Glass Petal Smoke is an award-winning blog on flavors and fragrance edited by Michelle Krell Kydd. Ms. Kydd is a trained "nose" in perfumery and shares her expertise online, in print, and in a series of Smell and Tell lectures in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Kydd hails from New York City and received her sensory training at Givaudan and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She's been dubbed a "walking smellopedia," "olfactress," and "scientualist" by followers on Twitter. Smell-o-vision can't arrive fast enough for this olfactory evangelist who conducts Smell and Tell lectures at The University of Michigan.
Michelle Krell Kydd also works in a consultant capacity for flavor and fragrance brands.
Blog: www.glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/glasspetalsmoke The University Record: record.umich.edu/articles/communicator-explores-sense-smell-promotes-interdisciplinarity
My mum has worn Chanel No 5 for 50 years (most of my life). Interestingly I've only ever come across two women who despise and avoid any kind of perfume, both cook very bland/un seasoned food. They both suffered abusive childhood relationships with their mothers. Having said that they both use overly chemical smelling cleaning products. One claims to be sensitive to any additives in skin care, but a look around her bathroom soaps etc tells me otherwise. I wonder if they are unconsciously avoiding smells that remind them of their childhood.
Just watched this presentation, wonderful, thank you. I found your talk because I've been looking for a connection between a perfume by Houbigant called Quelques Fleurs and no 5. Apparently the former is a revived old recipe that was supposed to be loved by the last of the French royals. When I was introduced to it by a salesman in San Francisco, he said something about Coco Chanel using it as an example of a perfume she liked. It struck me how similar it is to No 5 and I bought it for my younger daughter as a Xmas gift but she's letting it sit unused. It truly is a wonderful floral perfume. Perhaps there are some common standout ingredients? Look forward to any insight you might have.
One would have to compare vintage formulas against current ones by smell and GC-Mass Spec to know for sure. The aldehyde overdose in No. 5 was, to my knowledge, unique. Guessing both original formulas had up to 200+ ingredients as vintage formulas were more complex and contained more natural ingredients than modern perfumes.
The first overdose of that laundry powder musk in scent was in Drakkar Noir. I've always hated it and can't figure out why people want to smell like a box of Tide. Horses for courses.
This was wonderful! My favorite CHANEL perfume has been Pour Monsieur and now, Coromandel. On a woman, I identify more with COCO edp. My bottle of No. 5 is the Ruby Red edition from two years ago. I brought it out and spritzed my forearm with it as I listened to Michelle's presentation. Mahalo for this!
The science and poetry are the best part. So much goes into creative endeavors of all kinds, but the elements of intention, emotion and memory that shape perfume are very special because perfume generates a unique set of emotions and memories in everyone!
I learned a lot from this, and yesterday I just ordered yet another bottle of Chanel No.5. What is that watch you have on, and you remind me a little of Elisabeth Moss and someone else... I can't think of?
The formula gets tweaked over time based on regulations and improvements (tech). Chanel takes great care of its formulas. If you are feeling nostalgic see if you can get a decant of Chanel No. 5 that was sold in the 1970s. You don't need a full bottle, just a small vial. The Perfumed Court is a good place to start. If you come upon an unopened bottle that was stored away from heat and light, and is sealed in the box (NIB=New in Box on Ebay, Etsy, etc.) you may want to buy a bottle.
Chanel no 5 is my favorite perfume. I’m 19 and I’ve been wearing it for two years. It smells lovely on my skin and body chemistry. Also, I literally live in Ann Arbor so I was shocked that the AADL has a lecture on my favorite perfume.
Thank you. Smell & Tell is entering its sixth year of programming and I try to keep it interesting and entertaining. What you don't see in the video is what happens when people smell the ingredients used to make the perfume, as well as the finished product. Those are magical moments because everyone shares their sensory impressions and stories.
Thanks for your request. AADL did not film the Patchouli event, but you can read this post on Glass Petal Smoke as it is quite popular and informative. glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com/2009/02/patchouli-from-haute-to-not-and-back.html
Thank you! I enjoyed watching this as I too am just fell under the spell of no5 and got myself a vintage bottle for a song and it just smells amazing!!! I'm 32 male.
You're welcome! Chanel No. 5 has a timeless charm and despite tweaks in the formula over the years, the brand had maintained the integrity of the fragrance.
