On this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana bask in the holiday glow and talk about their favorite warm, spicy, cozy scents to wear at festive parties or for quiet times at home. They discuss the biggest note trends of the year and smell through their favorite scents of 2025.

It's been a great year for perfume releases - what were some of your favorites in 2025?

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

Bowmakers by DS and Durga

Ambre Liquide by Astier de Villatte

Hammersmith Tea & Biscuits by 4160 Tuesdays

Unknown Pleasures by Kerosene

Empire des Indes by Oriza Legrand

Myrrh Shadow by Bon Parfumeur

Molecule 01 + Cistus by Escentric Molecules

Ouarzazate by Comme des Garcons

Tobacco Memories by Chambre52

Encore Une Fois by Infiniment Coty

Japanese Whiskey by D'Annam

Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret

Carine by Carine Roitfeld

Venice Rococo by Arquiste

Green Vanille by Regime des Fleurs

Blood Spider Orchid by Regime des Fleurs

Apricot Innocence by Simone Andreoli

Cedrat Ceruse by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Witchery by Sorce

In Dreams & Fairytales by Sorce

Vampire Husband by Sorce

Joyeux by Sultan Pasha Perfumes

Nightchild by Epichron

Taipei by One Day

White Rice by d'Annam

Dirty Rice by Borntostandout

Rice Makgeolli by Villa Erbatium

Delicious Rice Milk by Federico Cantelli

The LIttle Mermaid by The Mischief Academy

Kyoto by Le Gout de Peau

African Rooibos by Chris Collins

Savant by Chris Collins

Milk & Matcha by Obvious

London Fog by Brandt

Jasmine Freak by Room 1015

Bianco Latte by Giardini di Toscana

R & B by Zernell Gillie

Cafe des Delices by Maison Mataha

Hosted by Steven Gontarski and Dana Buchanan

Produced by Emi Brown and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve sits down with legendary master perfumer Olivier Cresp. They talk about his distinctive style, which Cresp refers to as minimalist and figurative, valuing simplicity with key ingredients. 

They touch on Olivier's generational roots in the perfume industry and his upbringing in Grasse. He discusses the various steps of the creation of Thierry Mugler's Angel - an iconic perfume that forever changed the landscape of perfumery - and the various ideas that went into the formation of Akro, a brand Olivier started with his daughter Anais, celebrating life's guilty pleasures.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

Bake by Akro

Crush by Akro

Angel by Thierry Mugler

Juniper Sling by Penhaligon's

LIght Blue by Dolce & Gabbana

My Devotion by Dolce & Gabbana

Rise by Akro

Smoke by Akro

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve talks with actor, musician and member of the Scent Bar family, Ronald Prokeš. They talk about the scents Ronny wore as a teen in the Czech Republic and his more recent fascination with chypres, fougeres and vintage perfumes. He describes how he sometimes uses scent to disassociate from social settings and how "an empty bottle is a happy bottle."

Fragrances mentioned in this episode:

Fierce by Abercrombie and Fitch

Fahrenheit by Dior

Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo

Maai by Bogue Profumo

Cocoa Kimiya by Atelier des Ors

Eau Noire by Dior

Varuek by PRIN

Grand Chalet by Astier de Villatte

Memoir Man by Amouage

Nuit de Bakelite by Naomi Goodsir

Iris Silver Mist by Serge Lutens

Rauque by Roberto Greco

Oeilleres by Roberto Greco

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Produced by Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits with Chris Collins and asks him about his background in fashion and his pivot into perfume, one of his lifelong passions. He remembers the fragrances his father wore and the scents that inspired him to start his own brand. From knocking on the door of Robertet in Grasse to channeling his admiration for Prince's music into a new perfume, Chris shares many stories that describe the rewards and challenges of founding and directing a perfume line.

Fragrances mentioned in this episode:

Old Spice by Shulton Company

Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene

Blue Jeans by Versace

Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein

Polo by Ralph Lauren

L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake

Renaissance by Chris Collins

Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle

Straight to Heaven by By Kilian

African Rooibos by Chris Collins

Babycat by YSL

Lust Oud Delice by Chris Collins

Savant Manhattan Cherry by Chris Collins

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susannah Melvoin is known to many as a stellar musician and songwriter, having contributed to legendary albums by Prince and Madonna among others. Her passion for music is only rivalled by her passion for perfume. In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve sits with Susannah as they talk about the interplay between music and scent in creating atmospheres. She shares her earliest memories of her parents' perfumes, her first scent and her current go-to bottles while dropping some iconic stories. Want to know what the set for Prince's 'When Doves Cry' video smelled like?

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Tihota by Indult

- Encore Une Fois by Infiniment Coty

- Molinard de Molinard by Molinard

- Salome by Papillon Artisan Perfumes

- Chanel No 19 by Chanel

- Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz

- Delulu by Oddity

- Carine by Carine Roitfeld

- Numero Uno (I) by Adamo Parfum

- Isvaraya by Indult

- Kagiroi by Di Ser

- Mortel Noir by Trudon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zernell Gillie has made his name as an international DJ and founder of a much-loved perfume brand inspired by musical genres. In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve talks with Zernell about his his journey from early days at high school sock-hops to his sets at Berghain, the legendary Berlin club. Music, fashion and scent have always coexisted in the club scene and have inspired Zernell for decades. Find out which fragrances have meant the most to him and how they have influenced his olfactive interpretations of his favorite music.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Polo by Ralph Lauren

- Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene

- Halston Z14 by Halston

- Egoiste by Chanel

- Ivory Route by Xerjoff

- Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani

- Dior Homme Intense by Dior

- Pi by Givenchy

- Sweetie Aoud by Roja Parfums

- Geschopf by PMP

- R & B by Zernell Gillie

- Jazz by Zernell Gillie

- Hip-Hop by Zernell Gillie

- Coco by Chanel

- Stetson by Coty

- Tango by Masque Milano

- Sweet Botswana Mystery by Modern Mark

- Hypnotising Fire by The Harmonist

More information on Zernell Gillie can be found on zernellgillie.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana talk about their Back to School fragrances. Whether or not you're in school, this time of year is full of moments to reset and begin a new cycle - scent can certainly help mark this renewal. As the long days of summer start to grow shorter, sometimes the smell of spices, woods and amber can provide all the coziness you need in a new season.

Fragrances discussed:

The Jungle Book by Mischief Academy

La Danza Delle Libellule Exceptional Edition by Nobile 1942

Matcha Ice Cream by Theodoros Kalotinis

Matchbox Romance by Binaurale

Dead Air by Oddity

Psychedelique by Jovoy

Empire des Indes by Oriza Legrand

Jazz by Zernell Gillie

Jardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade

Love Is Coming by The Different Company

Nightchild by Epichron

All That Matters by Anamor

Breathe by Akro

Eau Sacree by Heeley

Crush Balls by D.S. & Durga

Fire at Will by Jovoy

Orgasmo by Hilde Soliani

Tales of Amber by Goldfield and Banks

Hosted by Steven Gontarski with Dana Buchanan

Produced by Steven Gontarski, Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few people deserve the status of Fashion Legend as much as Carine Roitfeld. As the editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue for a decade, through her collaborations with Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld and through her current publication, CR Fashion Book, she has indelibly shaped the direction of style and high fashion.

In a conversation with Steve, Carine Roitfeld talks about the various titles she's adopted over the years from 'Combattante' during the student strikes of Paris 1968 to 'Magic Grandma' of today. She talks about the decision to create a fragrance brand as soon as she left Paris Vogue and her discussions with master perfumes like Dominique Ropion and Aurelien Guichard to create scent portraits of herself and several loves of her life.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Carine by Carine Roitfeld

- Eau Vive by Carven

- Fracas by Robert Piguet

- Opium Pour Homme by YSL

- Fleurs d'Oranger by Serge Lutens

- L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain

- Kar-Wai by Carine Roitfeld

- Sebastien by Carine Roitfeld

- Vladimir by Carine Roitfeld

- George by Carine Roitfeld

- Black Orchid by Tom Ford

- Forgive Me by Carine Roitfeld

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dimitri Weber has an extensive background in perfume, having worked for luxury brands such as YSL and Shiseido for decades in Antwerp, Belgium. After changing course and moving to Australia, he was surprised by the lack of perfume brands in his new country - a country spoiled by its high quality raw materials already used by European and American brands. Dimitri leaned into his experience and knowledge of European perfumery to honor the natural wealth and beauty of Australia, and Goldfield and Banks was born.

The brand rose to fame almost overnight because of online attention, so Dimitri and Steve discuss the current role of social media in the perfume business and how it can help and harm. They look into the future and speculate what's next in this relationship between TikTok and scent.

Perfumes discussed in this episode:

Barynia by Helena Rubinstein

Nina by Nina Ricci

Diorissimo by Dior

Anais Anais by Cacharel

Paris by YSL

Jacomo di Jacomo

Cacharel Pour Homme by Cacharel

Fahrenheit by Dior

Pacific Rock Moss by Goldfield and Banks

Ingenious Ginger by Goldfied and Banks

Purple Suede by Goldfield and Banks

Sunset Hour by Goldfield and Banks

Pacific Rock Flower by Goldfield and Banks

Tales of Amber by Goldfield and Banks

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While smelling through some of her forever favorite fragrances, Steve chats with Luckyscent’s Emi about their shared love of Gap Dream, patchouli, “capital P perfumes”, “pretty” perfumes, and more. Having known each other for a few years already, Steve had predicted some of Emi’s favorites, but was surprised by a few of them, as well.

Fragrances mentioned:

Classique from Jean Paul Gaultier

Safanad from Parfums de Marly

Le Feu d'Issey from Issey Miyake

Drakkar Noir from Guy Laroche

Dream from Gap

Music from Harajuku Lovers

Cucumber Melong from Bath and Body Works

Molecule 01 from Escentric Molecules

Fat Electrician from Etat Libre d'Orange

You Or Someone Like You from Etat Libre d'Orange

Noel Au Balcon from Etat Libre d'Orange

Molecule 01 + Patchouli from Escentric Molecules

Tzora from Anat Fritz

For Her from Narciso Rodriguez

Un Bel Amour d'Ete from Parfum d'Empire

Blanche Bete from Liquides Imaginaires

Ganymede from Marc-Antoine Barrois

Korrigan from Lubin

Reflet Sur L'Okavango from Ella K

Gris Dior Esprit from Dior

Hosted by: Steven Gontarski

Produced by: Claire Jelinek, Emi Foster, Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.