INFORMATION
Author(s): Elisabeth de Feydeau
Print length: 160 pages
Dimensions: 23.62 x 28.7 cm
Format: Hardcover
Price: 1.399.000 VND
Weight: 1.049 g
Publisher: Hachette
Publication year: 2024
INTRODUCTION
"The Story of Perfume: A Lavishly Illustrated Guide" by Élisabeth de Feydeau is a sumptuous exploration of the world of fragrance, tracing its history from ancient scented oils to modern perfume artistry. With lush illustrations, archival images, and detailed descriptions, the book transports the reader through time and geography: from perfumed rituals of antiquity to the development of modern perfume houses. It reveals how perfume has shifted from sacred and royal usage to popular culture, balancing artistry, chemistry, craft, and commerce.
De Feydeau dives into the ingredients, techniques, and social contexts behind famous scents and fragrance traditions, exploring how raw materials—such as rose, sandalwood, ambergris—became symbols of luxury and sensuality. She also examines how perfume intersects with fashion, culture, and identity: how specific scents gain iconic status, and how perfumers blend tradition and innovation to evoke memory, emotion, and taste.
The value of this guide lies both in its visual richness and scholarly yet accessible storytelling. It appeals to perfume aficionados, historians, designers, and anyone curious about olfactory culture. This book is a definitive reference to the art and science behind perfume, offering inspiration, context, and a deeper understanding of how scents shape our senses and society.
