Olfactory Indulgence
Archaeological digs and ancient texts bear witness to the existence of perfumes in some of the earliest human civilizations, often as a means to ward off odours but also as a way to enhance one’s personality. The methods have varied: From burnt resin in ancient Egypt, to sulphur and essential oils in Medieval Europe. In the 20th century the modern perfume industry boomed, and gradually came to focus on marketing and packaging, celebrities and fashion houses.
However, over the last two decades the niche brands have completely transformed the world of perfumery. The perfumers have stepped into the limelight, and social media has made it easier to discuss and engage in perfumes. Where other lines of retail face the death of the high street, the perfume shops are thriving. Fragrances – so intimate yet so hard to describe – have become a way of socializing.
In Olfactory Indulgence, Jenny Lantz tracks the development of the contemporary perfume scene and the dedicated movement around it. By interviewing key figures around the world she gives us unique insights into a secretive world, and searches for the essence of scents and perfume houses alike. We learn about the characteristics of specific notes and fragrance families, and how to explore niche fragrances and iconic scents at home.
By directing a sharp lens on one of the most important pop-cultural expressions of the 2010s, Jenny Lantz tells us something larger about our time – about individualization, consumerism and the intense hunt for experiences.
Jenny Lantz has a background as an Associate Professor in business administration at the Stockholm School of Economics, and as an Associate Professor in Fashion Studies at Stockholm University. She has also been a fellow researcher at Harvard University. She has written several books on the fashion industry and edited an anthology by female researchers…
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About the book
Archaeological digs and ancient texts bear witness to the existence of perfumes in some of the earliest human civilizations, often as a means to ward off odours but also as a way to enhance one’s personality. The methods have varied: From burnt resin in ancient Egypt, to sulphur and essential oils in Medieval Europe. In the 20th century the modern perfume industry boomed, and gradually came to focus on marketing and packaging, celebrities and fashion houses.
However, over the last two decades the niche brands have completely transformed the world of perfumery. The perfumers have stepped into the limelight, and social media has made it easier to discuss and engage in perfumes. Where other lines of retail face the death of the high street, the perfume shops are thriving. Fragrances – so intimate yet so hard to describe – have become a way of socializing.
In Olfactory Indulgence, Jenny Lantz tracks the development of the contemporary perfume scene and the dedicated movement around it. By interviewing key figures around the world she gives us unique insights into a secretive world, and searches for the essence of scents and perfume houses alike. We learn about the characteristics of specific notes and fragrance families, and how to explore niche fragrances and iconic scents at home.
By directing a sharp lens on one of the most important pop-cultural expressions of the 2010s, Jenny Lantz tells us something larger about our time – about individualization, consumerism and the intense hunt for experiences.
