From Candle Maker to Perfume Prodigy: My Week in the Perfumery Capital, Grasse Institute of Perfumery, Forcalquier
The air was thick with the scent of lavender and jasmine, a symphony of aromas that welcomed me to GIP in Forcalquier; a beautiful quaint little town. I was there for one reason: to delve into the world of perfumery and learn how to elevate the scents in my candles.
*A Week of Olfactory Exploration*
As a candle maker, I've always been fascinated by the chemistry of fragrance. But I knew there was so much more to learn. With its rich history and renowned perfumery school, GIP, was the perfect place to expand my knowledge.
Joining a class of passionate perfumers from around the globe, I was eager to soak up every bit of information. Our master perfumer, a true expert in the field, guided us through the intricacies of scent creation.
*Unveiling the Secrets of Scent*
The week was a whirlwind of olfactory discoveries. We learned about:
* *The vast world of fragrant plants:* From the delicate petals of jasmine to the earthy notes of vetiver, we explored the diverse palette of natural ingredients used in perfumery.
* *The art of extraction:* We delved into the different methods used to capture the essence of plants, each yielding unique olfactory profiles.
* *The alchemy of fragrance:* We learned how to blend different notes to create complex and harmonious scents, understanding the delicate balance between top, middle, and base notes.
*A New Perspective on Scent*
My week in Grasse was a transformative experience. Learning about different facets of a scent was eye opening and yet left me wondering how much there is to learn. Learning about the chemical composition of molecules in essential oils & fragrances to smelling them in nature, this experience will cure in me for a long time to come.
I return to Hong Kong with a newfound knowledge about the ingredients and the art of blending. I can’t wait to put all my experiences to work to create even more captivating scents for our candles.
*Stay tuned for exciting new fragrances inspired by my journey to the Provence!*
Rhythma BERRY,
Founder CANDLE UP