I visited a unique exhibit at Longwood Gardens today, Making Scents The Art and Passion of Fragrance. It got me thinking about the connection between Fragrance and Fashion and of course the natural part of fragrance so we arrive at the topic for How Green is Your Closet?
Fragrance is generally the last thing we put on as part of our toilette and the first thing others notice about us. Interesting thought. Scents evoke emotions and memory and can define personal image and style. Nature provides the scent and sometimes technology is used to enhance them or give them longer life. Each fragrance includes a base note, middle note and top note.
The exhibit at Longwood is interesting. It explains the rich history of fragrance, fragrance makers or "noses", and bottle design. Various plants are designated as "I'm Fragrant" and the viewer can actually test a smell. Visitors are invited to make their own signature scent, combining a variety of options for base, middle and top notes. Once combined the scent is delivered on a scratch and sniff paper. Great fun. As the season commences, different scent options will be revealed so this is an exhibit that will change over time and offer up new reveals with each visit. You may want to get a season pass.
Garden Botanika, an online body product store, allows customers to design a custom scent as well. For $32 you can be your own "nose" and develop a highly personal scent. I gave this a try and got many compliments on the result - now if I could only remember the formula;)
Fragrance can be used in your closet in sachet form or as a pomander ball to infuse your personal preference into your clothes. Orange and clove pomander balls are easy to make and are great for you or to give as gifts. Used in Victorian times to mask odors with citrus, pomander balls also act as a natural air freshener and repel moths. Great smell, no bugs, good deal!
