I just spent a day at Disneyland with my family, taking in all of the aromas of churros and popcorn and chlorine-filled water rides. In New Orleans Square, right next to my favorite restaurant (shoutout to the Monte Cristo sandwich at Cafe Orleans), is Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie. It first debuted at the park in 1966 and reopened in 2011 after closing in the 1990s, and it’s one of my favorite spots.
Walking through the door is like taking a step back in time. The shop workers wear black dresses, all of the bottles are perfectly arranged with blotters to sample. The paintings on the walls were commissioned by Walt Disney’s wife Lillian, to whom the shop was dedicated when it first opened.
I stopped in for just a moment to sample a few fragrances, before heading off for more rides and magic.
It may seem strange to have a perfume shop in the middle of an amusement park, but it harkens back to a different era, one where the perfume shop was a staple. The retailers are so attentive and want to share the history of the shop and their knowledge of the fragrances. The experience feels personalized, even though so many people walk through that door every day.
The term “fine fragrance” always conjures up images of high society for me. The idea of fancy dresses and formal dinners and a fine perfume to top it all off. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Fine fragrance is becoming mainstream, and consumers of all ages and social groups are using fragrance to express themselves. Whether it be a fruity gourmand or a fresh citrus scent, there truly is a perfume for everyone.
This is where our industry can really get creative and break the mold. Fragrance is reaching more and more audiences, and formulators and manufacturers are leveraging that success. Fine fragrance doesn’t have to be the perfect pink glass bottle with a separate atomizer. It can be portable and personal.
I will always walk into Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie when I find myself at Disneyland, and I will always take a moment to stop and smell what they are offering. Some of my favorite perfumes have come from that store. Sometimes you just need a bit of a poison apple scent, courtesy of Christian Dior, of course.
