Promoting innovation and high creativity in the development of Niche Perfumery and Cosmetics

2025 . 07 . 28 selected by Editorial Board

The People of Niche Perfumery

Fragrance lovers

Perfume

The Fragrance of the World: Nick Steward’s Slow Perfumery Revolution

Gallivant, the independent perfumer brand created by Nick Steward, is the epitome of olfactory armchair travel. Each scent represents a city with a real story based on an experience and moment in time. As the brand readies the launch of the new Gulf Series, Stewart shares his creative philosophy and his passion for discovery and travel.

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How time and patience drive the founder of indie fragrance brand Gallivant

2025 . 07 . 23 written by Karen Marin

Essencional's original content

Perfume

Noses

+3

AQUAFLOR: PARADISE IN FLORENCE FOR THE FRAGRANCE LOVER

Florence, Italy is a city of masterpieces, many of which can be discovered while walking aimlessly through town. The city center is dominated by the Duomo, the Belltower and the Baptistery whose bronze doors, created by Renaissance artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, were called the Gates of Paradise by Michelangelo. On a recent visit to Florence I came upon another gate to paradise in the Borgo Santa Croce when I entered the AquaFlor flagship boutique. This is a paradise for fragrance lovers, a multi-sensory moment of bliss that begins when enticing aromas, a refined décor and a warm welcome greet the visitor upon crossing the threshold. Zisis Kapsalis, fragrance specialist par excellence, guided me on my journey to uncover this precious Florentine treasure.

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2025 . 07 . 21 written by Laurence Arrigo Klove

Essencional's original content

Trends

Fragrance lovers

In My Car. Fragrance Does Make a Difference. Whatever the Distance.

Today's driving lifestyle experience includes fine fragrances. With the disappearance of leather seats or fresh pine scents, the driving space offers a new indulgence.

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2025 . 07 . 21 selected by Editorial Board

Fragrance lovers

Trends

Perfume

That Perfume Is Very Strong—and That’s the Point

For the past few years more and more extrait, intense and absolute versions of existing fragrances have been hitting the market. Is it based on consumer demand for greater projection? Is it coming from brands who want to justify higher price points? In this article several industry insiders give their take and the reason behind the trend.

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What’s behind the demand for high concentration scents?
Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2025 . 07 . 21 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Education

Why Emotionally Untrained Brands Lose Clients Without Warning

In a world of unbridled competition and rising prices, customer service is more valuable than ever before. An apathetic attitude, mediocre engagement and memorized conversation will turn off a consumer who won’t complain but won’t come back. A very interesting essay that for retailers and brands will make you take stock of your selling ritual.

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When service doesn’t meet expectations, the client won’t come back

2025 . 07 . 21 selected by Editorial Board

Ingredients

R&D

Events

Barcelona Perfumery Congress 2025 Celebrates Record-Breaking Edition, Marking Milestone in International Growth

Did you know Spain is the world’s second supplier of fragrance, after France? Its growing importance is evident and was highlighted in the recent Barcelona Perfumery Congress. The two day event blends a traditional tradeshow with educational workshops and conferences where topics ran the gamut from olfactory creation to innovation in perfumery.

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The two-day event shines a light on Spain’s importance in the perfume industry
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2025 . 07 . 21 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Marketing

Perfume

What Makes Someone Buy a Perfume They Have Never Smelt?

It has always been a challenge to sell fragrance online since we still can’t smell through our computers. Nevertheless, E-commerce contributes roughly one third of beauty sales, and not all purchases are replenishment. In this article a consumer psychologist gives insight on the emotional triggers that encourage blind buys.

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A consumer psychologist explains the phenomenon

2025 . 07 . 14 written by Karen Marin

Essencional's original content

The People of Niche Perfumery

Noses

+3

For Antonio Alessandria, perfume is a memory, an emotion, a dream

Antonio Alessandria is the consummate Sicilian gentleman with the style and elegance of a dandy and a non-wavering twinkle in his eye. At a young age he became enamored with fragrance, which in his opinion, is a form of art. He also believes there is a story behind every fragrance which can be revealed in an olfactory way. Impelled by his passion for perfumes, he followed a professional course of study then opened his own perfumery, Boudoir 36, in his native Catania, Sicily where he has built an unprecedented assortment of niche and artistic brands. Not content to remain a retailer, he developed his own line of fragrances which honor the culture and history of his homeland as well as his family and his memories. After a brief meeting at Pitti Fragranze in September 2022 I caught up with Antonio on Zoom for an exclusive interview which continues Essencional’s series focused on La Gente di Nicchia (the People of Niche).

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Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2025 . 07 . 14 selected by Editorial Board

Events

Fragrance lovers

Education

The first Grasse Perfume Week celebrates diversity of the sector

The fragrance community descended on the South of France for a week of conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and tours during the first Grasse Perfume Week, the counterpart to Paris Perfume Week. The event, organized by Nez, the cultural movement, was sponsored by the city of Grasse, Robertet, the Fragrance Foundation France and others.

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An “open-house” of events celebrated the fragrance industry

2025 . 07 . 14 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Perfume

The People of Niche Perfumery

The Fragrance Shop appoints Chief Brand Officer for new brand retail concept

Industry veteran Vesa Kalho is set to steer the Fragrance Shop’s new niche concept, Fraegra. Currently under development, it marks the clear recognition of the growing importance of niche perfumery in the fragrance sector. Kalho recently participated at Esxence where he shared his expertise on how brands can appeal to retailers.

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Vesa Kalho, formerly at Fenwick, to head up a niche fragrance concept