Bitter notes have been around for centuries and now they are back at the forefront in innovative compositions, ideally suited to hot summer. weather Bitter is the counterpart to sweet, and after all these years of gourmand fragrances being in the limelight, maybe it’s time for a change of taste?

The graduating class at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) was challenged to define the next big worldwide opportunities, given the uncertain times. Their takeaways? Not only do they say Beauty is set to explode in India but it’s time for the industry to give more attention to the “silver spender” who holds 50% of the world’s net worth.

The low key marketing approach of niche brands is winning over Chinese consumers who look for a point of difference in their olfactory signatures. Of course, social media presence doesn’t hurt either.

Heritage brand Guerlain has poured over its archives of objects to pull together a focused assortment which recounts the history of modern cosmetics. Stashed away in a secret location, we can’t help but hope the public will get a chance to view these treasures.

Raw materials are more than a commodity, they also support farmers, field workers and an entire supply chain network. Spain, a major supplier of lemon, lavender and aromatic plants, has found ways to cultivate land in depopulated areas, ensuing positive economic impacts.

What is it about niche perfumery that makes it stand apart from masstige, premium and all the other competitors? It’s not only the quality, the exclusivity and the attention to detail…niche perfume aficionados form a tightly-knit community of like-minded souls who are passionate about scent and who foster artistic freedom of expression. They seek an unparalleled scent journey that feels unique and personal.

The Oman based luxury fragrance house has just opened an impressive flagship airport shop in the Muscat Airport. The décor, which pays tribute to the heritage of the brand and to local materials, is the epitome of modern opulence.

The latest news in niche fragrance is the surprise acquisition by Kering Beauté of the uber successful brand Creed in a cash deal that came from nowhere. This represents a real coup for Kering’s new beauty division which was only announced earlier this year and has yet to flex its muscles.

The rumors had been circulating for months, and at last the deal is done. With private equity fund Advent International taking a majority sharehold, the brands will be able to fuel – and accelerate - global expansion.