Sunday, April 22, 2007

Fragrance Facts: The Perfume Capital of the World

Grasse, France is considered as the perfume capital of the world. Perfume industry basically have its beginnings in this place in the 16th century as an extension of the glove industry. Grasse had been a flourishing leather and tanning center since the 13th century. When perfumed gloves became fashionable, the town provided them, and when the leather business faded away, the perfume became king.

By the 18th century, aromatic plants were being grown in Grasse to provide the growing perfume industry with raw materials. The region was ideal because of the sunshine and micro-climate that facilitated the growth of the most delicate flowers.

Today, Grasse is still home to hundreds of fragrance factories, and is the site of International Perfume Museum housing an extensive historical collection of fragrances.

Other perfume museums:

Holland: Nederlands Parfumflessen Museum
Japan: Lalique Museum
Spain: Museu del Perfum

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting fact. All I know about perfume is that they are all imported. :D Childish me.. tsk tsk. Thanks for sharing!