Mon 14 Dec
2009
Olfactory Mnemonics
An unexpected smell can trigger our strongest memories of a time and place. A waft that unlocks a complete experience.
Perfume can be distracting, often overbearing, and only useful as a reminder of the person who once wore it. The girl wearing Curve in geology class, my brother in his Drakkar Noir period. But what if scent were to commandeer a more ubiquitous association: those of favorite places and things, not only people.
Christopher Brosius and his parfumerie, I Hate Perfume, creates fragrance that stir up impressions we may share in common – bottling our romantic notions of environment and locale. The worn cloth and first edition paper of In The Library, or the new fallen snow and frosted, wool mittens of Winter 1972. I Hate Perfume’s perfumes give our homes, and ourselves, the essence of beloved times and fond memory.
I also hate perfume, but I *would* like to order a vial of Brand New School Supplies 1985 and Homemade Soup and Bread 1992, please.
I’ve smelled these! I’m always dipping into Odin to sample them. The burning leaves one drives me nuts, fire in a bottle! And Winter 1972, I’m not sure if it’s a man’s scent, but it’s the one that tempts me most to purchase.