Luca and I had an amazing conversation for nearly two hours talking about classical perfumery, how to learn fragrances, trends, and so many other topics inspired by your questions. Our session is available as a recording. If you couldn’t participate in person, I invite you to listen to our conversation. Available here.

Here are the topics we covered:

• what classical perfumes make Luca’s heart skip a beat
• what exactly goes into those cheap, dime a dozen perfumes
• the future of perfumery
• is it possible to create anything new? and which brands stand out still?
• if you know nothing about perfumery, where to start? (Luca’s great advice)
• which classical Guerlain perfumes we don’t like (yes, those exist)
• and much more!

Luca Turin and I talk about perfumery: fragrances we can’t imagine the world without, trends we hate, industry gossip and other things. Both of us have our distinctive preferences and experiences, and Luca is someone I admire and consider a friend, so we will keep these sessions open-ended. Our goal is to raise money to help my local community in Ukraine, but I can’t deny relishing the pleasure of chatting with Luca on topics both of us enjoy. We hope that this series of conversation will be inspiring, meaningful and entertaining.

P.S. Did you know that you can follow Luca via his Substack?

Here are the projects in Ukraine for which I’m raising money:

• Purchasing art supplies for the free-of-charge art studios that rehabilitate children suffering from post-traumatic shock.
• Supporting animal shelters run by the individuals I know.
• Working with local outreach programs to respond to the lonely elderly and their needs.
• Supporting local cultural preservation projects and traditional crafts.  I

Full disclosure: 50% of the funds raised will be donated to these charitable initiatives. The rest will cover our time and my Belgian tax obligations.

Luca and Victoria recording, €50 (after the payment is processed, you will receive a link to access the recording.)

For more information on Bois de Jasmin classes and other course offers, please visit the Perfume Classes page.

The Bois de Jasmin new class schedule includes new classes on Amber, Vanilla and Musk. We will decode these fundamental perfume materials and analyze fragrances that use them. I also invite you to explore perfume accords and classical fragrances using them in our classes on Jasmine & Woods and Rose & Incense accords. I’ve selected seasonal themes for these sessions to inspire your explorations and give you ideas on what to try next. The classes are for all perfume lovers, regardless of their level of interest, and since the class size is small, the lectures are tailored to the audience.

The class size is small to ensure that everyone gets attention and a chance to interact. The class is run as a lecture interspersed with guided smelling exercises. My style of teaching is personal and interactive. You will have a chance to ask questions throughout the class and there will also be an allotted time at the end for your questions on any fragrance-related topics. These classes are for students of all levels of interest in perfumery.

To register for the online courses, please go to the Online Perfume Classes page or take a look below:

Perfume Fundamentals Online: Amber
Location: Online, Zoom
Date: December 14th, Saturday 12:00pm-1:30pm EST/6:00pm-7:30pm CET
SOLD OUT

Perfume Fundamentals Online: Vanilla
Location: Online, Zoom
Date: December 15th, Sunday 12:00pm-1:30pm EST/6:00pm-7:30pm CET
SOLD OUT

Perfume Fundamentals Online: Musk
Location: Online, Zoom
Date: December 18th, Wednesday12:00pm-1:30pm EST/6:00pm-7:30pm CET
SOLD OUT

3-Class Package: Amber, Vanilla, Musk
Take all three classes and save!
SOLD OUT

Perfume Accords Online: Jasmine & Woods
Location: Online, Zoom
Date: December 21st, Saturday 12:00pm-1:30pm EST/6:00pm-7:30pm CET
SOLD OUT

Perfume Accords Online: Rose & Incense
Location: Online, Zoom
Date: December 22nd, Sunday 12:00pm-1:30pm EST/6:00pm-7:30pm CET
SOLD OUT
 

Brussels Studio Classes

We will explore perfume materials, rare fragrances, talk about history and legendary creators who made our favorite perfumes. Together we will learn the evolution of perfume history by studying some of the most iconic examples of the perfumery art in their original formulations. You will also perform exercises to sharpen your sense of smell. Some of the workshops include creating your own perfume accord.

Perfume Workshop (Brussels Studio): Vintage Perfumes and Stories

Journey into the captivating world of rare vintage perfumes. Uncover the history and artistry behind some of the most sought-after fragrances from past eras. Participants will learn to identify and appreciate the unique characteristics of vintage scents, explore the evolution of perfume-making, and gain insights into the cultural contexts that shaped these timeless creations. Hands-on sessions will include sampling rare perfumes and understanding their complex compositions. Perfect for fragrance enthusiasts and collectors alike, this class offers a rare opportunity to experience the magic of vintage perfumery. Students will have access to my perfume collection and try iconic fragrances from Caron, Guerlain, Coty and Chanel.

Class location: Brussels
Date: SOLD OUT
Class duration: 2.5 hours
250€/per person   (50€ to be paid as a reservation deposit, the rest is payable in person on the day of the class)
Please contact me for other available dates

To request another date, please  email me.

Continue reading →

Thank you again for your amazing support and for joining Luca and I for our perfume talk. We decided to make our session is available as a recording. If you couldn’t participate in person, I invite you to listen to our conversation. Available here, same terms apply.

Here are the topics we covered:

• what classical perfumes make Luca’s heart skip a beat
• what exactly goes into those cheap, dime a dozen perfumes
• the future of perfumery
• is it possible to create anything new? and which brands stand out still?
• if you know nothing about perfumery, where to start? (Luca’s amazing advice)
• which classical Guerlain perfumes we don’t like (yes, those exist)
• and much more!

Luca Turin and I will engage in a series of conversations about perfumery: fragrances we can’t imagine the world without, trends we hate, industry gossip and other things. Both of us have our distinctive preferences and experiences, and Luca is someone I admire and consider a friend, so we will keep these sessions open-ended. Our goal is to raise money to help my local community in Ukraine, but I can’t deny relishing the pleasure of chatting with Luca on topics both of us enjoy. We hope that this series of conversation will be inspiring, meaningful and entertaining. And the last point is assured, especially if you know anything at all about Luca.

P.S. Did you know that you can follow Luca via his Substack?

Since I’m currently in Ukraine, I see the dire need in my local community for the most basic things. While there are plenty of charities and government-level programs, the only way to ensure that money goes to the people in need is to locate those communities and help them directly. I’ve been doing this ever since my arrival to Ukraine two weeks ago.

• Raising money for local school to supply their bomb shelters with water.
• Purchasing art supplies for the free-of-charge art studios that rehabilitate children suffering from post-traumatic shock.
• Supporting animal shelters run by the individuals I know.
• Working with local outreach programs to respond to the lonely elderly and their needs.
• Supporting local cultural preservation projects and traditional crafts.  I will share more information about these and other projects as I continue my work.

Full disclosure: 50% of the funds raised will be donated to these charitable initiatives. The rest will cover our time and my Belgian tax obligations.

The session will take place online via Zoom and will last for 1 hour. If you have questions for me and Luca, you can email them beforehand.

IMPORTANT: Your email confirmation with joining instructions will arrive within 24 hours after payment. 

Location: Zoom
Class duration: 1 hour
September 14, Saturday, 18:00-19:00 CET (12:00-13:00 EST)
50€ SOLD OUT

For more information on Bois de Jasmin classes and other course offers, please visit the Perfume Classes page.

Did you know that smelling is one of the most effective brain exercises? Studies indicate that olfactive training “improved verbal function and subjective well-being. In addition, results indicated a decrease of depressive symptoms.” The latest research reveals that regular scent training can improve cognitive function and quality of life because it can enhance all your senses. Olfactive training can improve attention, memory and language functions and reverse cognitive decline. Since 2020, I have been working with healthcare professionals studying anosmia and the gradual loss of the sense of smell. Having researched the subject of olfaction, both as a perfumer and health industry consultant, I have created a tailored program based on my learning and discoveries. In contrast to my other courses that emphasize the appreciation of fragrances, this masterclass will focus deeper on how you develop your sense of smell and its effect on your well-being. I will share powerful techniques to:

• improve your sense of smell
• boost your ability to memorize aromas
• help you create daily habits that promote long-term cognitive health
• heighten your enjoyment of scents in food, wine, tea, and of course, fragrances

The masterclass will take place online and it’s an interactive experience, in a casual and comfortable setting. Since the class size is kept small, everyone will have my input into their uniquely adapted smell training program. You will have free access to support and guidance from me after the masterclass.

We will use readily available fragrant materials for our class exercises, such as citrus fruit and spices. You’ll receive the full instructions before the start of the class.

Location: Zoom
Class duration: 1.5 hours
August 18, Sunday, 1:30pm-3:00pm CET
August 24, Saturday, 6pm-7:30pm CET (12pm-1:30pm EST)
55€ SOLD OUT

For more information on Bois de Jasmin classes and other course offers, please visit the Perfume Classes page.

A special announcement for my readers in Taipei. I will be participating in a discussion about Ukraine on Tuesday July 23rd. You can find the information below as well as via this link. Please stop by and say hello.

When the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out in 2022, the Taiwanese media constantly compared Russia to China and Taiwan to Ukraine, reflecting the fear of the war in Taiwan.

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In 2023, Faces published Victoria Belim’s family history “The Rooster House”, which was written by the author who grew up in Ukraine and moved to Chicago, USA at the age of 15. In this book, the author uses an autobiographical style, starting with the disputes among family members regarding different historical views and political positions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The author returns to Ukraine and, from the clues of his time with his grandmother, in the secret police unit “Rooster House”, archives and museums around the world, she pieced together the past of a family that was silenced during the socialist era in Ukraine, allowing the author to understand the authoritarian legacy that is still affecting the present from a more historical and profound perspective.
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In addition to viewing this war as a projection of Taiwan’s anxiety about being invaded, two years after the war began, can we have a deeper understanding of the impact and changes in the meaning of this war on Europe, on Ukraine, and on Victoria Bellim and her family? We invited Chi-Xin Liu, the author of “The Making of Truth” – who used to work with a team of reporters to record the “invisible” people and events in the Ukrainian war through first-hand interviews, and wrote “Ukraine’s Impossible War.” Through the conversation, we will explore everything that Ukraine is facing at the moment, how Taiwan can learn from it, and when totalitarian forces infiltrate the people, is there a possibility of reconnection after division.
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▍Lecture information To Register

Date｜7/23 (Tuesday) 19:30 – 21:00
Dialogue｜Victoria Belim (author of “The Rooster House”), Chi-Xin Liu (author of “The Making of Truth”, host of the podcast “Excuse Me”)

Location｜Xianliulu Store (1F, No.26, Lane 25, Sec.3, Chongqing N Rd, Taipei; 3 minutes walk from Exit 3 of MRT Daqiaotou Station)

Date: 2024.7.23 19:30 – 21:00

Ticket｜NT$150 (Line Pay, Cultural Coin)

Registration by appointment + on-site payment, the venue is limited to 35 people, and registration will be closed when the quota is full.