The fragrance industry stays at a fantastic advantage to re-invent itself every year. After all, the Earth is abundant with materials to make scents out of and the ever-growing demand for fresh fragrances from consumers is enough to keep the innovation wheel turning. This year is no different as we already see new fragrance trends getting popular and we got the scoop on what will be flying off the shelves from the French Perfumery Alexandre.J that recently launched in India to tap into the market that already has its own unique fragrance culture.
“Our introduction of Alexandre J perfumes in India represents a fusion of French craftsmanship and global appeal. With three distinct collections, we aim to cater to a wide spectrum of consumer preferences and budgets. Each fragrance is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, offering consumers a unique olfactory experience. From the elegant bottle designs to the carefully selected scents, our perfumes embody a sense of refinement and sophistication. We're excited to share our passion for fragrance with Indian consumers, providing them a glimpse into the world of Alexandre J," reveals Ms Amelie Jabban, global brand director of Alexandre J Parfums.
Notes and all
If you have your fragrance personality figured out, chances are you already know which notes get your heart racing. While florals and must seem to defy trends and seasonality to stay in vogue all year, certain others manage to take the limelight away from them for a brief period of time. “Gourmet notes like dates are currently performing exceptionally well. Last year, cherry and pistachio made a comeback in the perfume market and are still in vogue. However, there is a growing preference for the use of exotic fruits such as passion fruit, dragon fruit, litchi, and apples as top note . We have also observed a resurgence of nostalgic scents like hot milk and smoky oud,” reveals Amelie while discussing the biggest fragrance trends for 2024.
Formulations for the win
That was about the notes, but what about people who don't necessarily have a preference for the olfactory elements of perfumes. Elaborating on the formulations, Amelie opines, "This year, transparent fragrances are trending, with perfumers experimenting to create scents without distinct top, heart, or base notes. Unisex fragrances continue to enjoy significant success, and a new trend known as 'shadering' is emerging after ‘layering’. This involves applying different fragrances to different parts of the body to create a unique, non-uniform blend. Oriental perfumes also remain highly popular."
Much like other beauty markets, the average consumer of fragrances has also evolved in the past decade and conscious consumption seems to be at the forefront of their buying behaviour. “With sustainability in focus, the perfume industry is prioritising eco-friendly practices like using sustainable packaging and responsibly sourced ingredients. Manufacturers are phasing out animal-derived materials and complying with regulations like IFRA. Alexandre J promotes natural ingredients, educates consumers on perfume evolution, and stands for sustainability with reusable packaging and recyclable materials, minimising plastic and carton use,” reveals Amelie.
An unlikely trend emerging?
“A decade ago, niche perfumes had a predominant presence in CIS countries and the Middle East. In recent years, there has been a notable expansion into Southeast Asia, particularly in China, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. While the trend is global, many markets are still relatively new to selling luxury scents, requiring extensive education, training, and retail changes,” explains Amelie. For the uninitiated, niche perfumery refers to the making of unique and exclusive fragrances that are often crafted with a focus on quality, creativity, and individuality. Unlike mainstream, designer or mass-produced fragrances crafted by large perfume houses, niche perfumes are created by smaller, independent perfumers or houses.
Amelie concludes her views by saying, “In the case of India, it presents substantial growth opportunities. With the evolving retail landscape and increased stakeholder involvement, we anticipate India transforming into an essential market for niche perfumery within the next five years, following a trend observed in China. The heightened sensitivity to perfume, aesthetics, and colors, along with the perpetual growth of the beauty market, presents significant potential for the niche perfume industry.”