ORIGINS OF AMERICAN PERFUMERY
A hands on, experiential approach to history with antiques to see and touch. Botanicals and perfume materials to reference and explore. Greater understanding through making accords ourselves.
- The history and culture of Perfumery in America through the evolution of products, advertising and marketing.
- Reference contemporary iterations of classic perfumes we're studying
- Breakdown the original 19th century perfume accords and the natural and synthetic materials used in the era
- Sample materials and create variations of classic perfume formulae
Class Details
Instructor: Stephen Dirkes
Fee: $95
THE SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
A delicious way to approach the Gourmand perfume family.
Traditional Caribbean Cocoa Ball Tea will be served as we explore the history of European drinking chocolate.
Explore a range of spices, florals, and musk, early 18th century drinking chocolate recipes looked much like perfume formulae, we’ll enjoy both.
Build our own spiced cocoa perfumes, note by note in this hands on, interactive approach to perfumery.
Class Details
Instructor: Stephen Dirkes
Fee: $100
INTRO TO PERFUMERY: A PRIMER (THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT
OLFACTION
How Our Sense of Smell Works: Delve into the science of olfaction and its connection to fragrance perception.
Anatomy of the Olfactory System: Gain insights into the structure and function of the olfactory system.
Role of Scent Receptors: Understand the function of various scent receptors in detecting and interpreting fragrances.
THE PERFUMERS PALETTE
A concise course focusing on the essence of natural raw materials & aroma chemicals in perfumery.
Plant Origins and Olfactory Nuances: Study the impact of genus, species, and geolocation on scent differences.
Extraction Processes: Understanding methods to capture essence from natural materials, including animal origin.
Synthetic Raw Materials: Exploring the role of synthetics in modern perfumery.
Spectrum of Material Families: Gaining insight into various material families and subfamilies in perfumery.
Classifications in Perfumery: Examining diverse categorization methods used by perfumers.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $135
AROMATIC AFFECTION: VALENTINE’S WINE & FRAGRANCE
During this class, we will be:
Learning about the emotional interactions between smell and memory.
• Tasting five wines curated for the Holiday.
• Sampling five aroma compounds.
• Discovering five Holiday-curated fragrances.
• Analyzing different aromatic organic materials in scent training tins.
• Experiencing flavor/food pairings.
• Evaluating the aromatic sensory experience of paired organic material, aroma compound, fragrance, flavor, and wine.
• Learning about the science of scent reception and the aroma chemistry of winemaking and perfumery.
*Food/flavor pairings may include Gluten, Dairy, Nuts, and Meat*
Class Details:
Instructor: Isabel Finston
Price: $140
OLFACTORY SCENOGRAPHER, CREATING SCENT FOR SPACES
INSTRUCTOR: PIERRE BENARD
PRICE: $900 FOR THE 2 DAY MASTERCLASS
THIS IS A 2 DAY CLASS
SESSION 1: FEB 15, 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM
SESSION 2: FEB 16, 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM
ORANGE BLOSSOM ACCORD
Class Description:
This introductory class focuses on the basics of perfumery through the lens of orange blossom. You'll explore its natural origins, learn about the core ingredients that define its scent, and gain hands-on experience creating your own orange blossom accord.
What You’ll Learn:
Introduction to Orange Blossom: Its role in perfumery and key characteristics.
Orange Blossom in Nature: Insights into its natural origins.
Core Ingredients: Major components of the orange blossom accord.
Olfactive Perspective: Identification and evaluation of its main ingredients
Hands-On Practice: Blend ingredients to create your own accord.
CLASS DETAILS
Instructor: Justin Frederico Ph.D.
Cost: $125
INTRO TO PERFUMERY: A PRIMER
OLFACTION
How Our Sense of Smell Works: Delve into the science of olfaction and its connection to fragrance perception.
Anatomy of the Olfactory System: Gain insights into the structure and function of the olfactory system.
Role of Scent Receptors: Understand the function of various scent receptors in detecting and interpreting fragrances.
THE PERFUMERS PALETTE
A concise course focusing on the essence of natural raw materials & aroma chemicals in perfumery.
Plant Origins and Olfactory Nuances: Study the impact of genus, species, and geolocation on scent differences.
Extraction Processes: Understanding methods to capture essence from natural materials, including animal origin.
Synthetic Raw Materials: Exploring the role of synthetics in modern perfumery.
Spectrum of Material Families: Gaining insight into various material families and subfamilies in perfumery.
Classifications in Perfumery: Examining diverse categorization methods used by perfumers.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $135
TROUBLESHOOTING FRAGRANCE STABILITY FOR PERFUMERS
Discover the science behind crafting long-lasting, stable fragrances in this immersive perfume class. Explore the molecular interactions that can impact your creations, such as changes in color, odor, or consistency, and learn how to build a stable environment for your scents. This class covers key factors like light exposure, water interaction, impurities, and acid-base reactions. You’ll also gain insights into the processes of maturation and maceration as tools for stabilization. Additionally, we’ll dive into essential topics like shelf life, preservatives, UV filters, and chelating agents to ensure your fragrances remain vibrant and enduring.
CLASS DETAILS
Instructor: Justin Frederico Ph.D.
Cost: $150
AROMATHERAPY FUNDAMENTALS: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP
INSTRUCTOR: AMY ANTHONY
PRICE: $350
MUST PURCHASE KIT SEPARATELY THROUGH LINK IN DESCRIPTION
TUBEROSE ACCORDS
In this hands-on class, you’ll learn about the unique characteristics of tuberose, its key ingredients, and how it’s used in fragrance compositions. By the end of the session, you’ll create your own tuberose accord, gaining practical skills in blending and scent evaluation.
What We’ll Cover:
Introduction to Tuberose: An overview of this iconic floral note.
Tuberose in Nature: Its origins and natural profile.
Key Ingredients: Exploring the building blocks of a tuberose accord.
Olfactive Training: Recognizing and describing ingredient odors.
Creating Your Accord: Hands-on practice in blending a personalized scent.
CLASS DETAILS
Instructor: Justin Frederico Ph.D.
Cost: $125
THE ART OF FUNCTIONAL FRAGRANCE WITH BOTANICALS
INSTRUCTOR: ABA GYEPI-GARBAH
PRICE:$195
MUST PURCHASE KIT SEPARATELY THROUGH LINK IN DESCRIPTION
MATERIAL MODULES: MUSKS (SOLD OUT )
Introduction to Musk in Perfumery
History and Origins. Explore the origins of natural musk, from its use in ancient perfumes to the ethical and environmental concerns leading to the development of synthetic musks.
Overview of the different categories of musk and their role in modern fragrances.
Guided smelling of different musk materials.
Role of Musk in Longevity
Exploration of musk accords
How to study Musks
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $90
MATERIAL MODULES: WOODS
Introduction to Woody Materials
Characteristics and olfactory profile of woody materials.
Common woody materials: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Patchouli & Amber Woods
Aroma chemicals in this family
Role of woody materials in perfumery and their typical usage in base notes
Different types of woody notes: Dry woods, creamy woods, smoky woods.
Examples and distinguishing features of each type.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $90
JASMIN ACCORD (SOLD OUT)
JASMIN ACCORD BASICS
The jasmine accord is a cornerstone of perfumery, embodying both timeless elegance and technical complexity. This class is designed to help you demystify its creation, teaching you how to balance the delicate interplay of naturals and synthetics that bring jasmine to life in a fragrance.
The role of key materials like indole, benzyl acetate, and methyl anthranilate in building jasmine’s signature character.
How to layer and balance naturals, such as jasmine absolute, with synthetics to create depth and harmony.
Techniques for enhancing luminosity, floralcy, and richness in your accords.
CLASS DETAILS
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $125
CHYPRE ACCORD CREATION (SOLD OUT)
Crafting the Chypre Accord
Objective: This hands-on class guides students through the art of creating a Chypre base, exploring its defining materials and structure while emphasizing practical formulation techniques.
Introduction (10 min):
Overview of the Chypre accord
Key materials
Ingredient Exploration :
Smell and evaluate core ingredients.
Discuss the balance of freshness, depth, and modern alternatives
Hands-On Creation :
Step-by-step guidance to build a Chypre base:
Compare creations with classic Chypre samples.
Take home your custom blend and formulation notes.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $125
TREND IDENTIFICATION: HOW TO SPOT EMERGING TRENDS
INSTRUCTOR: AMY MARKS-MCGEE
PRICE: $100
MATERIAL MODULES: AROMATIC & GREEN
In this module, we'll explore two fragrance families—Green and Aromatic.
Green notes are celebrated for their fresh, leafy, and natural qualities, evoking the scent of nature with facets like grass,foliage and freshly cut leaves. Aromatic notes, on the other hand, are invigorating and herbaceous, offering a sense of rest and relaxation. This family includes notes such as sage, rosemary, thyme, and lavender, which lend a deeply herbaceous character to fragrances..This class will guide you through materials of both families
In this class Participants will :
Learn the key characteristics of Green and Aromatic fragrance materials.
Discover how Green materials reflect nature’s freshness and sense of rebirth.
Understand the impact of Aromatic notes in creating herbaceous and invigorating compositions.
Explore both natural and synthetic options for these categories.
By the end of the session, you’ll gain insights into how these material families shape some of the most beloved scents in perfumery.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $90
MATERIAL MODULES: FLORALS
INTRODUCTION TO FLORALS
Floral materials are typically used in the heart notes, providing the core character and complexity, balancing and enriching the overall fragrance.
Characteristics and olfactory profile of Floral materials.
Common Florals materials for White Florals, Rose, Lily of the Valley and Violet
Aroma chemicals in this family
Role of Florals in perfumery and their typical usage as Midnotes
Examples and distinguishing features of each type of Floral.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $90
MATERIAL MODULES: CITRUS & ALDEHYDES
Introduction to Citrus Notes:
Characteristics and olfactory profile of citrus notes in perfumery.
Common citrus ingredients, In-Depth study of main ingredients in this family
Role of citrus in top notes and its impact on the overall fragrance.
Introduction to Aldehydes:
Definition and chemical structure of aldehydes.
Distinction of Aliphatic aldehydes vs other aldehydes in perfumery
History and significance of aldehydes in perfumery.
Notable aldehyde materials
Iconic perfumes featuring aldehydes, such as Chanel No. 5.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $90
FINDING INSPIRATION: HOW TO GET UNSTUCK IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
INSTRUCTOR: AMY MARKS-MCGEE
PRICE: $100
FESTIVE FRAGRANCES AND WINTERY WINES: AN EXPERIENCE (SOLD OUT
INSTRUCTOR: ISABEL FINSTON
COZY WINTER CANDLE WORKSHOP
A candle is more than just a pleasant fragrance; it has the power to transform your space, setting the mood and enhancing the atmosphere of your home. It can turn any room into a sanctuary, creating an environment you’ll never want to leave.
We invite you to embark on a one-of-a-kind journey where you’ll create a candle that’s uniquely yours. In an intimate, exclusive setting, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a luxury candle, sharing expert insights along the way. You’ll explore a curated selection of scents, discovering the one that resonates most with you, and learn about the art and science behind candle-making—from wax types and fragrance blending to wick selection, scent diffusion, and the perfect vessel size.
As you indulge your creativity, enjoy a glass of wine and connect with fellow candle enthusiasts. By the end of the experience, you’ll leave with your own handmade candle, ready to light up your home and fill it with your personal touch.
Must be 21 and over to attend.
Highlights
Learn the basics of Candle-Making
Gain an overview of fragrance formulation for candles
Step by step guidance on making & hand pouring a scented candle
Instructors: Gus Romero & Noura Sasoun
Price: $125
AMBER: A JOURNEY THROUGH PERFUMERY’S MOST ICONIC NOTE
Class Overview
Amber, with its warmth and complexity, has been a cornerstone of perfumery for centuries. This class explores amber's origins, key types, and its evolution in fragrance creation. Through a blend of history, science, and olfactory exploration, participants will uncover amber’s rich legacy and its role in shaping some of the most iconic scents.
Students in this course will:
Learn the primary types of amber: resinous, ambergris, and woody ambers.
Explore amber’s cultural and historical significance in perfumery.
Smell and analyze amber bases like Ambreine and modern Ambrocenide.
Understand the role of amber in creating warmth and longevity in fragrances.
Amber Types and Origins:
The creation of resinous ambers with labdanum and benzoin.
Ambergris-inspired molecules and modern woody ambers.
Amber in Perfumery:
Its role in classic fragrances like Shalimar
How amber has shaped oriental and contemporary perfumes.
Olfactory Exploration:
Smell and dissect key amber materials and their uses.
Class Details:
Instructor: Gus Romero
Cost: $125
Discover amber’s radiant warmth and its lasting influence on the world of fragrance.
WINE AND FRAGRANCE: AN AROMATIC EXPLORATION
INSTRUCTOR: ISABEL FINSTON
PRICE: $125
$25 KITS ARE AVAILABLE (PRICE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CLASS FEE) PLEASE RESERVE ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE
ORIGINS OF AMERICAN PERFUMERY PART 1: HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT
INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN DRIKES
PRICE: $90
ORIGINS OF AMERICAN PERFUMERY 1 COLOGNE & THE APOTHECARY TRADITION PART 2
INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN DIRKES
PRICE: $120
ORIGINS OF AMERICAN PERFUMERY 1 : COLOGNE & THE APOTHECARY TRADITION PART 1
INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN DIRKES
PRICE: $90
PERFUME & SOCIETY: COLONIAL BODIES AND DECOLONIZING PERFUME
INSTRUCTOR: DAISY BOW
PRICE: $95