"The exploration of fragrances is the discovery of those that resonate with our memory, as a unique and personal experience..."

The odour perception process

When we inhale odoursWhen we smell, the odour molecules attach themselves to receptors in our nose. These receptors then send signals to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted.

Once the brain has interpreted a smell, it associates it with memories and emotions linked to it. For example, the smell of a rose may evoke a bouquet of flowers given on a special occasion, or the smell of fruit may take us back to our earliest childhood! It can also be the memory of dad's lavender perfume, the smell of the little pots of glue at school, or the vanilla smell of the bottom of the saucepans when mum was preparing her custard...

Olfactory memory is so powerful that a simple smell can trigger a cascade of memories and emotions, instantly transporting our minds back to the past.

Get children to work on their memory of smells...

Olfactory memory plays a crucial role in children's sensory development. It enables them to recognise the different smells around them. It is important to stimulate this memory in children, as it contributes to their cognitive and emotional development.

By awakening children's olfactory memory, we give them the opportunity to connect with the world around them in a deeper way. Smells have the power to evoke memories and emotions, and by working on this memory, children strengthen their ability to associate smells with past experiences.

There are many fun activities you can offer children to stimulate their olfactory memory. For example, we can organise scent guessing games, where children have to recognise different scents by associating them with specific objects or situations. They can also smell small pots of aromatic herbs, flowers or spices and be asked to identify them.

Stimulating children's olfactory memory can also have benefits for their emotional well-being. Smells are strongly linked to emotions and by connecting with these olfactory sensations, children can develop a better understanding of their own emotions and even the emotions of others!

  Olfactory memory inspires perfumers!

In the perfume industry, olfactory memory is used creatively to develop new fragrances. Perfumers draw on their olfactory memories to create unique combinations of aromatic notes. This is what makes each fragrance unique, as they have the ability to evoke deep emotions and memories. 

There are many ingredients used in perfumery to awaken olfactory memory. Here are some of the most commonly used ingredients:

 Citrus: Orange, lemon, mandarin and bergamot zests are often used to add a touch of freshness and liveliness to fragrances. Their lively, tangy scent has the power to evoke memories of summer, holidays and sunny moments.

 Flowers: Flowers are very popular in perfumery because they offer a wide variety of scents. Roses, jasmine, iris, orange blossom and lily of the valley are often used to add a touch of femininity and romance to fragrances. Their floral notes often bring back memories of sweetness, romance and happy times.

Spices: Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper add a warm, spicy dimension to fragrances. Their aromas can evoke memories of cooking, festive occasions or travel.

Woods: Woods such as cedar, sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver are often used to add depth and a special note to the fragrance trail. Their woody scents can evoke memories of nature, forests and walks in the great outdoors.

Gourmand notes: Ingredients such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel and almond add a sweet, gourmand touch to fragrances, as do pineapple and peach. Their scents can evoke memories of desserts, delicacies and moments of comfort.

HAROLD & MAUDEevocative fragrances...

HAROLD & MAUDE creates only evocative fragrances. Also known as evocative fragrances, these are emotional fragrances that evoke specific memories, places or experiences. These fragrances are created using combinations of olfactory ingredients that are associated with specific moments in life or specific feelings. The aim of evocative fragrances is to stimulate memories and emotions in those who wear them.

Our customers often say to us when they smell our fragrances: "...It reminds me of something I've smelled before... I don't know where...". This is a very positive reaction, as the fragrance has awakened olfactory memories deep in their memory.

Whether to recall past moments or to create new memories, evocative fragrances offer an extra dimension to the art of perfume by reconnecting scents with the moments and emotions associated with them.

That's why we use so many ingredients for each fragrance.

They are flowers: rose, tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom...

They are fruit: peach, apple, pear, pineapple, etc.

They are spices: saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom,...

They are woody: oud, agar, patchouli, cedar, etc.

They are variously: leather, incense...

Our candles also offer evocative fragrances...

Our 14 scented candles appeal to the olfactory memory! Each one tells a story that we've imagined, and that we describe on the website www.haroldetmaude.eu in every "olfactory walk"!

We've divided these evocation candles into 3 families:

Moments of escape, moments of tranquillity and gourmet moments.

A lovely programme for a walk down memory lane!

Article written by Christian Paindavoine, Founder of La Maison HAROLD & MAUDE

©HAROLD & MAUDE 2023