There have been plenty of things we're learning to do at home – cooking, playing an instrument, gardening – but we didn't think making perfume would be one of them. After all, attempts at smell-o-vision have not been widely successful, and we figured making perfume was one of those things you'd need to actually be present to do. But we were wrong.
Perfumier Samantha Taylor runs IRL scent studio the Powder Room in the Nicholson Building, which offers DIY perfume classes. But now that in-person classes are off the table for the moment, Taylor is offering her classes online.
Every student will receive a package with fragrance and use of the Olfactorium, a mini perfumer's organ (a deposit is required for the Olfactorium, as it is not for keeps). On the day, Taylor will take students through things like how to select and apply fragrance, a history of perfume, and of course, how to make their own. Each student will create their very own bespoke perfume to keep.
On September 19, there will be a special class devoted to the scent of roses. In it, students will learn about the rose's special place in folklore in history, as well as its use in perfume. The class offers the chance to smell roses from all over the world, as well as other raw perfume materials.
Everyone will also create their very own rose-based perfume, which they can put in a 15ml flacon specially engraved with their name. Also included is a rose elixir to add to a drink.
The normal class is $195, and the rose one is $250.
