We sent out an "Ask An Expert" alert on socials, to see if F&F professionals had any burning questions. Perfumer & Flavorist+ tapped senior perfumer Serge Oldenbourg to field our next question in the series: What are the best types of materials to be in a summer fragrance?
Olgdenbourg pens:
Frankly speaking: I don’t know! And I don’t think anyone could say “with product XYZ you have the perfect summer fragrance!"
As mentioned before (in Oldenbourg's profile linked above), one single material does not mean much to me; the accord, the signature of a fragrance is the reason for wearing it, not the components taken on their own. When looking at Michelangelo’s David, do you ask yourself where the stone came from or what kind of stone it is?When looking at the Picasso’s Guernica, do you ask yourself what are the specific colors used? When listening the Gounod’s Ave Maria, do you ask yourself how many octaves the singer is practicing?
It is obvious to me that the quality of the “materials” is of most importance; but even more important is the beauty of these creations. Why don’t we look at fragrances the same way? Here also the materials used must be of good quality, but most important are the emotional values these creations are generating for the users and the people around. Single components must be good! That’s for sure; accords and fragrances are the real values. The perfumer elaborated it in their mind before being produced, as it happens for every creative activity.
Have a question for Olgenbourg or a flavorist expert? Send an email to [email protected].
