Last December, Forbes magazine reported that a quiet revolution is underway in the evolving world of fragrance as “niche” perfume brands are rivaling their mainstream counterparts and experiencing a surge in demand (source). “This shift,” Forbes wrote, “signals a broader change in consumer preferences, where personalization and uniqueness in scent are increasingly prized over the familiar and widely recognized.”
At The Glam Pad, we have been seeing this same desire for personal expression within the design world, particularly with the rise of social media platforms, such as Instagram, which facilitate the connection with others possessing unique interests. Online communities are formed, bringing together individuals from across the globe who otherwise might not have a single kindred spirit in real life who shares their passion. This explains the rise of certain trends (or “anti-trends” as we like to call them) such as the much-lauded Grandmillennial movement and ensuing interest in needlepoint, for example. Another “trend” we are having fun exploring is “balletcore” which particularly appeals to me as a former ballerina and lover of all things pink, graceful, and classical.
Entrée Odette Parfum Co., a niche perfumerie based in North Carolina conceived from a deep appreciation for the art of ballet and a desire to translate that grace, emotion, and storytelling into fragrances.
“My journey into perfumery was born from a personal quest for a signature scent that I just couldn’t find anywhere, said founder Odette Fontaine, a self-taught perfumist who spent a lifetime obsessed with all things fragrance. “This led me to create my first formula, Pas de Chat. The process of developing it was entirely self-taught through extensive research, countless trials, and a fair share of error.”
Odette believed there were others out there who would resonate with her point of view, and was eager to connect with them through fragrance. Each parfum is crafted to tell a story, much like a ballet, inviting the wearer into a world of sensory poetry. Odette finds inspiration from specific ballets, confections, and her favorite place in the world — Paris. It is easy to fall down the Instagram rabbit hole and into the enchanting world of @odetteparfumco which focuses not only on the history and culture of ballet, but also a world of artistic fantasy with references to old master paintings, European architecture, ornate passementarie, vintage perfume bottles, elegant swans, Greek mythology, Marie Antoinette-inspired buttercream cakes, and Madeleine de Proust. This visionary feast sets the stage as the perfect backdrop for Odette’s line of perfumerie.
Other fragrances in the collection include Coup de Pied, Petit Gâteau, Rose Adage, Moulin Rose, Grand Battement, Madeleine, and more in the works. Additional details and notes can be found here.
ABOUT THE BRAND
The casual elegance of a cashmere coat draped over a theater banquette. The comforting warmth upon entering a French patisserie. A frenzy of powder puffs, cold cream, pattering silk slippers, and crushed velvet curtains. These are the moments that inspire perfumer Odette Fontaine, whose evocative creations transport us to the glamour of a theater dressing room, to a wistful reimagination of the past, and to the grace and fantasy of the ballet.
Odette threads together memory, fantasy, history, and illusion to offer a suite of scents inspired by the language of performance, romance and aesthetics of ballet.
BOTTLED PASSION
Odette shares a forename with the fearlessly romantic swan queen from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Drawing inspiration from dance’s insistence on the relationship between bodies in space, Odette Parfum Co. invites you to share a bit of yourself with those around you through scent, to leave your trace, to invite someone closer, or simply to envelope yourself in warmth.
Samples are available for purchase, so you can try before deciding on your favorite scent! I have tried almost every one of Odette’s masterfully-blended fragrances, and it the only problem is narrowing them down! I’ll be wearing Moulin Rose this fall, along with Pas de Chat and Petit Gâteau. Which scent will you choose? To learn more and to place orders, please visit Odette Parfum Co.
GIVEAWAY!
Odette Parfum Co. has graciously agreed to give away a “Pas de Trois” Parfum Trio of three exquisite 10ml rollerball fragrances! Simply follow @odetteparfumco on Instagram and make sure you are signed up for The Glam Pad’s enewletters (here) to enter. One lucky winner will be chosen on Tuesday!
