This year, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we reflect on the profound bond that exists between mothers and children. This unique relationship has been a rich source of inspiration for countless perfumers and fragrances throughout history. The olfactory connection that develops between a parent and child is not only deep but also remarkably lasting, often serving as the initial spark that ignites a lifelong passion for scent and fragrance appreciation.
Many renowned perfumers have shared how their mother’s signature fragrance played an instrumental role in shaping their career paths. The scent of a mother’s perfume, lingering on a cherished scarf or filling the room as she leans down to kiss her child goodnight, becomes a permanent memory etched in our minds. These early experiences with scent lay the groundwork for our personal olfactory preferences, molding our tastes and shaping our emotional responses to fragrance for years to come.
Consider the Parisian perfumer Violaine Collas, whose most cherished scent memory is simply articulated as “My mother’s perfume on her scarf.” This heartfelt reminiscence encapsulates the essence of maternal love and comfort, distilled into an unforgettable aroma. Collas, who honed her craft at the prestigious ISIPCA school in Paris alongside legendary figures like Dominique Ropion and Maurice Roucel, has created esteemed fragrances such as L’Occitane Cerisier aux Papillons and Amouage Honour Woman.
In a similar vein, renowned perfume designer Azzi Glasser recalls the vivid memories of her mother preparing for an evening out, with the final flourish being a generous spritz of her beloved perfume. Glasser fondly remembers, “My first ever scent memory is when I would watch my mother getting ready for a party, and she would always wear her false eyelashes, put on her fur coat, and then the finishing touch was her perfume, which she would spray all over, leaving an unforgettable trail that smelled incredibly luxurious and exclusive. I always envisioned that one day, I would love to have my own perfume to wear!”
The influence of these scent memories is so powerful that numerous perfumers strive to capture and recreate them in their own unique creations. For instance, Bruno Jovanovic was inspired by the vivid recollection of his mother spritzing her fur coat with Cabochard before bidding him farewell. This memory inspired him to craft ‘Neo Fur,’ a contemporary reinterpretation of that cherished scent, developed as a creative project at IFF and devoid of any animal-derived ingredients. Jovanovic articulates, “I wanted to create an olfactory snapshot that encapsulated the image of her in that coat, along with the lipstick, her face powder, and everything else.” He describes his creation as a ‘vegetarian fur coat,’ allowing him to indulge in those memories while avoiding the materials used in the past.
Within the fragrance industry, there are numerous beautiful tributes to the bond between mother and child. For instance, Goutal’s ‘Petit Cherie’ serves as a younger version of ‘Ce Soir Ou Jamais,’ inspired by the affectionate nickname “Petit Cherie” that Camille’s mother, Annick (the founder of the house she later took over), bestowed upon her. Camille Goutal shares, “Petit Cherie was the name my mother gave me, and I recently discovered that it was also the name my grandfather called her – I found letters addressed to my mother from my grandfather that all began ‘To my Petit Cherie…’ The ‘Petit Cherie’ fragrance she created for me is actually a youthful interpretation of ‘Ce Soir Ou Jamais’. These connections and threads are incredibly significant to me.”
£94.50 for 50ml eau de parfum johnlewis.com
Angela Flanders designed ‘Precious One’ as a fragrant tribute to her daughter Kate, who later took the reins of the perfumery, having learned the intricacies of perfumery literally at her mother’s side. This exceptionally crafted, award-winning scent features a lush combination of fleur des nuits, tuberose, and jasmine, delicately resting on a base of soft, green mossy Chypre. It serves as a lasting testament to the enduring bond between a mother and daughter, surviving even after Angela’s passing.
From £32 for 10ml eau de parfum angelaflanders-perfumer.com
One of the most iconic fragrances that beautifully encapsulates the mother-daughter bond is Lanvin’s Arpège. Created in 1927 by André Fraysse for Jeanne Lanvin, this exquisite perfume was a heartfelt gift for her daughter, Marie-Blanche, on her 30th birthday. The name ‘Arpège’ was actually suggested by Marie-Blanche herself, who was a gifted musician. The elegant bottle, designed by Armand Rateau, features an illustration of Jeanne Lanvin and her daughter, inspired by a cherished 1907 photograph taken by Paul Nadar. This touching portrayal of a mother and daughter, exquisitely dressed for a ball, has become a lasting symbol of maternal affection within the fragrance world.
£30.99 for 100ml eau de parfum superdrug.com
Even outside the world of professional perfumery, a mother’s scent possesses a distinctive and powerful influence. Many of us can relate to the experience of catching a familiar whiff of a specific fragrance, instantly being transported back in time and enveloped in cherished memories of childhood comfort and maternal love. Numerous poignant anecdotes reveal that even years after a mother’s passing, her scent can provide solace and a profound sense of her presence during times of need.
To honor the women who have left an indelible mark on our lives, we must recognize the everlasting impact they have on our sensory experiences.
Whether it’s the elegant waft of a beloved perfume or the cozy embrace of a familiar scent, these olfactory memories connect us to our mothers in a manner that transcends time and distance. In the realm of fragrance, the influence of mothers on their children is a true testament to the enduring power of love, captured in the most fleeting yet evocative of forms…
Written by Suzy Nightingale
