The session also offered insights into pheromone-based fragrance experiments and customised body scents.
Mruthula Pradeep, food vlogger “I was fascinated to learn that fragrances in India can range from around ₹250 to crores, depending on the ingredients, extraction and rarity. We introduced them to attar, modern perfumery, natural and synthetic materials, blending techniques and the importance of selecting formulations that work well with Indian skin and climate.
It would be exciting to experiment with different notes and eventually create a fragrance that has a personal identity,” says Harshitha Nambiar, entrepreneur and actress. Dr Mohammed Afeefuddin, perfumer and organiser of the workshop, shares, “Chennai has always had a connection with fragrance through its trade, temples, traditional attar use and the movement of spices, flowers and aromatic materials. The purpose of this workshop was to help participants understand what actually goes into a perfume rather than simply buying and wearing one. We also discussed how body scent and pheromone-inspired fragrances can be explored through modern perfumery. “What surprised me was how accessible perfume-making can be. We learnt about the materials, proportions and blending process, and I could actually imagine starting with small batches from home. It made fragrance feel like a possible business. I also realised how much creativity goes into developing a scent and how even small changes in the blend can completely transform its character. It completely changed how I look at an expensive bottle and what goes into it. I realised that the value of a fragrance is often rooted in the craftsmanship, time and quality of materials behind the final blend,” informs Mahalakshmi, investment banker.
