168. [COMMODITY RE-FOUNDER VICKEN ARSLANIAN] Niche is a Mindset, oh and, ORRIS IS BACK!

A *FASHIONABLY* late best-of 2024 ep. A SMELL-ALONG OF 25 PERFUMES I LOVED MOST IN 2024 INCLUDING:my fav affordable discoveriesmy fav (not new) discoveriesmy fav 2024 launchesPlus, enjoy...my motha!!Part 2 of our quest will air on Substack, this Friday :)SHOP THESE PERFUMES ⁠ (shopmy.us/collections/1086522) and check out my even more of favorites from 2024!FRAGS MENTIONED:Mango Le Silence, Granado Violeta, BBW If You Musk, Glossier You, Liis Studied, Essential Parfums Divine Vanille, Diptyque: Orpheon, Benjoin Boheme, Eau Capitale; Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo, Fzotic Vetiverissimo, Keiko Mecheri Oliban, Sana Jardin Vanilla Nomad, Guerlain Oud Nude, Fischersund 101, Fueguia Tierra del Fuego, Atelier des Ors Choeur des Anges, Ex Nihilo Santal Calling, Kenzo Parfums d’Ete, Serge Lutens Miel du Bois, Giorgio, Guerlain Shalimar, Ambre Blends, Dusita Pelagos, Odette Parfum Co. Rose Adage, Tsu Lange Yor Sala, Eauso Vert Fruto Oscuro, Mugler Angel, Jouissance Le Bague D’O, Amouage Jubilation 40, Atelier Materi Cedre Figalia, Universal Flowering Seduction Theory, Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir, Chris Collins Lust Oud Delice, Bianco Profumo Neroli Pomodoro, 4711, Marc-Antoine Barrois Tilia

Perfume & Pain author Anna Dorn is in the Perfume Room this week (and 2nd*** author - oops)! How did Anna weave perfume into both plot and character development of the story? What perfumes is she wearing IRL? Why does each character smell like they do? All this and more ahead in today's ep :)FOLLOW ANNA: @___adornENJOY more from Anna this Fri on SubstackSOTD: Penhaligon's Fortuitous FinleySHOP COMMODITY ORRIS (through April 8)FRAGS MENTIONED:Penhaligon's Fortuitous Finley, MFK Kurky, Penhaligon's Omniscient Mr. Thompson, Chanel Sycomore, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Arquiste Architect’s Club,  Maison Louis Marie No. 5 Kandilli, Robert Piguet Fracas, Stora Skuggan Moonmilk, Nasomatto Narcotic V; Katy Perry Purr, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs EDP, Chanel Sycomore, Hiram Green Moon Bloom, Arquiste Flor y Canto, Chapel Factory Baptisme, Nissaba Grand Ile, Neutrogena Rainbath, Ralph Lauren Ralph, Moonmilk, Escentric Molecules M01, Sycomore

HAPPY FRAGRANCE WEEK! Enjoy a catch-up with past guest, Vicken Arslanian. As CEO of three flourishing fragrance companies—Europerfumes (the leading US niche perfume distributor), Twisted Lily, and Commodity—Vicken is, bar none, one of the most interesting, successful, and busiest(!) leaders in the industry. Today, he's back with brand-new pipin' hot takes, personal family stories, and of course, the news we've been waiting on for three years to hear: COMMODITY ORRIS IS BACK (for now). NOW-APR 8, buy Commodity Orris:https://commodityfragrances.com/pages/coming-soon-editionsFRAGS MENTIONED:Essential Parfums, Estee Lauder Pleasures, Le Labo Another 13, Escentric Molecules, Mugler Angel, Commodity Milk, Tom Ford, Commodity Orris, YSL Rive Gauche, JHAG, Thompson Ferrier, Rigaud Candles, Commodity Juice, Issey Miyake L'Eau D’Issey LISTEN TO VICKEN’S 1st EP: rb.gy/6tb3cpFOLLOW: @commodityUnfortunately tix for the Orris event are now sold out. To be the first to know about future events, subscribe below:perfumeroom.substack.com

Robin Mason, dsm-firmenich's President of Fine Fragrance NAM, is in the Perfume Room this week! A lifelong beauty executive whose corporate background spans across retail, marketing, and sales on both the brand and supplier of the biz, Robin is not only an esteemed leader of the industry, she's a wealth of knowledge. Today, we are lucky to reap the benefits. Robin explains what it means to be the President of Fine Fragrance at one of the biggest fragrance suppliers and innovators in the world. She walks us through the various corporate fragrance roles that exist, how she motivates and inspires her organization, industry trends and innovations, and shares personal stories surrounding her lifelong connection to perfume.www.dsm-firmenich.comFRAGS MENTIONED:Glossier: Reve, Doux; Aramis, Oscar de la Renta Oscar, Cacharel Anais Anais, Le Labo Santal 33NOW-APR 8, buy Commodity Orris:⁠https://commodityfragrances.com/pages/coming-soon-editions⁠

Perfume content creator Emma (Perfumerism) has traded in her Toronto address for a Paris one to attend perfumery school! Today we chat about her new Parisian life, learning the lingo of perfume, how to actually memorize smells, and navigating the duality of being BOTH a highly successful content creator AND student of the industry simultaneously.FOLLOW EMMA: @perfumerismNOW-APR 8, buy Commodity Orris:⁠https://commodityfragrances.com/pages/coming-soon-editions⁠FRAGS MENTIONED:Courrèges Hyper Musc (SOTD), J-Scent On a Cloud, D&G Devotion, BBW: Loyal to You, Covered in Roses, If You Musk; Liis Studied, Merit Retrospect, Glossier You, Fragrance du Bois Santal Complet, Oud Jaune Intense; Irish Spring, Giorgio Armani Si Roses, Parfums de Marly Delina, Xerjoff Lira, D&G L’Imperatrice, Tom Ford Noir Extreme, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Coconut Fizz, LUSH Super Milk, Chanel No. 5, Kilian Bamboo Harmony, Armani Prive Thé Yulong, Jijide Oltre, Snif Crumb Couture, Van Cleef & Arpels Neroli Amara, PdM Valaya, Discotheque Lola at the Coat Check, D’Annam White Rice, Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte, Le Petit Marseillais Fleur D'Oranger

Are you practicing correct mouilettiquette?? Find out today with Hoax Parfum Co-Founder and Perfumer Joey Rosin! Hoax is a bespoke fragrance design and consultancy boutique, and Joey is its resident nose. In his short time as an independent perfumer, Joey has made waves in the industry landing notable projects like Sable Yong's Die Hot with A Vengeance, Tsu Lange Yor’s Sala, and many fun fragrances you'll surely be smelling soon!FOLLOW:@hoaxparfum |hoaxparfum.comSMELLS LIKE LOVE TIX:https://www.caveat.nyc/events/perfume-room-presents-smells-like-love-2-15-2025LILAC SMELL CLUB: lilacsmellclub.eventbrite.comREAD HIGHSNOB ARTICLE:https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/how-to-become-a-perfumer/FRAGS MENTIONED:Vyrao Georgette (SOTD & gifted), Axe: Apollo, Phoenix, Dark Temptation; Old Spice, Imaginary Authors, D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass, Debaser; Tsu Lange Yor Sala, Die Hot With A Vengeance, Floratica, Headspace: Absinthe, Tubereuse

Kitten fur, Chantilly cream, and Île Flottante are just some of the magical fantasy accords you'll experience in Odette Parfum Co. fragrances. This week, Founder/Perfumer Odette Fontaine jetés into the Perfume Room to tell us all about it. A baker by day, Odette knows gourmands--which makes nailing them in her compositions even more important. She shares how she's learned this olfactive art (minus for peer feedback, Odette is entirely self-taught!), the ballets that inspire her most, her favorite materials, and so much more! SHOP ODETTE: odetteparfumco.com @odetteparfumco SMELLS LIKE LOVE TIX BE A DATER ON THE SHOW SOTD: Cartier La Panthere Les Gouttes de Parfum Concentre FRAGS MENTIONED: Cartier Panthere, Armani Si, Odette: Rose Adage, Amants Maudits, Pas de Chat; Chanel No. 5, Givenchy L’Interdit, Odette: Rose Adage, Moulin Rose, Petit Gateau, Amants Maudit, Coup de Pied, Pearfat La Befana, Les Chassons Rouge, Moulin Rose; Hilary Duff With Love, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, Reminisce Ambre, Annick Goutal Vanille Exquise, Santa Maria Novella Vaniglia, Chloe EDP, Guerlain Shalimar Tonka

What did I get right in my 2024 predictions & what's coming in 2025??? What is the lifecycle of a trend? Plus: my ins-and-outs for the new year. GE T TIX ~ SMELLS LIKE LOVE DATER APPLICATION (!!!) FRAGS MENTIONED: SOTD: Chris Collins Danse Sauvage*, Arquiste Little Paws, Jorum Studio Pentimento, MFK Absolue Pour Le Soir, Thameen Bravi*, Maison D’Etto Verdades*, Regime des Fleurs Nitesurf Neroli, Electimuss Caspian Cherry*, Snif Honey Suite, Chris Collins Lust Oud Delice*, Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir*, Bon Parfumeur Iris Cartagena*, Chasing Scents Private Teahouse, Atelier Des Ors Cocoa Kimiya, Regime des Fleurs Fleur Eclair, Binaurale Supersolid*, Dior Sauvage Eau Forte, Thin Wild Mercury Sheep Meadow*, Orebella Salted Muse, Dries Van Noten Camomile Satin, House of Brandt London Fog, Fzotic Lilac Brûlée*, J’Adore Dior, Mitsouko, Sarah Baker Peach’s Revenge, Frederic Malle Acne Studios, Guerlain Peche Mirage, ELdO Secretions Magnifiques, Parfums de Nicolai Saint Honore, Ourside Nostalgia*, Chanel No. 5, Parle Moi du Parfum Comete Paradis 62, Chanel Comete, Maison Crivelli Tubereuse Astral*, Fugazzi Angel Dust, Mabelle O'Rama Lunar Dust, Binaurale Supersolid * = smelled and/or gifted in PR (w/ no expectation of review) (RECENT) PAST TREND CONTENT BELOW: 2024 TREND PREDICTIONS EP (Ep 123) HIGHSNOB ARTICLE (2024 Note Trends) NYFW TRENDS (Ep 111 - w/ Alex Pauly) SPRING TRENDS (w/ Fat Mascara)

Perfumer Mabelle O'Rama is in the Perfume Room this week! Mabelle is a Lebanese-British perfumer based in London, and founder of the eponymous perfume line, Mabelle O’Rama. In a just a few years Mabelle has already made a name for herself, with accolades from both the UK Fragrance Foundation Awards and IAO Awards. Today, we chat about how she learned perfumery, the process of starting a brand, how her taste has evolved as a consumer now that she's a perfumer, navigating imposter syndrome, smells of Lebanon, and so much more. SOTD: Electimuss Caspian cherry* JOIN SMELL CLUB: ⁠saltysmellclub.eventbrite.com⁠ SMELLS LIKE LOVE TIX: ⁠https://www.caveat.nyc/events/perfume-room-presents-smells-like-love-2-15-2025⁠ SINGLE? CLICK HERE: ⁠https://airtable.com/appCScx0jLQIMRJAA/shrVKnkchzca9rAVw⁠ FOLLOW MABELLE: mabelle_orama GET 10% OFF MABELLE O'RAMA SCENTS (code: perfumer00m): https://www.luckyscent.com/search?gsearch=mabelle FRAGS MENTIONED: Electimuss: Caspian Cherry*, Vanilla Edesia,* Spice D'Arno,* Cupid's Kiss*; Mabelle O’Rama Phoenix Flame, Hermes Rose Ikebana, Stella McCartney Stella, Mabelle O’Rama Lunar Dust, Phoenix Flame, Forbidden Bloom; Diffractive Studio Pop Culture, Sarah Baker, Maya Njie: Vanilj, Les Fleurs, Orto Parisi Viride, Mizensir Tres Chere, Penhaligon's, Floris, Creed * = gifted with no expectation of review

Perfume Room darling (oh, and Grammy-nominated artist) Dave 1, of electro-funk duo Chromeo, graces us with his presence yet again! In 2025's most tender game of show-and-tell to date, Dave brings me five scents he thinks I’ll enjoy, and I do the same for him. Then, WE SMELL THEM. This one's fun. Smells Like Love tix: https://www.caveat.nyc/events/perfume-room-presents-smells-like-love-2-15-2025 apply to be a dater on the show: https://shorturl.at/4jls9 subscribe: perfumeroom.substack.com FRAGS MENTIONED: Celine: Reptile, Bois Dormant; MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Mugler Angel, Lubin: Korrigan, Itasca, Idole; Akro Ink, Celine Nightclubbing, D’ORSAY A.C., Fueguia Yakeñ, Dior Sauvage, Guerlain Vetiver, Chanel Sycomore, L'Artisan Timbuktu, Fzotic Vetiverissimo, Frederic Malle: Rose Tonnerre, French Lover; Guerlain Angelique Noire, CoSTUME NATIONAL Soul, Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady, Guerlain Shalimar, Jorum Studio Gorseland, Guerlain Bois D’Armenie, Infiniment Coty Aristo Chypre, Dior Bois D’Argent, Gabriella Chieffo Lye, CdG Avignon, Le Labo Santal 33, Dior Eau Noire, Naomi Goodsir IrIs Cendre, Neandertal Them, Dusita Pelagos, Celine Bois Dormant, CoSTUME NATIONAL Homme Parfum