Flashback
Perfumer Oliver Cesp took the image created by photographer Segretier Laurent and created a fragrance that is warm, inviting and delicious. Flashback will take you on a journey back to your childhood where you might find yourself sitting impatiently waiting to sink your teeth in a warm apple rhubarb treat. It starts with notes of rhubarb, grapefruit and orange and closes with warm notes of vetiver, cedar, amber and musk. Pepper and granny smith apple give this fragrance a perfect balance and make it my favorite from all 5 Olfactive Studio fragrances so far.
After seeing the images and experiencing the Olfactive Studio Perfumes, I sometimes see a picture and ask myself “How would this moment smell?” This is something I never did before. Is it normal? Maybe not. However, it is definitely interesting.
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Hi Christene,
I would really love to try those perfumes. I am actually thinking of things to be given to my family for this holiday season. I think this is the perfect item for them. Glad that I have found your post.
– Jeanne