The rose possesses a mystical and elusive essence that poets, artists, and perfumers have sought to capture throughout the ages.
Roses are ubiquitous today and a key ingredient in fragrances created by master perfumers and fragrance design companies. Yet, just a decade ago, they belonged to a category of perfumes considered old-fashioned and outdated.
The complex fragrance of the rose
The scent of flowers generally changes over time and throughout the day. Roses are harvested in early summer during the early morning hours because that is when their scent is strongest.
Roses release their scent when they are ready for pollination, which occurs when the flowers are half-open. The scent is fleeting and can even change within minutes, as cutting them alters the release of chemicals.
“The rose is to perfumery what the woman is to painting: an endless subject that I will never tire of.” Frédéric Malle (French publisher)
The Queen of Flowers with a rich bouquet of scents
The rose, also known as the Queen of Flowers, offers a scent that is instantly recognizable. Belonging to the “floral” fragrance family, the rose is the very symbol of femininity. Its character is heady, radiant, even intense. And with over 450 different aromatic molecules, the rose is a raw material from which a multitude of facets can be extracted.
It is found in many perfumes, such as “J’adore” by Christian Dior, “Eau de Parfum de Chloé” by Chloé, and “Idylle” by Guerlain.
Roses Throughout History
Master perfumers are well aware that incorporating rose notes into a fragrance makes it powerful and intoxicating. Rose essences have been spreading their scent for thousands of years.
Their first appearance in artistic motifs dates back to around 3000 BC. It is said that Cleopatra filled a room with rose petals to experience a passionate love affair with Mark Antony.
The Romans built sumptuous rose gardens and adorned banquet tables with thousands of rose petals, and Dioscorides, a Greek physician, believed that roses had refreshing and astringent properties.
Roses Throughout History
Rose petals were precious commodities that women in ancient times used cosmetically in the form of rose water for face masks, as well as in blush, eye shadow, and even deodorant.
The Victorian era marked the widespread use of roses in gardens and homes for their pleasant fragrance and beauty. It was also a time when botanists made the first attempts to define and classify scents.
However, it would take more than a century to classify rose scents and correctly identify their chemical components.
Le Studio des Parfums offers you the chance to create your own rose-scented perfume. Stand out from the crowd with a custom fragrance that reflects your personality. We provide you with a selection of rose scents so you can create your own perfume. So don’t wait—book your workshop today.
