Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Power of Fragrance


One sniff of this cologne and I’m transported back in time to about the age of ten watching my mom get ready for a night out with her grown up friends. She didn’t wear scent often, only for special occasions or while travelling by plane which of course, back then was a dressy affair. This fragrance is 4711, the famous cologne from Cologne, Germany. On nearly every trip to Germany my mom returned home with a bottle (as well as Nivea lotion and sturdy new shoes for all). I picked up this bottle at a thrift store for next to nothing, and while I don’t wear it, I like having it. I like looking at the bottle with its ornate blue and gold design. It comforts me and reminds me of those wonderful days in my youth when we jaunted overseas for long weekends to visit family and friends (we flew for free because my father worked for Lufthansa). All of these memories come back with a single sniff and for that reason I’ll keep this second-hand bottle forever.

My scent of choice has been Allure Sensuelle by Channel. It’s not a wimpy scent, a little goes a long way and it lasts all day. I’ve not come across too many other people who wear it which is a plus. If my children come across this scent or one with similar notes down the road in their lives, I hope it conjures happy memories of me and their childhood. But who knows what scents might trigger a fond memory (or a bad one for that matter), it could be anything -- baking cookies, a campfire, sagebrush after the rain. I am intrigued by the power of fragrance to instantly transport the mind to another time and place.


Do you have any powerful associations with a particular perfume or scent? Also I’ve been considering reading the novel Perfume by Peter Susskind about a boy who is born with the musical equivalent of a perfect pitch sense of smell. It takes place in 18th century Paris and takes a murderous turn. Apparently this was made into a film as well, any reviews on that?   

7 comments:

  1. I used to wear 4711 in college. I need to smell it again to find out what special memories I might recall.

    I used to wear Givenchy Ysatis. It has a very distinct scent and whenever I smell it, I think back to that time in my life. Hanei Morei is another one that takes me back to my business world days.

    A couple of years ago, I rented "Perfume" but never finished it. I supposed I wasn't in the mood. Let us know if you see "Perfume". I'd be wiling to try it again if you recommend it.

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    1. I find it facinating how a fragrance can instantly deposit you somewhere back in time. 4711 is very citrisy; a refreshing scent. It reminds me a little of Jean Nate. I put Perfume on my Netflix list so I'll get back to you after we watch it. Cheers & Happy Weekend.

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  2. I dated German guy in grads school who bought me the book Perfume. I read the English version, but still enjoyed it.

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    1. Good to know you liked it. I'm going to see if my local library can order it.

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  3. You might like Chandler Burr's (non-fiction) books on perfume. He does such a great job of putting scents into words. I included a favourite passage from it on my reading blog http://materfamiliasreads.blogspot.com/2008/07/stories-in-perfume.html
    My mom used to wear Chanel No. 5 and Lanvin's Arpège . . . love those memories. I'm always moving between a few perfumes myself, but wish for some that have been phased out Nina Ricci's Fleur de Fleurs, for example, the perfect soft summer scent, lightly powdery, floral . . . memories of buying it in France (was only available there) and of summer vacations . . .

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    1. I am intrigued. I will have to check out Burr's books too. The scent you love may have been discontinued, but the memories live on. Thanks for the book recommendation and for stopping by.

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  4. Arpege! My mother wore that too.

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