The Annette Green Perfume Museum: Fashion Makes Scents Exhibition

Orientalism

Belle Epoque Orientalism Americana
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Modernism perfume bottle Space Age
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For Western designers, one of the most enduringly popular points of inspiration is “The Orient.” In historical terms, the Orient is a broad geographical designation describing the many nations and cultures of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Near East. In short, the notion of “The Orient” is an invention, a fantasy world created through the exuberant, and sometimes naïve, reinterpretation of non-Western cultures.

Fashions inspired by Orientalism are often richly colored with intricate patterns or ornamental surface embellishments and present dramatic silhouettes. In referencing Orientalist colors, icons and motifs, designers and perfumers imbue their creations with fantastic qualities and lift their customers out of everyday reality.

Oriental fragrances are generally bold and spicy, with a particular sweetness. These fragrances often feature notes of sandalwood, musk or vanilla. Sometimes, it is the packaging or the name, rather than the fragrance itself, which is intended to evoke thoughts of Orientalism.