PERFUME HISTORY: THE '90S

Course Description:

Sweeping away the excesses of the 1980s, the ’90s ushered in a new era of perfume — cleaner, cooler, and more iconoclastic. This course explores how fragrances of the time captured a generation’s craving for freedom, individuality, and a break from tradition. Pop culture movements like supermodel glamour, grunge, and rave culture reshaped what the world wanted to smell like. We’ll smell and discuss perfume rebels like Jean Paul Gaultier’s Classique and Mugler’s Angel, watery icons like L’Eau d’Issey and Acqua di Gio, and the gender-bending cool of scents like CK One and Dior’s Dune. Mall brands like The Body Shop, Bath & Body Works, and The Gap helped democratize perfume by making it playful, affordable, and part of everyday life, especially for a new generation discovering fragrance for themselves. Conversely, niche brands began to emerge to meet the growing demand for unique, often transgressive scents that rejected mass appeal. We’ll also explore how the '90s embrace of subcultures, minimalism, gender fluidity, and accessibility, continues to influence how perfume is designed, marketed, and worn today.