Promoting innovation and high creativity in the development of Niche Perfumery and Cosmetics

2026 . 05 . 25 written by Karen Marin

Essencional's original content

The People of Niche Perfumery

Brands

+1

Notes from the Scent Front: The Guardian of a Living Perfume Heritage in Venice

Venice is much more than gondolas and the Rialto bridge: it is here that Western perfumery can trace its origins. Earlier this year our Content Director travelled to La Serenissima to dive deeper into the fragrance culture of the city today, and to meet with one of the leaders in artisanal Venetian fragrance production, Marco Vidal. A native Venetian hailing from one of the founding families of the city, here he talks about his stewardship for his brands, for the city of Venice and for fellow artisanal Venetian brands.

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2026 . 05 . 25 selected by Editorial Board

Marketing

Business & Finance

Fragrance lovers

The Niche Fragrance Market Has a Trust Problem

Gone are the days when we had faith in brands who were different, who were challengers and who were disruptive. The proliferation of fragrance launches has ushered in a plethora of overpriced brands we simply don’t trust and don’t believe. In this article the author shares several strategic moves brands can take to overcome the rise in consumer doubt.

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What can brands do to build back consumer trust?

2026 . 05 . 25 selected by Editorial Board

Events

Fragrance lovers

Perfume

Barnes Fragrance Fair 2026 (16th May) London: Event Report

If you miss the days of small fragrance fairs, then this is the one for you! Just over 40 British brands were present at the low key Barnes Fragrance Fair, now in its fourth year. The one day event, which also featured workshops and panel talks, is a democratic space for brands to get exposure and meet the public.

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4th edition of the British event for homegrown brands

2026 . 05 . 25 selected by Editorial Board

Technology and Innovation

R&D

Olfactology

Sneak Peek: Osmo Opens AI-Powered Fragrance Manufacturing Hub in New Jersey as It Expands Full-Service Scent Platform

For a few years now Essencional has been watching how AI is seeping into our industry. We bring you the latest from Osmo who is launching their Olfactory Intelligence platform, an AI-driven system designed to support fragrance formulation, development and manufacturing. Click through to the article for the full story.

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Osmo transitions to digital olfaction and scalable production
Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2026 . 05 . 25 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Perfume

Marketing

How fragrance brands are reimagining the in-store experience in 2026

How do you build the perfect fragrance boutique today that offers more than transactional interaction? In this article, the agencies behind several Parisian perfume shops talk about how they morph a physical space into an expression of the brand’s universe where olfactory and cultural discovery become part of the client experience.

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Translating emotion, meaning and service to the point of sale environment

2026 . 05 . 18 written by Karen Marin

Essencional's original content

The People of Niche Perfumery

Perfume

+3

Saskia Wilson Brown: promoting the independent perfume scene

One aspect that characterizes the artisan/niche perfumery world is the plethora of creative, visionary people who we find in the community. Essencional celebrates these individuals in a new feature entitled La Gente di Nicchia, or The People of Niche Perfumery. We kick off the series with an exclusive interview in which Saskia Wilson Brown, founder of the Institute For Art and Olfaction (IAO) in Los Angeles, talks about her organization’s mission as well as the subject of power and accessibility in the perfumery universe.

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2026 . 05 . 18 selected by Editorial Board

Trends

Perfume

Marketing

Cosmetics Business reveals the top 5 fragrance trends of 2026 in new report

The way consumers discover, wear and interact with scent has changed drastically in just five years. Not only a means of self-expression it’s also a subject of discussion and social exchange. This article points out five trends marking fragrance today from scent-stacking to personalization to slow perfumery – a topic to be explored at Esxence next month.

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Check out the article then follow the link for a 20 page report

2026 . 05 . 18 selected by Editorial Board

Events

Markets and Countries

Fragrance lovers

Iberchem Turns Barcelona Into a Living Fragrance Map During BOW 2026

Fragrance house Iberchem has created an immersive experience where visitors can literally travel across Spain by way of their nose. The installation, which includes 8 fragrances created by in-house perfumers, is a way for the public to discover the nation’s perfume culture and olfactory heritage.

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Olfactory branding expands into tourism during Barcelona Olfaction Week
Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2026 . 05 . 18 selected by Editorial Board

Fragrance lovers

Perfume

Brands

David Benedek: “LVMH’s support propels BDK Parfums into a bold new era”

Brand founder David Benedek looks forward to spending more time on creative endeavors while leaving the day to day to team members. In this article he talks about some of the priorities he’ll address in the coming years. Surprisingly, his strategy includes slowing the launch calendar and further developing existing successful scents.

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The niche brand talks scaling up thanks to the LVMH investment

2026 . 05 . 18 selected by Editorial Board

Ingredients

Olfactology

Fragrance lovers

Grasse, birthplace to Chanel No. 5, is experiencing a perfume revival

Did you know that flowers were originally planted in Grasse to cover the stench coming from leather production? Now under the direction of mayor Jerome Viaud, the city has been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site, and it’s experiencing a revival and renewal while preserving centuries old perfume traditions.

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Maintaining centuries old perfume traditions to ensure the finest ingredients