Perfume Room

HAPPY 200 TO US! Almost one whole year later, enjoy this truncated live recording of the magic that is: SMELLS LIKE LOVE ~ the only dating show where the nose does the picking!With special presentation by dsm-firmenich's Justin Welch. APPLY TO BE A DATER &/OR GET SMELLS LIKE LOVE TIX HERE: linktr.ee/emmavern& use code 'perfume' for $20 tickets!!! V-DAY 9:30P @ CAVEAT - SEE U THERE!

MY TOP 20 FAVE LAUNCHES/DISCOVERIES OF 2025!!! with highly requested/repeat award show co-host: my mom, Karen! (Most of these shouldn't surprise you because I have been talking about them all year.)FOR TIX TO SMELLS LIKE LOVE/TO APPLY TO BE A DATER: linktr.ee/emmavernFRAGS MENTIONED:Courreges Hyper Musc, EM Molecule 01 + Iris, Nobile 1942 Il Colore del Vento, Roja Isola Blu, Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse, Lancôme La Vie Est Belle L’Elixir, La Vie Est Belle; Giardini di Toscano Celeste, Hilde Soliani Fraaagola Saalaaata, Meo Fusciuni Viole Nere, Ibrahim Fuhaid Orrisilla, Cartier La Panthere (Les Gouttes de Parfum), Param Sara The Mandala, Anti: Rosa Antiqua, Duke’s Carpet;Thom Browne Vetyver & Brut, Vyrao Georgette, Voyager Flashbulb, Villa Erbatium Mossy Glen, Harlem Candle Co. Eartha, Le Pere, Fzotic Deixis, Spoturno 1921(NOTE - there were many other frags I loved that for interest of time and/or sourcing issues, didn't make this episode! As in years prior, if could do a top 50, I absolutely would!)

In 2018, Sy Truong began studying (and teaching himself) perfumery. Six years later, he's the recipient of an Art & Olfaction Award, the founder and perfumer behind the internationally-celebrated brand Sylhouette Parfums, the perfumer of record for TOOUCH perfumes, and is shaping the emerging landscape of Vietnamese niche perfumery.Today, we chat about the perfume book that changed his entire life, his quest to embody his art, his self-image and how it shapes his style and aesthetic, and Sy shares the driving force behind all he does (in my words, not his) that we could all do a bit more of in 2026: ~LET UR HATERS BE UR MOTIVATORS!~linktr.ee/emmavernGET SMELLS LIKE LOVE TIX!SINGLE NEW YORKERS CLICK HERE!JAN SMELL CLUB TIX: coming v soon!!FRAGS MENTIONED:Amouage Jubilation 40 (SOTD), Stora Skuggan Azalai, Sylhouette: Poème Noire, Molotov Cocktail; Mugler Alien, Coco Chanel, Toouch: Smoky Graze, Heritage Nuzzle; Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule, ONE DAY

MARLOU perfumes smell like LIFE—aromas of existence shared across human, fauna, and flora. They’re Dirty. They’re Clean. They’re tender. They’re coarse. And it’s this very proximity to reality that draws its critics and fans alike. Founder Briac Frocrain welcomes all reactions and through his perfumes, invites and challenges us to reflect—what do we [humans] smell like? Is that dirty? Is ‘dirty’ bad? What is the function of perfume? What do we consider beautiful? And WHY. WHY. WHY.SOTD: El Morocco Highball for Lucius B.FRAGS MENTIONED:Marlou: Carnicure, Ambilux, Heliodose, Doliphor, PoudrextaseSAVE 10% on Marlou purchases on luckyscent.com with code: 'perfumeroom'FOR PERFUME ROOM DISCOUNTS, UPCOMING EVENTS, AND OTHER FUN HAPPENINGS: https://linktr.ee/emmavern

36 PIPIN' HOT TAKES FROM 36 PEOPLE. RECORDED @ STÉLE in NOLITA.Featuring:• CHRISTINA LOFF • ISABEL FINSTON • LOLA GUSMAN • JUSTINA SPARLING • KATE KHARASOZHENKO • MICHAEL NORDSTRAND • ARABELLE SICARDI • EMILY JENSEN • BILLIE MCGHEE • MICHELLE DELORENZO • ALISON RINI • LAURA HOPKINS • LIZ DYER • LIZ GERSHMAN • AMY SEIDEL • NOAH VIRGILE • EMILY BRUNSTEN • J.K. ROBBINS • JOEY ROSIN • BENJAMIN ESPOSITO • RYAN CAPOGRECO • CHRIS UNDI • JUSTIN CHARLES • ARIELLE SHOSHANA • AMANDA EISENBERG • CAIT GIUSTRA • DAISY BOW • MARGAUX LE PAIH GUERIN • SOPHIA COSTABAL • MICHAEL RYAN KARPINSKI• TEDDY HAUGEN • UGO CHARRON • AMEERAH MUKAYED • SUSANA MATALLANA • ANECHKAFRAGRANCES • MELISSA GANDARINHO • ♥ closing remarks from Jake Levy ♥(format inspo ~ Las Culturistas I Don't Think So Honey! <3)

A look back on 2025 and a look ahead at 2026.Which of my 2025 predictions came true ;) ;) ;) and what's coming in the new year? My thoughts with RECEIPTS, PROOF, TIMELINE, SCREENSHOTS [notes, accords, categories, concepts.]FRAGS MENTIONED:Param Sara The Mandala, Biche, Artemis, lil luv dog, Beastie, Welltayl, Odette Parfums Pas de Chat, Redoux Silver Lining, Nostos Calico, Demeter Kitten Fur, Papillon Bengale Rouge, D'Annam Mooncake, The Maker Dream, DedCool Mochi Milk, Clue Dandelion Butter, The Nue Co. First Milk, Melanie Martinez Portals Womb, Villa Erbatium Bambini Soap, Shalimar L’Essence, Coty Ambre Antique, Spoturno 1921, Chanel: No. 5, No 5 L'Eau, No. 5 Eau Premiere; Jouissance Le Bague D’O, Arquiste, Jorum Studios, Strangers ParfumerieBOOK A SCENT STYLING SESSION AT STELE! stele.nyc/emmaJoin the IG Live Holiday Pack smell-along this Friday Dec 19, at 4p EST on IG (@perfumeroompod) or Substack (perfumeroom.substack.com)

Spoturno is an haute perfume house bridging and blurring the lines between legacy and modernity. And it makes sense. Founder Véronique Spoturno is the great-granddaughter of François Spoturno (dit Coty), who's widely credited as ‘the father of modern perfumery.’ Véronique drops by the Perfume Room to talk family legacy, the vision behind the brand, and the debut collection created with Christopher Sheldrake (who is the sole perfumer for the entire brand).RSVP TO HOT TAKES LIVE: (pw: hotmic)https://stele.nyc/pages/12-5-hot-takes-live-with-emma-vernon-of-perfume-room-at-steleFRAGS MENTIONED:Escentric Molecules M01+ Cistus (SOTD), Spoturno Barbicaja, 1921, Barbicaja, Alphée, L’Âme du Phénix

Christopher Sheldrake is the nose behind numerous fragrances other perfumers only wish they had created: Feminité du Bois, Ambre Sultan, Chergui, etc. His style is at once deeply technical, classical, and avant-garde. Today, we chat about his prolific career, the creations he considers part of his personal canon, his unfiltered thoughts on the current state of niche, and Christopher shares the never-before-heard stories behind some of his greatest works.RSVP TO HOT TAKES LIVE: (pw: hotmic)https://stele.nyc/pages/12-5-hot-takes-live-with-emma-vernon-of-perfume-room-at-steleFRAGS MENTIONED:Spoturno 1921 (SOTD), Shalimar L’Essence (SOTD), Molton Brown Milk Musk, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, Serge Lutens: Santal Majuscule, Féminité du Bois, Rahät Loukoum, L'Orpheline, L'Innommable, Serge Noir, Chanel No. 5, Spoturno: 1921, Barbicaja, Alphée, L'Âme du Phénix; Giardini di Toscano Bianco Latte, Serge Lutens: Un Bois Vanille, YSL Opium, Dior Poison, Pour un homme de Caron, Serge Lutens: L’Orpheline, Féminité du Bois, Ambre Sultan, Chergui; Spoturno Barbicaja; Serge Lutens: Santal de Mysore, Santal Blanc; Le Labo Santal 33; Serge Lutens: Fumerie Turque, A la Nuit, Cuir Mauresque

Cammy (of @cammyreviews) is a PerfumeTok darling with impeccable taste and niche recommendations to scratch your every fragrant itch.  But her curation doesn't stop there. She’s as devoted to perfume as she is to gummy candy — equally discerning in both. So today, naturally, we smell perfume and eat candy!!WATCH FULL VID EP THIS FRIDAY ON SUBSTACK!FRAGS MENTIONED:Astier de Villattes Ambre Liquide (SOTD), Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, Tom ford Amber Absolute, Guerlain Shalimar, Regime des Fleurs Glass Blooms, D.S. & Durga IDK What, Hermes Terre D’Hermes, Mugler Angel, Ormonde Jayne Evernia, Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule, Le Labo Bergamote 22, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, Le Labo Labdanum 18, Boyd’s of Texas High Desert, Clue Perfumery Warm Bulb, Kierin Nitro Noir, Miller Harris L’Air de Rien, Liquides Imaginaires Blanche Bete,  Commodity Orris, Justin Beiber Someday, Glossier You, Fragonard Rose Lavande, Parfums de Marly Delina, Sol de Janeiro, Tale Fleurt, La Perla Once Upon A GardenCANDY MENTIONED:Jolly Rancher Gummies, Haribo Gold Bears, fruit slices, Jarritos Sour Gummies, Lifesavers Gummies Exotics

Amélie Huynh does it all: she’s a jewelry designer, art collector, historian, mother, and the visionary who revived the 200-year-old fragrance brand, D’ORSAY. Guided by a mission to honor its romantic and scandal-tinged legacy through a modern lens, Amélie’s era of D’ORSAY balances its storied past with modern perfumery. Today, we discuss why she chose to revive the brand, its evolution, her jewelry line Statement Paris, her family’s restored chateau, and you might even hear a brainstorm for the next eau de parfum, D’ORSAY E.V. 😏FRAGS MENTIONED:Meo Fusciuni Viole Nere, D’ORSAY: Nous Sommes Amants MD, Flower Lust Extrait, Sur Tes Lèvres EQ, A Coeur Perdu LB, Tilleul, Vouloir Etres Ailleurs CG, Dandy or Not GA, La Dandy; Chanel No. 19, D'ORSAY: Le Dandy Pour Homme, Holy Berry, Tonka Hysteria, Celine perfumes, D'ORSAY 21:30 Sous les Draps

Manuel Mathieu is a Haitian multidisciplinary artist known worldwide for his emotionally-charged, indefinite-form paintings, drawings, ceramics, and installations. His work is held in major collections, and just last year, he was named a Companion of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres du Québec.Three years ago, during a residency in Paris, Mathieu turned to a new medium: scent. What began as curiosity has grown into an eponymous fragrance line (Manuel Mathieu Parfums), which Manuel created alongside IFF VP perfumer Juliette Karagueuzoglou. Like his art, Manuel's perfumes evoke the intricate, layered depths of human existence.10% OFF ⁠manuelmathieuparfums.com⁠: code: perfumeroom10FRAGS MENTIONED:Maison Mataha Printemps Blanc, YSL Black Opium, Tocca Stella, Britney Spears Curious, Hanae Mori, Nonfiction Odorama Manuel Mathieu Parfums Dsire, Eccco, Île Noire; Chanel No. 5 MANUEL'S EXHIBIT AT THE PHI

Wait wait, Gap Dream was inspired by what? The initial concept for the collection began as... soaps? All this, and so many more amazing insider stories on the making of THE ICONIC 90s GAP SCENTS (Dream, Heaven, Om & Grass), with the visionary behind it all: Creative Exec and Entrepreneur, Gary McNatton! FRAGS MENTIONED:Diptyque Lazulio (SOTD), Jorum Studio Pony Boy, Diptyque Corail Oscuro, Chris Collins African Rooibos, Heath London, Creed Aventus, CdG 2 Man, Gap Dream, The Body Shop Rain, Van Cleef First, Molton Brown, Antonia’s Flowers, Giorgio, Dior Poison, YSL Opium, Gap: Om, Dream; Antonia’s Flowers, Hudson Grace OriginalSMELL CLUB: spookysmellclub.eventbrite.com

Born with a rare hereditary condition called hyperosmia, Joy Milne possesses a superhuman sense of smell—one so acute it led her to make a groundbreaking medical discovery: Parkinson's Disease has a smell. How did she do it? What might it mean for the future of diagnostic testing? And what other diseases and human conditions have scents?(SPOILER ALERT: romantic compatibility is one of them!)FOLLOW: @perfumeroompod | perfumeroom.substack.comSOTD: Maison D'Etto Noisette

Olivier Cresp, DSM-Firmenich Master Perfumer, Founder of Akro by Oliver Cresp, and literal inventor of the gourmand (!) is BACK in the Perfume Room! (AN HONOR!) Today, he reflects on his oeuvre including his signature, palette, and unique approach to perfumery. We discuss how new advances in technology will impact past and future creations, AI and its role in perfumery, how his creative approach differs for his own brand versus client work, and of course we discuss the newest Akro launch: Crush!WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON ⁠SUBSTACK⁠ THIS FRIDAY!FRAG MENTIONED:Akro Haze, D&G Light Blue, Akro Crush (SOTD), Light Blue (2025), Akro Rise, Mugler Angel, Akro: Smile, Glow, BakeTRY CRUSH! (10% LuckyScent orders $40+ w/ code perfumeroom10)

AI content creators, my perfume collection (!), and the bottles I am eyeing right now all ahead in today's quick solo catch-up! SOTD: Commodity Milk Orchid :) FRAGS MENTIONED:Commodity Milk Orchid, Le Labo Santal 33, Diptyque Orpheon, Le Labo Gaiac 10, Byredo  Mojave Ghost, Diptyque: Orphéon, Vetyverio (EDT); Fzotic Vetiverissimo, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 + Iris, Naomi Goodsir Iris Cendre, Jovoy Musc Pallas, Courreges Hyper Musc, Sana Jardin Vanilla Nomad, Diptyque Eau Duelle

PSA: You Don’t Have to Go to France to Study Fragrance!!In fact, there’s an educational, state-of-the-art fragrance lab right in NYC—at FIT, home to the country’s only collegiate Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing program. Today’s guest, Virginia Bonofiglio, is the Associate Chairperson (and professor) leading it all. Having held roles in just about every position in this industry over the span of her forty-plus year-long fragrance career (with many accolades and awards along the way), Virginia brings a rare real-world perspective to her classroom.Today we chat about her own serendipitous path to perfumery, she shares what students learn in the program, the wide range of careers in fragrance, and how you, yes you, can find your perfect path in this industry. FRAGS MENTIONED:Ex Nihilo Santal Calling, Escentric Molecules Molecule 04, Hermes Terre d'Hermes, DS & Durga IDK What, The Maker Lover, Elorea Gentle Shower, Bulgari Eau Thé Vert, Paco Rabanne Calandre, Coco Madamoiselle, Cabochard, Miss Dior, Joy Jean Patou, Giorgio, Boucheron, Bijan Bijan, Baccarat RougeLEARN MORE ABOUT FIT'S COSMETICS AND FRAGRANCE MARKETING PROGRAM!FOLLOW: @fitfragrance

Award-winning independent perfumer, multidisciplinary artist, teacher, and Perfume Papa Michael Nordstrand is in the Perfume Room this week. Today, we discuss the 3 perfumes he thinks everyone should smell, his favorite perfumer, finding peace and harmony with malodorous materials, fragrance concentration and other lies we tell ourselves, learning and then teaching the craft of perfumery, his burgeoning brand [Mythologist] and GOING METHOD.FOLLOW: @michaelnordstrandperfumer | @mythologiststudioA special thanks to our episode sponsor, The Raconteur!SOTD: Gap Dream!!FRAGS MENTIONED:Gap: Dream, Om, Grass, So Pink; Clinique Calyx, Parfums de Coeur Malibu Musk, Bath & Body Works Freesia, Louis Vuitton Étoile Filante, Hermès Barénia, Senyoko Paris, Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, LVEB L’Elixir; Hilde Soliani Fraaagola Saalaaata, Hermès Barénia Intense, Diptyque: Vinaigre de Toilette, Drogerie; Headspace Tubereuse, TALE Bad Lily, Mythologist

agustine zegers, Chilean olfactive artist and creator of agar olfactory and speculative scent lab, directs experimental scent spaces focused on expanding our sensorial tools to navigate a planet in transition.With perfumes that boast notes like hot fax machine, Mac carcass, mushroom gills, and yeasting dough, their work begs the bigger question: what is perfume and what are its functions?FOLLOW: @agar.olfactory | @speculativescentFRAGS MENTIONED:The Raconteur Daintree Rain Tea, No Tell Motel, Lord Lamington; Oddity Naked Dance, Zoologist Squid, CKOne, Clinique Happy, CdG Wonderwood, agar olfactory damp, cero, bit bit , cereale, matsu musk, damp; Zoologist Bee, The Zoo Club Design, Loewe WasabiThank you to this month's sponsor, The Raconteur!10% OFF THE RACONTEUR |code 'emma10' www.stele.shop

Givaudan VP Perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux generously returns to the Perfume Room to offer a definitive roadmap to the past, present, and future of perfume. Bookmark this ep. You'll come back to it. Rodrigo is a fragrance genealogist of sorts, tracing your favorite perfumes’ parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He offers a rare perfumer's POV on the current landscape: What’s trending? Why? What even qualifies as a trend? Should we care? And what's happening in the world today that will shape how fragrance smells tomorrow?WATCH THE FLORSTALGIA PANEL (coming this Fri)LISTEN TO EP. 136 (linked below)THANK YOU TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR THE RACONTEUR! 10% off full bottles of The Raconteur @ Stéle: code 'emma10'FRAGS MENTIONED:Sol de Janeiro, Phlur, Burberry Goddess, 27 87 Hakuna Matata, Mary Kay Velocity, Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild, Vacation Inc, Arquiste Tropical, Cire Trudon Merida, ARQUISTE Esencia de El Palacio Guayabos, Chanel No. 5, Guerlain Shalimar, Lanvin Arpège, Schiaparelli Shocking, Robert Piguet Bandit, Balmain Vent Vert, Carven Ma Griffe, Givenchy L’Interdit, Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps, Madame Rochas, Rabanne Calandre, Eau de Lancome, Eau de Patou, Eau de Guerlain, Estée Lauder Estée Super, Revlon Charlie, YSL Opium, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, Balenciaga Prelude, Estée Lauder Cinnabar, Fendi, Giorgio, Dior Poison, Ralph Lauren Polo, Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir, Davidoff Cool Water, New West, Calvin Klein Escape, Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey, Mugler Angel, Tom Ford Oud Wood, Donna Karan Black Cashmere, Clinique Happy, Isabell Calla, Ungaro Diva, Florstalgia: Violet, Carnation; YSL Paris, Eauso Vert Fruto Oscuro, Le Galion Bourrasque, Thom Browne: Vetyver & Brut, Vetyver & Rose; Xinu: OroNardo, Copala; ARQUISTE: A Grove By The Sea, Tropical; Roberto Greco Porter Sa Peau

Cécile Zarokian is one of the greatest independent perfumers of all time, but she wasn’t always independent, and she hadn’t always planned on becoming a perfumer, either. Today, she’s in the Perfume Room sharing how she’s redefined the rules of the game, turned her greatest challenges into strengths, and found the CZP edge—her proverbial captive if you will—that helps her compete with (and win against) the industry’s biggest players.FRAGS MENTIONED:Yves Rocher, Lancome Magie Noir, Acqua di Parma, Chloe, Amouage Epic Woman, Granado Bossa, Electimuss Vanilla Edesia, Amouage Attar collection, Nishani AniSOTD: St. Rose Juliet in WhiteThank you to this month's sponsor ⁠The Raconteur⁠! emma10 for 10% off Raconteur bottles @ ⁠Stele⁠ (now - 7/31)SUBSCRIBE: perfumeroom.substack.com for Smell Club updates!FOLLOW CÉCILE:IG: @cecilezarokianparfumeurTikTok: @cecilezarokian