Recent studies show that Gen Z in South East Asia considers fragrance purchases to be justified on the basis of getting self-care, self-expression and an affordable luxury all rolled into one product. This brief article is accompanied by a short video which dives deeper into the topic.

We’ve reported that fragrance as a category continues to enjoy double digit increases, but who could have guessed that teenage boys are responsible for 26% of the growth! In their tribe of “if you know, you know”, high end scents lend them cache, confidence and status while also being a means of asserting their individuality. Look to this consumer to shape near-future industry trends and innovation.

Move over Rue des Francs Bourgeois as Rue Saint Honoré in Paris’ first arrondissement is on track to be the best smelling street in the city. A bevy of brands, all on the verge of opening new - and in some cases their first - stand-alone boutiques, are going to join the neighborhood and bring vitality and new experiences to the quartier.

It’s said that nearly 80% of the Brazilian population uses fragrance is some form or another, contributing to Brazil’s #2 rank in global fragrance consumption. The market, which is full of particularities effecting price, product assortment and usage, is seeing growing interest in the international niche brand sector.

Affordable alternative? Copycat? Fast fashion for fragrance? The temptation of buying a fragrance at a fraction of the price of what it costs attracts many consumers to buy fakes. Is imitation the highest form of flattery? And are flankers the equivalent of in-house dupes? It’s a raging debate in the fragrance world, one not to be resolved any time soon.

For several years now the industry has been waiting to see what role AI would play in the fragrance world. Is it a threat to the job security of perfumers? Here’s an overview of how a handful of companies are employing AI: from sourcing to creation to customization.

Fragrance, the long-suffering underdog of beauty, has been the hero category since the pandemic. Will its’ rise continue or are there signs of trouble ahead? Some analysts see a slowdown on the horizon, while others believe it’s the niche category that will drive the excitement, leaving it ripe for acquisition deals in the future.

Esxence, the art perfumery event, celebrates creativity in fragrance, design and concept. In this article, take a look at six challenger brands from around the globe who bravely stand out for their unique, disruptive approach.