The Sniff Perfume Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Linda Pilkington, founder of UK house Ormonde Jayne talks to us about her globetrotting adventures, what keeps her interested in the industry, and teases a brand new announcement about the future of the brand. 

Vicken Arslanian didn't found Commodity Fragrances, but he did RE-found it following the brand's demise. We talk to him about what it takes to bring a brand back, what the challenges are, and how doing so has changed his outlook. Vicken teases us with brand announcements and a new fragrance coming soon. 

Aurelien Guichard is one of France's top-flight perfumers. He has worked for brands like Nina Ricci, Guerlain, Gucci, Issey Miyaki and many more. Coming from a family who have been in and around the perfume industry for several generations, Aurelien talks about his life as a perfumer, as a grower of rose centifolia on his organic farm in Grasse, and as the head of his own perfume company, Matiere Premiere. We discover what is next for this vibrant brand, which showcases and overdoses a single main ingredient in each of their compositions and learn about life as one of the world's hottest talents today. 

In this episode we get to know sleek, sexy and modern brand 27 87 by talking to their founder, Romy, as she gets ready to launch the seventh fragrance in her line. We get hints on what to expect from the new release, and reminisce together about how lovely freshly made mint tea is!

In this episode I am joined by indie perfumer Karen Timson as we take a close look at one of her fragrances and break down the composition into individual facets. We also uncover some of Karen's scented memories and talk about what it takes to be an indie perfumer in the marketplace today. 

I talk to acclaimed writer, Stephan Matthews, about fragrance reviews, the ethics of the reviewers and influencers, and what fragrances he goes back to time and again in the vast perfume market. We touch on some challenging topics in this episode and there is one instance of minor swearing. 

We speak to Omer Ipekci from renowned indie brand Pekji, who has launched a new project. Called Disconnect, this box landed at the start of the pandemic, and explores themes of disconnection in a world which was to become increasing disconnected, but it's not all bad news as we shall see - disconnection allows for interesting forms of reconnection.

Please note: due to some technical difficulties the sound on this episode isn't perfect. Apologies. Back to normal next week!

Jorum Studio are one of Scotland's hottest perfume houses. Their fragrances are dynamic, unusual and seek to push raw materials well out of their usual tropes and cliches. We speak to the team behind Jorum Studio - Euan McCall and Chloe Mullen - about life perfuming Scotland's capital (and beyond). We discuss brand ethics, how they know what is elegant, how they work on their creative practice, and how Scotland itself helps shape the final scents. 

We look at memorable fragrances and brands, ones that really stick in the mind including scents by Angela Ciampagna, Neela Vermeire, L'Orchestre Parfum, Sarah Baker, Bedeaux, Karen Timson, January Scent Project, The House of Oud, Arquist, and Pierre Guillaume. 

What is life like as a working French perfumer in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world? We speak to Joelle Lerioux Patris, a talented and respected French perfumer about her life in Grasse, her creative process, where she finds inspiration and how she came to set up her business - Le Parfumeur Francais - which specialises in creating bespoke fragrances for clients around the globe.