History of perfume: from antiquity to the present day

The history of perfume has developed hand in hand with human civilization, spanning extremely different eras and peoples. Fragrances have accompanied mankind since ancient times, playing an important role in cosmetic and social terms, as well as on a deeper spiritual and cultural level. From the ancient Egyptians to the perfumes of Ancient Rome, right through to today’s use of scent notes for branding and marketing, perfumes have always been a symbol of beauty, prestige and emotional significance.

As the heirs to this tradition, Scent Company’s Fragrance Specialists are dedicated to finding custom fragrances for brands that want to stand out from the competition, by creating engaging, immersive sensory experiences.

Perfume in antiquity: from Egyptian temples to the scents of Ancient Greece

It’s thought that the first ever perfumes were made in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a sacred gift from the gods. The Egyptians were the first to develop techniques for extracting essential oils, and used scent for various purposes. The upper classes used it for personal care, and it was seen as a status symbol. Scents were also an important part of religious ceremonies, to honour and connect with the gods, and in rituals connected with the afterlife.

The art of perfumery also spread quickly through the Hellenic civilization. Ancient Greek perfumes became symbols of sophistication, and were used in religious, social and sporting events. Producing fragrances was considered an art form, and Greek perfumers blended local herbs and flowers to craft unique compositions; here again, they were an integral part of celebrations and religious rituals. They were used to honour the gods, particularly Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty; she was said to apply perfumed oils to her skin, to enhance her irresistible seductive charms.

The perfumes of Ancient Rome: power and luxury

With the expansion of the Roman Empire, the perfumer’s art reached new heights of complexity and prestige. The ancient Romans imported exotic spices and essences from distant lands, such as India and Arabia, to create unique fragrances that became luxury symbols, reflecting the pomp and splendour of Roman society. Perfumes weren’t only applied to the body, they were also used in homes, temples, even public baths, in the earliest examples of ambient fragrances and multisensory experiences. Scent became a fully-fledged status symbol, flaunted by emperors and patricians as a display of power and prestige.

The root of the word “perfume” comes from the Latin “per fumum“, which means “through smoke”, referring to the aromas released by burning resins and other aromatic substances. In Ancient Rome, the most popular scents were used to celebrate special events, and for everyday personal care. Perfume also had a social and political function: gifting perfumes during banquets and official ceremonies was a sign of generosity and sophistication on the part of the host. Roman matrons, in particular, used perfumes as a tool of seduction, and to assert their social identity: fragrance was one of the markers of their role in society.

Perfumes in Medieval times, from mysticism to rebirth

The Middle Ages heralded a time of significant change in the history of perfume. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the art of perfumery declined across Europe, but the Arab world kept the knowledge and techniques alive. Islamic culture developed advanced distillation methods, allowing them to obtain pure, high-quality essences. The Arabs were among the first to perfect the alcohol distillation process for extracting and preserving essential oils, and before long, these new techniques made their way to Europe.

In this era, perfume would be used mainly for ritual and medicinal purposes. For example, it was used to purify the air, banish “evil spirits” and, in some cases, protect against epidemics, such as during the devastating plagues. In times of pestilence, an accessory called a ‘pomander’ became popular: a small ball, pierced with holes, it was filled with aromatic substances. It was worn as a pendant around the neck or hung from the belt, to protect the wearer from disease and bad odours; in those days, it was believed that aromas could cleanse the air and prevent contagion. Monasteries became important centres for the preservation and experimentation of perfumery techniques, and began producing scented waters that were used for liturgical or medicinal purposes.

The Renaissance was a time of rebirth for European perfumery, particularly in France and Italy. Italian master perfumers such as Renato Bianco, known as René le Florentin – who was Catherine de’ Medici’s personal perfumer – played a pivotal role in developing new techniques for making and blending fragrances. When Catherine left the Florentine court to marry the French King Henry II, she took her perfumer with her, contributing significantly to the spread of the art of perfumery in France.

The French court soon embraced the use of perfume as a symbol of luxury and prestige, and so the exclusive, unique tradition of French perfumery was born. The expertise of Italian perfumers combined with the French aristocracy’s enthusiasm for scent helped make France the world capital of perfumery, a tradition that has endured to this day.

The revolution of modern perfumery

The 18^th century was a watershed moment in the history of perfume, as the Industrial Revolution meant it could now be produced on a large scale. Up to that point, perfumes had been a luxury available to the wealthy few; now, they became more affordable, as synthetic ingredients and new production techniques came into use. The introduction of synthetic fragrance compounds made it possible to create scents with more complex, lingering accords, opening up a world of creative possibilities for master perfumers.

In the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the perfume industry saw the rise of maisons such as Guerlain and Chanel, and later Dior, which launched iconic fragrances that made their way into popular culture. These brands helped turn perfume into a symbol of beauty, and a mode of personal expression: a drop of scent could be used to convey elegance, modernity or independence.

Perfume today: scent marketing and olfactory branding

Today, the history of perfume has merged with contemporary trends in marketing and branding, forging a new frontier in brand identity. Perfume is now used in branding as a powerful tool to create multisensory experiences, which strengthen the emotional connection between brand and customer. In a competitive market, where consumers are bombarded with stimuli from every direction, brands are looking for ways to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression: olfactory marketing is a remarkably effective way to do that.

Creating custom fragrances, such as those we offer at Scent Company, makes it possible to associate a brand and its spaces or events with a unique olfactory identity. This influences the target audience’s sensory perception and creates a deep bond with the public. Smell is one of the most powerful senses for evoking memories and emotions; that’s why olfactory branding and emotional marketing are becoming such a key element in the marketing strategies of companies intent on providing one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experiences.

Olfactory marketing is used across a multitude of sectors, from luxury hotels to high fashion boutiques, residential complexes, spas and even restaurants. Fragrances come to be associated with a brand’s identity, helping to create a unique atmosphere while strengthening its positioning. In a world where the consumer experience is increasingly important, olfactory marketing is an exciting new frontier that offers fertile ground for innovation, and is only set to grow.

From ancient civilizations through to modern brand strategies, the history of perfume shows how scent has an extraordinary ability to influence emotions, memories, perceptions and behaviours. Perfume isn’t merely a cosmetic accessory; it is a truly universal language that has stood the test of time.

Scent Company offers innovative solutions in this area, which can transform your brand identity into a multisensory experience that is irresistibly appealing and simply unforgettable.

If you are keen to revolutionize your brand identity and take your customers on an inspiring journey, contact us and together, we can begin creating your immediately recognisable olfactory signature.