In this final installment of our Soviet Perfume series, we journey through the shifting landscape of fragrance production from the post-revolutionary period to modern-day Russia. Discover how perfume served not only as a reflection of state values but also as a cherished part of everyday life. With historical insights, personal stories, and iconic scents, this chapter captures the essence of a bygone era that still lingers in bottles and memories.

Chapter 2 of Soviet Perfume dives into the glamorous, gritty origins of Russian fragrance. Meet the visionary entrepreneurs who laid the foundations of the industry in pre-revolutionary Russia. Meet the noses, from Ernest Beaux’s path to Chanel No. 5 to Auguste Michel’s transformation of an imperial scent into the Soviet icon Red Moscow. Discover the fearless women advocates who forever changed the fate of fragrance in Soviet times.

At the end of 2024 I had accidentally stumbled across the story of Soviet Perfume while having a chat with Lutz Hermann, Founder and Creative Director of Berlin-based J.F. Schwarzlose and another with Olga Petrouchenko, founder Perfume Walks. My curiosity led to research and interviews which form the basis of this three-part series. I hope the story will fascinate you as much as it did me.

Tea and perfumery share a deep connection, where taste and scent harmonize beautifully. In part 2 of this exploration, a tea maestro guides us through the intricate profiles of tea, revealing its aromatic notes, terroirs, and traditional methods alongside innovations shaping the industry. We also uncover how the art of tea blending parallels and inspires perfume composition, crafting evocative experiences that captivate the senses and celebrate the interplay of two extraordinary worlds.

In Western countries, there’s no place like Great Britain that has a close connection with tea, and the afternoon tea rituals. Who can forget Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice in Wonderland, or more recently the hilarious scene in The Second-Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), where Maggie Smith's character, Muriel Donnelly, delivers her wry British wit with a side of tea commentary? Her insistence on a proper cup of tea, no matter the foreign surroundings, perfectly captures the beverage's universal yet deeply personal appeal in various cultures.

Perfume Culture Happenings never disappoint when it comes to meeting people who take a stance on ethics and aesthetics, especially in the ever evolving and often volatile perfume industry. Surely a reference in this sense is perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, and it was through him and Roberto Drago—a pillar of the Italian niche perfumery—that I was introduced to Frédérique Rémy. We first met in Turin, during the 2019 edition of the Per-Fumum Torino event, and from the very beginning, she left a lasting impression.

Perfume capitals from Paris to London to NYC are buzzing with bold new openings — and some unexpected challengers. Where will the next scent revolution bloom? Dive into the latest retail happenings and celebrate 50 years of fragrance mastery with Carlos Benaim and Maurice Roucel in this month’s editorial.

We at Essencional are already in the festive spirit, so instead of a business feature, we’re wrapping up the year with a holiday-inspired romp… one that might be closer to reality than you think.

Our Content Director, Karen Marin, had a little fun with the classic poem, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”. Sit back, get cozy, pour yourself a warm drink, and enjoy our festive fable. We hope it brings a smile and a laugh as you head into the holidays.