Paperback Perfumes

In this conversation, Purvi Joshi, the creative director of Peosym, shares her journey into the world of niche fragrances, inspired by personal loss and the stories that shape our lives. We discusses the significance of storytelling in fragrance creation, the cultural inspirations behind her scents, and and how we change and grow when we move into new spaces. Our chat explores themes of loss, memory, and the evolving nature of language and identity, culminating in reflections on the narratives found in young adult fiction and their parallels to personal growth and understanding.

Fragrances mentioned:

Nirmohee - Peosym

Horn Ok Please - Peosym

Lost Wonderer - Peosym

Books mentioned:

Aru Shah and the End of Time - Roshani Chokshi

The Henna Artist - Alka Joshi

Find Peosym on

Instagram: @peosym

Website: peosym.com.au

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

Experiences, science, observation, and the act of sharing stories are fundamental parts of the vibrant community of readers, fragrance enthusiasts, and birdwatching aficionados. This week’s guest is the remarkable Kirsty Costa, a long-time educator, dedicated lifelong learner, and passionate lover of nature – with a special affinity for birds. Kirsty is the host of the wonderful Australian podcast Weekend Birder, and during our conversation, we delve into the intriguing parallels between experiencing the wonders of nature through all of the senses.

Fragrances mentioned:

Cockatiel - Zoologist

Nightingale - Zoologist

Penguin - Zoologist

Snowy Owl - Zoologist

Liminus

Darwin - Fueguia 1833

Books mentioned:

The Birdman’s Wife - Melissa Ashley

Find Weekend Birder on

Website: weekendbirder.com

Instagram: @weekend.birder

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

This episode’s guest is the remarkable renaissance woman, independent perfumer, avid reader, and keeper of random bits of fragrant knowledge, Jocelyn Fullerton. Her impressive body of work spans an array of specialties, including fine fragrances, skincare, and homecare, as well as innovative performance art installations, cinema projects, and inspiring exhibitions. In addition to her creative endeavours, she also teaches engaging workshops in perfumery, scent creation, and sensory engagement through olfaction for a diverse range of audiences. With a background in phytomedicine, Jocelyn has also trained at The Grasse Institute of Perfumery and has been an esteemed member of the Societé Française des Parfumeurs since 2010.

This conversation is as fun as it is educational - there are quiet a few chapters that are opened and closed whilst to talk about about the way we relate to each other through narrative and olfactive experiences.

Fragrances mentioned:

Original Eau De Cologne - 4711

Aramis - Aramis

Eau H’adrien - Goutal

Sable - Goutal

Bookish - Cult of Scent

Books mentioned:

The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

The Book of Form and Emptiness - Ruth Ozeki

Find Cult of Scent on

Instagram: @cultofscent.atelier

Website: cultofscent.com.au

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

We are playing in a slightly new and intriguing space for this week’s episode. Jinx Strange, the innovative creator behind Strange Fire and Fumery, is here to discuss their latest creative venture, known as Hero Scent. In this unique project, you have the exciting opportunity to purchase distinctive scents while also building your own roleplaying character and developing an ongoing character narrative through the artful layering of fragrances and personal experimentation. We had a wonderful time chatting about the many merits of Dungeons and Dragons, the influence of subculture magazines, the vast world of High Fantasy, and the profound connections we can find with plants and nature.

Fragrances mentioned:

Roll for Seduction - Hero Scent

Lilac & Gooseberries - Hero Scent

Books mentioned:

The Witcher Omnibus - Paul Tobin

The Witcher

Find Strange Fire & Fumery on

Instagram: @strange.fire.and.fumery

Bluesky: @strangefirefumery.bsky.social

Website: strangefirandfumery.com

Find Hero Scent on

Instagram: @hero.scent or on

Blueksy: @heroscent.bsky.social

Website: heroscent.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

This episode features Anh, the Fragrance Curator for Connection Parfumerie, a well-known store that offers a unique selection of luxury perfumes from around the world. Connection Parfumerie is Australia's top choice for special fragrances. Founded in 1954, this family-run business is one of Melbourne's oldest and most reliable retailers. They operate in Prahran and South Melbourne, delivering a great shopping experience for fragrance lovers.

Anh discusses her love of finding the new and unusual, what it was like coming to Australia from Vietnam as a fragrance lover, as well as ways you can find yourself something new.

Fragrances mentioned:

Taipei - One Day

Pho Breakfast - d’Annam

Happy Nuts - Borntostandout

Venetian Belladonna - Parfums Quantana

Lily of the Valley - Parfums Quantana

Wolfsbane - Parfums Quantana

Inexcusable Evil - Toskovat

Guidance - Amouage 

Sea Salt - Monotheme

Full Recharge - Adidas 

Books mentioned:

The Botanist's Guide to Poisons and Parties - Kate Khavari

Find Connection on Instagram @connectionparfumerie or on their website connection.net.au

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

This episode’s featured guest is William Borrell, who is the cofounder of Vallense, an innovative UK fragrance house that emphasizes the transformative and evocative qualities of scent. William brings a rich background, having previously built a successful career in alcohol distilling, which gives him a unique perspective on fragrance creation.

He possesses a growing passion for the art of fragrance and has undertaken some fascinating research into historical formulations and the exploration of unique, rare materials.

Fragrances mentioned:

Mitti Attar

Guilded - Eau De Bougee

Spirit - Vallense

Sun - Vallense

Source - Vallense

Books mentioned:

Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

The North Wind and The Sun - Aseop’s Fables

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

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

It’s the first episode of Season 2 and let’s kick down some doors was a pair of scuffed Doc Martins with feminism written on their soles.

Jen from Immortal Perfumes made this topic particularly easy has we weave starting out in perfume as her own ‘girl boss’ and name car’s Medusa, because she turns men into stone. A lover of history, we have 2 historical fiction books to discuss, as well a recreating Marie Antionette’s perfumes and keeping Dead Writer’s in a locket.

The episode is dark, it’s powerful and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Trigger warning: for sexual assault survivors, the books discussed cover some difficult topics.

Fragrances mentioned (full list on website):

Circe by Yosh

Parfums Quartana – Les Potions Fatales

Tea Olive - Hove Parfumeur

Weird Sister & Artemisia - Immortal Perfumes 

Bloody Wood - Liquides Imaginaires

Aqua Della Regina - Santa Maria Novella

Chiara 41 - i Profumi di Firenze

Angelique Noire - Guerlain

Books mentioned:

Circe - Madeline Miller

Blood Water Paint - Joy McCullough

Find Immortal Perfumes on Instagram, Substack, YouTube or on their website immortalperfumes.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

This is the last of the special spooky season series, as well as the final episode for season 1. It has been a true pleasure to talk to such a wide variety of guests, and this week's guest is no exception.

Nadia Vitlin is a perfumer who specializes in bespoke creations, scent visual art, and offers training for those interested in expanding their own knowledge. Nadia has spent ten years learning and developing her craft, and it was a delight to discuss a book that explores the grotesque aspects of material acquisition and the obsession that can come with possessing a scent.

Taking a concept and extending it beyond the realms of polite or sensible society can truly illustrate the edges of humanity and where the boundaries of good moral judgment lie. Can a scent or an aroma make us cross that boundary into madness? It's something to ponder as we approach Halloween, a time when boundaries notoriously blur.

Fragrances mentioned:

Fougère Royale - Houbigant Parfum

Jicky - Guerlain

Fleurs D'oranger - Serge Lutens

Sécrétions Magnifiques - Etat Libre d'Orange

Jasmin et Cigarette - Etat Libre d'Orange

Eau d'Hadrien - Annick Goutal

Books mentioned:

Perfume: The Story of A Murderer - Patrick Süskind

The Foul and the Fragrant: Odor and the French Social Imagination - Alain Corbin

Find Vistley on Instagram or on their website www.vitsley.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

Let’s catch up with the second part of the red string, photo board and many drawing pins that is pulling together two more text and a few more fragrances with Nuri McBride

Nuri is not just a perfumer; she is also a dedicated community educator and an insightful writer who regularly explores the rich intersection of olfaction and death rituals throughout history. In this episode we get a little medieval and discover the importance of humour, as well as bringing light to dark places and unknowable situations.

In keeping with tradition, our conversation has been so rich and layered that I have had to divide it up over several episodes for your enjoyment. Please do listen to Part 1 first, otherwise this conversation may not make as much sense as you would hope.

Fragrances mentioned:

Acqua Della Regina- Santa Maria Novella 

Dirty Velvet- Vilhelm Parfumerie

Books mentioned:

The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco

A Natural History of Hell - Jeffery Ford

Find Nuri McBride on Instagram or on their website.

The Alabastron Journal can be find at alabastronjournal.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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

How can one truly discuss the intricate topics of fragrance, death, and rituals without the invaluable insights of Nuri McBride? It seems only fitting that we take this opportunity to ‘resurrect’ a former guest who has made significant contributions to the conversation.

Nuri is not just a perfumer; she is also a dedicated community educator and an insightful writer who regularly explores the rich intersection of olfaction and death rituals throughout history. I am genuinely pleased to welcome her back to the podcast for another of our winding book club and fragrant pairings.

In keeping with tradition, our conversation has been so rich and layered that I have had to divide it up over several episodes for your enjoyment. So, please sit back and immerse yourself in this deep dive into the fascinating realms of necromancy and world building in part one of our series.

Fragrances mentioned:

Lady Vengeance - Juliette Has A Gun

De Profundis - Serge Lutens

After Every Ounce of Joy (Leaves My Body) - Chris Rusak

Macbeth - Shakespeare Perfumes

Books mentioned:

Gideon the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir

Harrow the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir

Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs - Paul Koudounaris

The Foul and the Fragrant - Alain Corbin

Find Nuri McBride on Instagram or on their website.

The Alabastron Journal can be find at alabastronjournal.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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