Perfumer Quotes

“The cent you desire is hidden in the scent of a flower.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson, Song of a Nature Lover

“Too much bergamot in this one, too tart; no depth in this one; bring forward the orange blossom. Measuring out drops from several vials, she blended another variation, leaning heavily on her keen intuition. Inhaling, she let her mind wander, visualizing the aromatic impression. She was on the verge of discovery. An ethereal freshness with subtle spiciness, like the voluptuous scent of orange blossoms on a sunny spring morning. The hair on her arms bristled with anticipation.
She inhaled again, going farther, detecting the bouquet of jasmine absolute and rose attar, rich and silky, entwined with a spicy note of carnation, adding verve and vitality, robust brilliance. It needs a splash of complexity here, a sprig of basil there, an accent of clove. Images of lovers danced in her mind, a soaring sonata thrilled in her soul.
A vision intruded, no, a memory- she was dancing with Jon, resting her head on his shoulder, a salty hint of ocean, breathing in his scent, intoxicated with the musky, virile smell of his skin...
Another breath and she dragged her thoughts back, delving deeper into the essence. The mystery of amber to balance the soul; the silky smoothness of sandalwood; the delicious lure of vanilla, like a lover's midnight embrace. An ache grew within her at the core of her being. And in her mind's eye, veiled visions of a moonlit night, a couple dancing barefoot on the beach, swirling silks of scarlet and gold, the sultry caress of a whisper, so vivid she trailed her fingers along the nape of her neck, remembering... Seductive, sensual, the essence of amour.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“A fresh, uplifting mélange of Italian bergamot, mandarin, and raspberry that comprised the opening accord filled her nostrils with the carefree scents of spring. Her imagination soared with memories. The gardens of Bellerose, picnic baskets bursting with summer fruits on sunny Mediterranean beaches, summers spent on the Riviera, yacht parties, and the casino in Monte Carlo. The plain little bottle held the essence of the happy life she had known.
She inhaled again, closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to wander, to visualize the images the aroma evoked. Excitement coursed through her veins. She imagined a glamorous, luxurious lifestyle of exotic locales, mysterious lovers, sandy beaches, glittering parties, elegant gowns, and precious jewels.
And amid it all, sumptuous bouquets of fabulous flowers, enchanting and romantic, intense aromas of pure, bridal white jasmine and sultry tuberose, and the heady, evocative aroma of rose. Seductive spices, clove with musk and patchouli, smoothed with sandalwood and vanilla, elegant and sensual, like a lover in the night.
And finally, she realized what was missing. A strong, smooth core, a warm amber blend that would provide a deep connection to the soul. Love.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“When creating a smell, I go for subtle, clean, crisp, light fresh alluring fragrances that must evoke timeless elegance and a quiet sophistication.”
― Jean-Claude Ellena, Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent

“A great perfumer can take the visual perfection of living flowers and materials and elongate and morph it's lifespann into olfactory bliss.”
― Marian Bendeth Global Fragrance Expert, Sixth Scents

“A great perfumer can take the visual perfection of living flowers and materials and elongate and morph it's lifespan into olfactory bliss.”
― Marian Bendeth Global Fragrance Expert, Sixth Scents

“The stately tuberose is reluctant to share its effusive scent, yielding only to enfleurage- petals pressed into fat between glass, rinsed in alcohol. The carnal charisma of tuberose, one of the perfumer's most expensive essential oils, heightens the white floral bouquet, lifting it up on angels' wings. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Scent speaks in every language. It is made of flesh and personal impressions. It is tied up with the need to feel alive, a need everyone senses from an early age. The need to live is also a need for perfumes and scents. Inescapably. They are the depositories of our deepest secrets, whether we like it or not.

--- Master Perfumer Dominique Ropion, creator of such iconic fragrances as Givenchy Amarige, Mugler Alien, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, and Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady and Carnal Flower”
― Francesca Serritella, Full Bloom

“If Madame Rapacine had taught her anything, it was that if you wanted to capture a time, a place, a feeling, you needed to make it into a perfume. Iris understood, Rapacine hadn't destroyed the home she loved--- she had bottled it.
But for those few passersby who resist the dissociation the city begs of its residents, those who are more in touch with their bodies, or sensitive to whimsy, or at the very least not in a terrible rush, they had a surreal experience. A Pilates instructor and former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey company walked by and smelled the water and was reminded of the glamorous patrons at her first professional dance gig, opening a new club called Studio 54. A Japanese chef on holiday passed by and thought it smelled like the yuzu and rosewater cake he once baked for his sister's wedding. And a small child simply thought it smelled like her mother when she was going out for the evening. The perfume that poured from the brownstone could evoke a different memory for every person in New York. But all of them were beautiful.”
― Francesca Serritella, Full Bloom