Once in a while, there’s a mention of perfume DNA – particularly referring to some houses that tend to share the same scent profile with a ‘base DNA’ which is unique to their house.
So what exactly is perfume DNA?
DNA of a perfume can be defined as the unique olfactory profile of a perfume which contains unique structure and information, just like in human DNA. This unique profile comes in the form of notes and accords, longevity, projection, etc., which is a result of perfume composition – unique ratios and combinations of ingredients.
What is Perfume Composition?
Perfume composition is no different than any symphony or a piece of art as it uses a blend of ingredients and aroma chemicals to create notes, accords and discords. These ingredients and chemicals can be natural or synthetic or a mix of both.
An experienced perfumer knows that perfume composition is both art and science, and will have knowledge of how to carefully choose compounds, and blend them by choosing the precise amount of every ingredient or compound. The aim is to get to an end product that matches the idea that they started with.
Role of a Perfumer in Perfume Composition
Perfumers start with a certain idea which might have been inspired by some story or someone they know, and they appreciate this person, or it may start with a story narrated by someone who wants this perfume to be created.
But as the process develops, the perfumer must know and consider other things like the time it will take to develop on the skin after application or the very longevity of the perfume. It is quite daunting that perfumers need to have knowledge of how hundreds and thousands of different ingredients behave under various circumstances.
Since the very goal of perfume, or fine perfume to be precise, is to create something that smells amazing and pleasing, the perfumer will have to create something that appeals to a person, or a market. This will depend on whether the perfume is going to be a mass-market perfume or something more exclusive targeted towards a niche market.
Both market and fashion trends and cultural background will play roles in determining what is a pleasing scent to the audience.
Where Does Perfume Inspiration Come From?
Again, let’s view perfumes as art.
Where does the inspiration of art come from?
Inspiration for perfume can come from anywhere, it can be a passionate love story, like, Guerlain’s Shalimar, which was inspired by Shah Jahan, who shared the epic love story with his wife Mumtaz Mahal and built the famous Taj Mahal in her name after her death.
Sometimes inspiration may come from a certain place with cultural heritage – there are many perfumes inspired by the Middle East, and Vaara by Penhaligon’s, for example, was inspired by an Indian city Jodhpur. It can also come from a person in a perfumer’s life. And there’s no reason it cannot come from another perfume.
As a passionate fiction and poem writer myself, I think everything and anything can be an inspiration. A scene from the movie. A character. A Hollywood actor. Just imagination. Playing around. Anything.
Takeaway
This post started more with science and ended with a touch of art, and this is exactly what perfumes are – a blend of both science and art.
