Perfume Exploration: The Floral Aldehyde, with Minetta Rogers (in person)

Join Minetta Rogers for a course incorporating smelling, reading, and perfume-blending sessions as you learn about the perfume category of aldehydic floral!

From No. 5 to more modern interpretations, the aldehydic floral has captured the hearts and wallets of generations of perfume enthusiasists. What do these perfumes smell like and why were they so beloved?

Over three session at the Institute for Art and Olfaction, the course will provide an overview of the perfume style as we smell through key floral aldehydic perfumes, read about and discuss their cultural meanings, and attempt to make our own!

Sessions:

Class 1: Sunday, February 15: Introductions and smelling through the category

In this class, we will review the syllabus and dive in by smelling historically important aldehydic floral perfume category with fine fragrances shared from the Institute for Art and Olfaction perfume library collection.

Class 2: Sunday, February 22: No. 5, revisited

In this class, we’ll smell through one of the defining aldehydic florals while examining it through various critical lenses and historical moments. During this class, we’ll review its importance through the words of its contemporaries, current perfume critics and writers, and even investigate some of its more outrageous off-label uses.

Class 3: Sunday, March 1: Experimental Perfume Design - Blending Challenge

In this class, we’ll return to some of the key aromatic materials we’ve smelled previously, now in a more hands-on manner as we’re introduced to the basics of perfume-blending. In a playful but educational setting, we’ll experiment with and compose individual short formulas paying homage to the aldehydic floral. Finally, each participant will expand their favorite formula to take one a spray vial containing their experimental blend paying tribute to the aldehydic floral perfume category.

Between classes: There is homework between each class that is required. This involves both reading and smelling and will take between 1 and 2 hours.

Topics covered:

+ Introduction to the perfume category - smelling and discussion
+ Introduction to key perfume materials - smelling
+ Introduction to perfume blending

Take-Aways:
+ Reading + smelling materials (included in the cost of registration)
+ Short formulas and spray vial of scent blend

Safety Note:

Some aromatic materials can have side effects when applied to skin. The information and teaching materials presented in our classes are for educational purposes only. These are not intended for commercial use and do not necessarily reflect commercial best practices or industry safety standards. For more information about commercial best practices and safety, consult the relevant authorities in your country of residence.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Trained in architecture and design, Minetta Rogers is the director of programs at the IAO and has been teaching newcomers to perfumery for almost a decade. Drawing inspiration from the design approaches that she learned through her studies in architecture and in the field, she brings an approach to education that is rooted in facts, curiosity supported by rigorous research, and design strategies.

LOCATION

Location: We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street that also hosts galleries, souvenir shops, production companies, design studios, and two very cool parrots. The IAO is wheelchair accessible.

Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012 (213) 616-1744 hello@artandolfaction.com

To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit

ATTENDANCE AND CANCELLATION POLICY FOR IN PERSON CLASSES

Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you.

When we host a class or workshop, we often order the materials to be used in the class well in advance, based on how many people have signed up (and padding a bit for safety). We also use class proceeds to pay our teachers. Although we realize that life has a funny way of getting in the way of the best laid plans, as a small non-profit we cannot afford to carry the burden of lost proceeds and materials.

Note also that event tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Thank you for understanding!

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Image credits: Photo from the Institute for Art and Olfaction.