Innovation in fragrance creation, personalization and even training were on show at VivaTech, Europe’s largest annual startup and technology event. From creating your own fragrance to custom layering to creating a scent from environmental cues, olfactory innovations were numerous at this year’s fair.

We often say one of the challenges in describing a fragrance to the public is trying to use common language shared by all brands, all sources, all users. Jo Malone is testing a new system that puts the words aside to focus visuals instead. It will be very interesting to learn how successful the tool is: does it convert? Are people more comfortable with photos vs descriptions? Time will tell.

Brand founder Douglas Little is not one to shy away from controversial ideas or non-mainstream collabs. In this article he talks about how fragrance can set an atmosphere, transporting the wearer inside a film or a story, and how his projects have converted non-fragrance wearing consumers into loyal clients.

Vanilla as a fragrance ingredient is holding its own while showing versatility beyond its sweet reputation. Here is a raw material that works well with others, that can be multi-faceted and can cross genders to deliver a mature and mellow result. Discover some of the recent niche launches where vanilla has a prominent role.

If niche perfumery is an alternative to what we find in luxury and mass market segments, should it be any surprise that it is also the segment bucking trends? While there were a fair number of “on trend” fragrances on show at Esxence, there were also plenty that went their own direction. In this article the author finds a handful of novelties in which lavender, a staple in the perfumer’s palette, takes center stage.

The Art & Olfaction Awards for 2025 took place June 12th in Athens In this article, discover who took home a Golden Pear award. Essencional salutes all the contestants and the winners!

Italy’s love for beauty coupled with its unique network of independent perfumeries are key factors for the success of niche fragrance in this market. With retailers who propose a curated assortment, who offer service, and who provide an environment for discovery, this category is enjoying double digit increases.