China’s fragrance industry is shifting focus from branding to developing native aromatic ingredients, as was highlighted at Notes Shanghai. However, ingredient innovation alone is not enough: brands must pair it with strong cultural narratives to stand out in an increasingly crowded and regulated global market.

It may be early days, but word is out that PDM is for sale as the American private equity firm brings in the big guns to close a deal. Although PDM has grown globally, expanding its retail network and its fragrance range, the climate right now is complicated to find the right buyer.

Comme des Garçons has always defied the norm, launching abstract fragrance creations since 1994. Never beholden to a marketing calendar, fragrances were released when there was something meaningful to express, often collaborating with artists, musicians, designers and organizations, bringing unpredictability to the olfactory realm.

The new Eldorado for niche fragrance may now be in Southeast Asia. With a growing appetite for grooming and luxury products, consumers are turning to niche perfumes which have experienced 120% growth in 2025. While they favor discovery in store then buy best price online, their preference for local brands is having a global effect on diversification of the global industry.

Istituto Marangoni Firenze has partnered with Vranjes Firenze for three years to create new educational opportunities in fragrances and cosmetics, including workshops, industry talks, and real-world projects. The initiative will also offer a co-branded scholarship and give students hands-on experience in fragrance creation and strategy, reflecting the rising importance of sensory design in luxury industries.

Have you ever thought that a brand’s history can actually help drive sales? Here’s a story of a big American brand that has been forgotten with a warning on why it’s important to preserve history plus a short list of actions that can be implemented to drive momentum and category growth.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of fragrance collaboration between designer Marc-Antoine Barrois and Quentin Bisch. With a vision based in slow perfumery, the house boasts just five perfumes, 2 extraits and 3 candles, including the internationally successful Ganymede and bestseller Tilia. The designer shares his vision for the future on the eve of opening a US boutique.