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A big round of Jubilee Cheers to the Winners in our Competition from all of us at Pairfum London.
In the meantime, we have notified our Winners and sent them the instructions how they can claim their Prizes.
We were pleasantly surprised by how many people entered the Prize Draw and yet the numbers were probably miniscule by comparison with the National Lottery.
Thank you to Everybody for taking part.
Our Exclusive Jubilee Competition is now Live. It closes at midnight on the evening of Monday the 6th of June 2022.
This weekend Britain is celebrating the 70 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
In her honour we are running our exclusive Jubilee Competition. Submit your details below and join the competition.
We have 70 x Prizes to win. Yes, you read this correctly, 70 x prizes. One for each year!
In fact, we have so many prizes and keep in mind there will only be relatively few entries to give you a fantastic chance to win.
Why? We are a Niche Perfumery House and we don’t send this email to millions of subscribers. It is only sent to our customers and fans.
The competition runs the entire Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, between 2nd – 5th June.
This is a case of “Have Your Cake And Eat It”
This Jubilee Weekend is about celebrating together and to enjoy each other’s company.
This is why we invite you to share this competition with your friends & family. Everybody is invited and nobody excluded.
The more of your friends & family you invite, the higher the chances somebody within your family & friends wins, maybe even several of them.
Submit your name below to have a chance to win our fabulous prizes:
Here is the list of the 70 x prizes:
We wish you good luck in the competition and hope that you or one of your friends & family will be amongst the winners.
Spend a wonderful Jubilee Weekend with your Friends & Family and win a prize on top.
Huib X
P.S. For all of you that have never won anything, this really is a great opportunity for you. You won’t be disappointed.
On International Women’s Day, we present Feminist Quotes to celebrate female empowerment and women’s rights together with other people around the world.
Thanks to cultural and societal shifts, this day has become increasingly prominent and is now recognised by millions of people through events, talks and protests.
To get you in the spirit for the annual celebration, we’ve rounded up some of the most powerful Feminist Quotes from icons like Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Sylvia Plath, who have shared wisdom on everything from female sexuality to equal pay.
It’s not just women, either, whose soundbites we’ve gathered.
Scroll through the gallery below to see which quote from an icon inspire you:
Katharine Hepburn:
“I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man. I’ve just done what I damn well wanted to, and I’ve made enough money to support myself, and ain’t afraid of being alone”
Betty Friedan:
Betty Friedan was an American feminist writer and activist. A leading figure in the women’s movement in the United States,
“No woman gets an orgasm from shining the kitchen floor”
Emmeline Pankhurst:
“I want to say to you who think women cannot succeed, we have brought the government of England to this position, that it has to face this alternative: either women are to be killed or women are to have the vote”
Nawal El Saadawi:
Nawal El Saadawi is an Egyptian feminist writer, activist, physician, and psychiatrist.
“They said, “You are a savage and dangerous woman. I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous”
Rebecca West:
Dame Rebecca West, was a British author, journalist, literary critic and travel writer
“I myself have never able to find out precisely what a feminist is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat”
Susan B. Anthony:
“I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand”
Bette Davis:
“When a man gives his opinion, he’s a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she’s a bitch”
Gloria Marie Steinem:
An American feminist, journalist, and social political activist
“A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle”
Warren Buffet
His view on promoting women in business
“We’ve seen what can be accomplished when we use 50% of our human capacity. If you visualize what 100% can do, you’ll join me as an unbridled optimist about America’s future.”
Barak Obama
“I’m absolutely confident that for two years, if every nation on earth was run by women, you would see a significant improvement across the board on just about everything… living standards and outcomes.”
Let us know which of these Feminist Quotes inspired you most today.
If you our feminist quotes and are looking for more inspiring quotes, we invite you to visit these pages on our website:
We have just published a new article about the importance of natural perfume:
https://staging.pairfum.com/natural-perfume/
With many synthetic products on the market, we believe it is more important than ever to educate our readers about the importance and the processes behind developing and manufacturing natural perfumes.
We hope this article provides something for the beginner perfumer as well as the seasoned enthusiast.
Enjoy.
We have just published a new article about the history of perfume
https://staging.pairfum.com/history-of-perfume/
The history of perfume is as curious as it is extensive. The earliest recordings of perfume date back to ancient Egypt and ancient Greece.
This article ensures that the wonders of the history of perfume are not hidden by perfume historians and are instead shared with fellow perfume enthusiasts.
We hope you enjoy.
A Women’s perfume gift set is proof that great things truly do come in small packages. Many high-quality sample perfume bottles can last months or even years.
Furthermore, the humble fragrance gift comes in packages as large as shoeboxes while only being only slightly more expensive than a full-sized bottle – making them a fantastic bargain.
A women’s perfume gift set allows that special lady to test out different fragrances. Unfortunately, in the beauty industry perfume often comes at the bottom of the list. A gift set can give a woman the freedom to try something new and broaden their horizons.
Even if the recipient of the gift set already has a signature fragrance, it is likely they will want to have another addition to their collection.
There is an astoundingly wide range of signature notes that can be found in perfume. Having several at their disposal will leave your loved one prepared for almost every occasion.
Woody Perfume
Earthy and mossy notes are synonymous with a woody fragrance. The typical perfume notes one ought to expect are sandalwood, cedarwood and vetiver.
Oriental Perfume
Oriental fragrances are likely to be the heaviest perfume to feature in a women’s perfume gift set. Oriental perfumes tend to be spicy, musky and sometimes sugary. Their most popular notes are vanilla and cinnamon.
Aromatic Perfume
Aromatic fragrances are known to remind people of freshly mown grass or vibrant herb garden. Sage, rosemary, lavender and basil are all staple notes of aromatic perfumes.
Citrus Perfume
Citrus fragrances are a must-have in any women’s perfume gift set and are the perfect choice for those who prefer to avoid traditional fragrances. the zesty aroma of orange and lemon notes are attractive due to being fresh but also subtle.
Fruity Perfume
Fruity fragrances make the perfect gift due to the extensive ingredients at their disposal. Fruity perfumes can come from any fruit you can think of, be it peach, black current or even apple.
Floral Perfume
Last but by no means least comes the most common and feminine fragrance of all. Not only are there countless flowers to choose from (e.g. rose, daisy, magnolia etc.), there are just as many floral perfume brands to chose from.
In fact, the choice of brands can be so extensive that we recommend starting by choosing your favourite flower rather than a particular brand.
1. When testing their perfume gifts, we recommend the recipient pays close attention to the base notes rather than the top notes for they will create longer-lasting aromas.
2. There are two key terms that will appear a lot when looking for a women’s perfume gift set. Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. These terms can be quite confusing and therefore we recommend you read this short article by Hello! Magazine.
Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, there are countless gift sets on offer and you should certainly shop around. Although, we do invite you to consider our Fragrance Library | Perfume Experience Box. Not only does it include a vast array of perfumes, once the man in your life has found ‘their’ fragrance, but you can also get the cost of the experience box refunded when you buy the full-sized bottle.
If someone is looking for the perfect men’s perfume gift set, it is safe to assume they are looking to treat a special man in their life – be it family, friend or colleague.
Fragrances continue to be a classic choice as a gift for men as it is regarded as a very thoughtful and personal gift.
However, what if the wrong fragrance is chosen and while you believe that one fragrance encapsulates your loved on, they have a completely different view of themselves altogether?
This is why men’s perfume gift sets were invented in the first place.
First of all, it empowers that special man to discover their own identity through cologne and fragrance. This is not only due to the choice of perfume available in a gift set, but also because the bottles in a gift set have larger amounts of scent liquid than a single perfume bottle.
Also, to be pragmatic, perfume sets often come with an offer when they are purchased which means you can save money to go towards another gift for that man in your life.
Fougere fragrances are certain the most commonly attributed to masculinity with many brands describing how these colognes represent a man who is cool under pressure and handles a crisis well.
The original Fougere perfume (Fougere Royale, launched in 1882) contained notes of oakmoss, tobacco, lavender and coumarin. These notes have been considered as the building blocks of Fougere fragrances ever since.
Fun fact: Fougere, (pronounced ‘foo-jair’) comes from the French word for ‘fern’
Gourmand colognes are also definitively categorised as masculine and make the perfect addition to a men’s perfume gift set.
They have become ever more popular in recent years, most likely down to their indulgent aromas produced from notes of vanilla, chocolate and coffee. If a man reminds you of dessert, you can safely assume he is wearing a gourmand fragrance.
Such a cologne is as seductive as it is versatile, although, we recommend that they are worn in the winter – a season of true indulgence.
Chypre perfumes are a truly timeless fragrance for men who usually revolve around labdanum, oakmoss and bergamot. In fact, it is suggested that chypres fragrances can date back to the Roman Empire and are certainly often mentioned in manuals written in the 18th century.
They are associated more with the ‘mature’ gentleman and are often worn in the autumn. However, chypres fragrances are perfect for gift box as they are incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of scenarios.
Fun fact: Many mistake Chypre to be a reference to the cypress tree. In truth, it comes from the French word for Cyprus.
Oriental perfumes are certainly considered as one of the more seductive fragrances and are distinctive through their emphasis on amber. The most common ambers notes that are used include patchouli, truffle and vanilla. Although oriental perfumes can be further categorised, for example, there are Spicy Orientals and Woody Orientals.
Nevertheless, if you have a young (or not so young) Batchelor in your life, this fragrance would be an accessory for a night on the pull.
As previously mentioned, spicy fragrances do form a large sub-category of oriental fragrances. However, we believe that no man’s mini perfume set should be without a spicy aftershave. Nevertheless, oriental and spicy fragrances do fulfil very similar needs.
Although, as well as typical oriental notes, spicy perfumes often contain notes of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Therefore, such fragrances are also commonly associated with sensuality and warmth – perfect for the evenings.
We would recommend a spicy cologne during the winter where notes such as cinnamon and nutmeg are certainly seasonally appropriate.
While floral ingredients are more commonly found in feminine fragrances, they are becoming ever more prevalent in men’s cologne, particularly the two cornerstone notes of jasmine and rose. The former adding refinedness and complexity and the latter builds cohesion amongst the other notes in the perfume
Floral fragrances are easily identified for they remind everyone of gardens, flowers and blossoms and are best worn during the spring and summer months to complement the blooming season.
Another added bonus with floral fragrances is that due to the heat amplifying perfume bouquets, just a couple of squirts (and perhaps a quick spritz in your hair) will achieve the desired effect.
Citrus colognes are a perfume gift box essential and are designed for the long summers day.
As one might expect, citrus fragrances are mostly composed of strong fruity notes such as tangerine, bergamot and grapefruit. Although, in citrusy men’s colognes, Neroli is very common.
Furthermore, due to the strength of citrus perfumes, floral and chypres ingredients are often also included in order to round off the citrus.
Fun Fact: The world’s first Eau de Cologne was a citrus accord.
If you are buying a men’s perfume gift set for a man who loves the water, well that is when aquatic fragrances are at their best. Aquatic colognes are perfect for a sunny day by the sea, although they are also among the most versatile fragrances.
Also often known as ‘Ozonic’ fragrances, Many claim their aquatic cologne reminds them of the sea air lingering on their clothes.
Unfortunately, unlike floral perfumes where essential oils are extracted, science is still unable to put the beauty of the sea breeze in a bottle.
Woody fragrances are very distinctive and are known to remind people of nature through notes such as bark, patchouli, resin, cedar and vetiver.
Similar to other fragrances ideal for a men’s perfume gift set, woody perfumes can be split into different subcategories such as woody fruity or woody leather. However, unlike other fragrances, it is very rare to find a fragrance that is simply ‘woody’.
Fortunately, due to the influence in several other fragrance families, woody colognes, while best suited for the autumn, are very flexible. Although, they do better suit the rugged man rather than the refined gentleman.
Last but by no means least comes the leather fragrances who are considered to be the most formal cologne of any perfume gift set for men. It is for this reason that we advise you should avoid informal and casual settings and instead reserve the leather cologne for those formal occasions where your man is required to take charge.
Notes of smoky birch or bitter-smelling isoquinolines are unmatched in replicating leathery aromas while enabling the wearer to exude confidence and power.
There are countless gift sets on offer and you should certainly shop around. Although, we do invite you to consider our Fragrance Library | Perfume Experience Box. Not only does it include a vast array of perfumes, once the man in your life has found ‘their’ fragrance, but you can also get the cost of the experience box refunded when you buy the full-sized bottle.
We start this perfume samples UK guide with a brief commentary on pandemic trends.
Throughout lockdown, testing products such as in shops were rendered impossible and as more and more publications become online, the regular perfume are ever more elusive. Although, this may have been a blessing in disguise. While department stores were closed, you weren’t forced to decipher the different tester perfumes in the air of the shop as customer after customer samples after .
Nevertheless, testing in the real world and taking the time to analyse how it reacts to your is as important as ever. Fortunately, exist to fulfil this need.
Rather than having a small sachet or a quick spray, a small of the actual will contain all of the notes. This empowers an individual to truly decide if the ingredients react with your , but if that particular is the right one for you.
Simply Wear it
Of course, this is most likely why someone would have a in the first place. We recommend having a collection of and then test the different fragrances over a period of time.
DIY Scented Body Lotion
This suggestion is perfect if you have a date that evening. Simply add a few drops or spritzes to an unscented body lotion. The degree of concentration or strength of the is up to you.
DIY Dry Shampoo
You will need a couple of ingredients but it is certainly worth the effort. Apply some baby powder or corn starch mixed with your to your scalp to absorb any oil. A perfect dry shampoo solution if you find yourself short on time.
Add Some Variety To Bath Time
Bath bombs can sometimes be overbearing and a tester could be a subtle and magical alternative. Adding a vial to your bath water should do the trick.
Upgrade Your Underwear
If you have a sachet, then we recommend tucking them into your underwear drawers. Otherwise, apply a quick spray of your perfume samples to a drawer liner.
If you are interested in creating your own perfumed drawer liners, we have written a guide which you can find here
Spruce Up Your Suitcase
Once again, a sachet perhaps may be more appropriate for this suggestion. But we recommend putting your to the test by throwing an unopened into your suitcase before you leave for the airport. Depending on how long you are gone, the can last the entirety of the trip.
Store P In Your Shoes
Storing a sachet or giving a quick spray to your shoes will ensure you have the best-smelling feet and shoe rack around.
Tackle Musty Coat Pockets
As we approach the summer months, weather permitting, it is likely your coats will be living in a cupboard. Perfuming the pockets with a will keep the musty aroma at bay.
If you do find yourself in a coat during the summer, at least you will good doing it.
Freshen Up Your Wardrobe
Adding to your wardrobe can ensure that your clothes remain fragrant all year round.
Your Décor
Pillows, curtains, even stuffed animal, the opportunities are endless when testing your
Spray Your Linen
If an individual tends to be an undecided tester, we recommend they should sleep on it – literally. If you enjoy your at night as much as you do first thing in the morning, then it is definitely a keeper. (Of course, the opposite is also true.)
Freshen Up Your Mattress
With your linen above and your mattress below, you will struggle to find anything more enjoyable than fragrant surroundings.
DIY Carpet Refreshers
Simply add your tester to some baking soda and sprinkle the mixture across the entirety of your carpet. Once you have waited for 10 minutes and completed and vacuumed the residue, the results will speak for themselves.
Convert Foul Aromas From Household Waste Into A Pleasant Fragrance
The unpleasant contents of your rubbish are often presented by the aroma that leaks out of your bins. Dip some tissue paper or cotton balls into your and the placing them at the bottom of your bin before adding the bag.
Build A Light Bulb Diffuser
Add a few drops or a quick spray of your onto a cold lightbulb. Then when you turn it on, you have effectively made a DIY diffuser that will spread your across the room.
Design Your Own Air Freshener
There are actually a number of ways in which you can use as an air freshener. You may want to spray some fake plants, perhaps simply apply your as a room spray. There some cases of people even using their samples in Himalayan salt diffusers.
A Pet Deodorizer
We are no advocating spraying your on your pets directly, that can be very dangerous. On the other hand, mixed with some baking soda, light sprays in a litter box or couch cushions can eliminate those enduring odours.
Improve the of inside purse
The typical purse is full of all sorts of bits and pieces and with that comes all sorts of smells. Fortunately, it isn’t something that a quick can’t fix.
Car Seat Air Fresheners
Your typical car air freshener is dull and sometimes a bit stale. We think you would find placing a under your car seat to be an appealing alternative.
The Perfect ‘On The Go’ Solution
On those days where you are low on drive and energy, you will find having a handy that can give you a spring in your step rather useful.
Emergency Ampit Refreshment
While a spray would work, in this case, a paper would work best as the paper absorbs the sweat while the will add a refreshing .
Although this is only in emergencies – you should avoid using as a replacement for deodorant.
Scented Hair Accessories
People often use body sprays and mists to help their hair but due to the alcohol in , their hair ends up dry. This side-effect can be avoided if you spray your hair accessories instead. A spritz on a scrunchie should be plenty.
Give Them Away
Of course, the most straightforward course of action if you don’t want a is to give it to a colleague, friend or family member. Although due to their flammable nature, you may want to give it to them in person rather than risking an accident or confiscation by a courier.
Create scented cards
If you spray your cards directly, they will probably stain. But if you test a on a cotton ball and drop it in a plastic bag containing your cards, after a few hours your cards will be pristine and the will last much longer.
Glass Sachet
Using an almost empty of as a glass sachet can add a pleasant to your clothes if placed at the back of your wardrobe.
Upcycle the
When a has been emptied, it is by no means useless. DIY toiletry holders, crafts, decorative displays – the possibilities are endless.
Now, gather all of your samples and try out some of your favourite suggestions below.
If you are looking for a to find your and you are not sure where to start, we recommend our Perfume Experience Box
It contains 12 distinct fragrances and when you find one you like, we will subtract the cost of the experience box from the full-size if you decide to make a purchase.
If you wish to learn how to correctly test and evaluate perfume, you can read more here.
Are 70s perfume trends now making a resurgence and does it have anything to do with the Pandemic?
As we are emerging from lockdown, we are becoming bolder and a counter-culture is on the rise. Current anti-racist and environmental activism are direct reflections of how the 1970s were also defined as a politically charged decade. Once again, this freedom and expression are extending to people’s wardrobes and fashion choices.
If you are interested in post-pandemic perfume trends more broadly, we invite you to read our recently published article on the subject.
Throughout the 1970s, you would see men dressing in a more flamboyant manner with a rejuvenating sense of fun while also exaggerating their masculinity. Through web search data we can see a very similar trend emerging today.
Searches for flared jeans have increased by 45% and queries regarding psychedelics have soared.
Sales data shows that quintessential 70s items such as the jumpsuit, tank tops and denim have increased in demand over the past year.
Even the autumn and winter catwalk reflected a 1970s resurgence with representation from a range of styles from glam and rock to hippie and disco.
We hypothesise that much of the web search and sales demand mentioned above are influenced by some high-profile films set in the 1970s that are scheduled to be released in the coming months.
Filming for ‘The Tender Bar’, Ben Affleck has been photographed wearing retro bowling attire, flared jeans, clog-like loafers, a Cuban-collared jersey and a pair of aviators.
On the other hand, Lady Gaga is playing Patrizia Reggiani in a Gucci biopic set in the early 1970s and full of decadent Italian fashion.
But does this newfound enthusiasm for this classic decade transfer to the classic perfumes?
The hippie movement is a quintessential aspect of the 1970s and they certainly had their own unique scents. They were mostly either patchouli, sandalwood or tea rose attars.
In true ‘flower power’ fashion, people during the 70s would style the atmosphere of their surroundings with oil burners or incense which instantly produce an instant retro feeling.
However if one is to analyse 70s perfume trends, then it is perhaps best to start with some of the most iconic fragrances of that decade. e.g.
If you are looking for a nostalgic fragrance or if you wish to experience a time gone by, we recommend our Bergamot, Basil & Patchouli – Eau de Parfum
Are the expected Perfume Trends 2021, post-pandemic, a sign that a new ‘Roaring 20s’ is on the horizon? If the events that followed the Spanish Flu of 1918 are in any way comparable, it certainly seems likely.
The chief executive of L’Oreal, Jean-Paul Agon, certainly thinks there will be a return to the ‘Roaring 20s’ and stated the following recently:
In this article, we explore what history can tell us about what we can expect for fashion and perfume trends 2021, post-pandemic.
Here are some of the questions we intend to answer:
Not only has everyone struggled through a world war, but they have also just dealt with a pandemic in the guise of the 1918 Spanish Flu. Following this gloom, women were finally allowed the vote(with caveats) and more flamboyant and bolder styles were adopted as the economy started to boom.
The great style icons of the 1920s included Josephine Baker and Zelda Fitzgerald, who is attributed as the inspiration for many contemporary styles today. Perhaps the most iconic was Coco Chanel who threw caution to the wind with her designs. Mismatched prints, slouchy knits, two-toned shoes and strings of pearls are only a small selection of the ‘non-traditional, yet desirable fashion choices she was pioneering.
Amongst these rebellious trends, the 1920s wardrobe is also more typically associated with silk flat crepe dresses, custom-tailored suits, fur coats, short sport Jacquettes and woollen jumpers.
Just as the 1920s were an era of flamboyance, the fashion in the 1940s is also characterised as very colourful and bright with a large emphasis on fur.
A particular trend that is shared with the 1920s is the prevalence of the woollen jumper or jersey. In fact, much of the younger generation adopted the bright woollen jersey and the jumper dress or the pinafore as almost a uniform and a part of their identity.
Throughout the 1940s, particularly due to the rationing of material and fabric, no opportunity for creativity is spared. Even in the late 40s, you would often see extravagant lace and almost every form of embroidery imaginable. Not even the humble belt buckle was overlooked.
Of course, for men, the suit was as popular as ever – but the bellhop and cutaway suit became rather popular amongst women in the post-war era. Although this is argued to be more of an acceptance and enhancement of their femininity rather than an attempt to appear more masculine.
In regards to fashion, the pandemic has already caused the irreversible change. For example, many High street brands are now no longer with us, or they have pivoted to being online retailer’s only. Our clothing choices have also changed with many electing for tracksuit bottoms rather than Levi jeans, not to mention many fashion labels now releasing their own face masks.
Of course, it is unlikely that we will be wearing tracksuit bottoms and facemasks forever, but consumer behaviour and preferences post-pandemic are very uncertain.
Although, we have seen an accelerated economic and social change following a major human catastrophe. Most notably, after the Spanish Flu of 1918.
The idea of complete uncertainty is also further diluted by Dr Lucy Moyse Ferreira who explains that fashion is always changing for it is always reflecting the world as it is, including the fears and hopes of society. Currently, our hope is tied to the map out of lockdown which suggests we will soon start to embrace glamour as we become more optimistic. This could already be seen in the raves that were hosted in Liverpool and the Brit Awards.
The great Dr Moyse Ferreira explains how our fashion choices during the pandemic were a form of armour to protect us emotionally as well as physically from germs and pathogens.
As the threat (hopefully) reduces, we are becoming much bolder in our fashion choices. As sales for face masks go down, there has been a surge in demand for high heels, printed trousers, tulle dresses and pearl-studded jumpers.
Even in hard times, the fashion industry can expect to prosper as brands – as shown by Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin, who gained prominence during the 1920s.
When it comes to internet searches, the return to the workplace is also influencing key fashion trends. For example, in the USA, Microsoft has seen a drop of 26% in searches for “home-based business opportunities’ yet they have seen an increase of 28% for searches regarding ‘employment offer letters’ and 35% for ‘dress shirts’
There is certainly a demand for fashion that reflects pre-pandemic work culture.
As people come out of their shell there are six very curious trends that stand out:
This slow-fashion piece is now often seen sold on the High street with matching bra tops to be worn underneath.
Unlike the cardigan you would throw on the back of your chair at school, the smart cardigan is larger and chunky and wouldn’t be out of place on the shoulders of Coco Chanel with brogues and pearls.
The pandemic actually caused a consolidation of this slow-fashion movement as the go-to garment of the 21st century rather than a trigger for a fad.
Before the pandemic, they were already often worn with a blazer or heels. Today they are now neatly streamlined and able to hold their shape, making them a staple of any wardrobe.
The desire to own either the largest, glossiest and impressive handbag or the petite evening bag is notably absent. Instead, for the last couple of years and most likely going forward, the neutral coloured moderately sized ‘It-bag’ is the most sought after.
The bag combines minimalism and utility with glamour and it is just as comfortable in the office as it is on the catwalk.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘shirt dress’, the 18-hour dress is characterised by modesty due to the high neckline but yet also being a show-stopper when worn in all of their glory.
The sleeves are essential for comfort throughout the day whilst flexibility allows it to be worn well into the night on the dance floor. There will be enough detail for an individual to feel they are presentable and properly dressed, but yet not too fancy that they would feel getting changed into something more ‘comfortable’
The phrase ‘one size fits all’ certainly applies to the utility of the 18-Hour Dress.
This former fashion non-starter has now become a fashion statement. In the past, there have been many flat shoes such as fur-soles loafers and designer crocs. But in 2021, simplicity rules the day.
Classic loafers, simple shite trainers, or perhaps a ballet pump are now becoming a wardrobe staple.
The Saturday Morning Blouse is best described as being somewhere between the simple and sensible white shirt and a bright pink puff-sleeved blouse.
An individual would have most likely brought theirs from a vintage French market and either silky and rich or sweet-natured. It has proven invaluable in capturing the ‘vibes’ of a Saturday morning.
Although, it wasn’t just Covid-19 that we were dealing with during lockdown because 2020 was also a year characterised by activism for human right issues. Black-owned brands and brands with ethical and sustainable supply chains have become more popular than ever. Consumer trends are showing people are more likely to spend their money on brands that take a firm stance against injustices in the world such as climate change, inequality or discrimination.
We will likely see far more fashion brands adopting a circular business model that focuses on repurposing and recycling rather than discarding unwanted articles. In fact, as people started to cannibalise old clothes to create their own face masks, the consumer is also starting to adopt their own circular model of consumption by re-using existing clothes and being mindful when making new purchases.
Post the 1918 Spanish Flu, just like its fashion, the world was offered a wide range of different fragrances and perfume.
While Chypre perfumes do tend to be slightly more prominent, such as ‘Chypre’ by Coty (1917) or ‘Cuir de Russie’ by Chanel (1924); they certainly do paint the whole picture.
Oriental perfumes such as ‘Shalimar’ by Guerlain (1925) and Aldehydic fragrances such as ‘Arpege’ by Lanvin (1927) are also a part of such a diverse canvas.
However, it is undeniable that Chanel No5 (1921) was the most iconic perfume of the 1920s. Despite perfume still only being within the economic means of the rich, Chanel’s first fragrance was a commercial success. This iconic brand has been immortalised by both Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe.
The dark days of the war led to the desire for much fresher and lighter perfumes such as ‘Miss Dior’ by Christian Dior (1947). Once again repeating the trends of the 1920s, other chypre perfumes were also very popular throughout the 1940s, such as the spicy ‘Femme’ by Rochas (1944).
On the other hand, there is a key difference between these two decades that manifests itself through the success of post-war citrus fragrances. While citrus chypres such as ‘Moustache’ by Rouchas was popular, other citrus perfume such as the woody ‘Vert Vert’ by Pierre Balmain (1947) and ‘Acqua di Selva’ by Victor (1947) or even the minty ‘Green Water’ by Jacques Fath (1947) are just as iconic of the post-war era.
As can be seen in both decades, there was a massive explosion in perfume brands and their success almost immediately after great strife.
Alongside most other ‘non-essential’ industries, the fragrance industry was affected by the pandemic with prestige fragrance sales dropping by 8%. As people spent more time at home and often working at home, 49 % chose to reduce their fragrance usage. Although, throughout 2020, ‘high concentration fragrances such as Eau de Parfums were trending.
Fortunately, due to the technology available in the UK, we can look at perfume trends as they emerge through phenomena such as google searches and social media conversations. Reports suggest that conversations about personal fragrances are up by 11% since lockdown which tells us that similar to the 1920s and 1940s, the perfume industry is about to experience another revival.
Furthermore, through an analysis of google searches by Pinterest, three specific search terms stand out. In 2020, year-over-year, the search volume for “floral fragrance”, “earthy fragrance” and “spicy fragrance” increased by 25%, 34% and 35% respectively.
Rose was first identified as a dominant force back in 2021 and nearly ten years later rose is still just as iconic. This is in part due to the extensive variety of rose interpretations that are appearing in launches. Combinations such as ‘Rose Marshmallow’ and ‘Rose Eau de Toilette’ appeared as recently as late 2020. These innovations are not only created with ingredients such as rose absolute and rose centifolia, but also less traditional pairings such as red currants and magnolia.
We can certainly expect more rose interpretations in the future
Layered fragrances are not an innovation, in fact, they often come in and out of fashion. Currently, there are very much in-fashion as brands are focusing on scent collections and the offering of personalisation to create an authentic and bespoke sensory experience. To assist the consumer, many brands offer quizzes or questionnaires to help design each customer their own signature combination.
Due to the increase in online demand, many brands have been able to pivot from traditional sales channels and are instead adopting an e-commerce business model. The pandemic has demonstrated that the in-person experience is not essential in the sale of luxury perfume.
Although, direct t consumer models in the perfume industry have also expanded to subscription models and to experience boxes where consumers are allowed to test several fragrances and then only then pay for the fragrances they want to keep. The subscription model means the consumer is never less bored because they receive a selection of their preferred fragrances and perfumes that they haven’t tried before.
As the consumer looks for sustainable fashion choices, similar trends of sustainable fragrances have emerged. Specifically, brands are trying to meet the demands of raw materials and packaging. Some examples of steps being taken include recyclable materials forming parts of the packaging and ingredients of natural origin being used where possible.
To further limit waste, brands are now producing minimalistic and streamline packaging with many products also including the opportunity to buy refills.
Visit our online boutique to select the perfumes for your “Fiesta of Fragrances”. What will it be:
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