Perfume-Blending in the Men's Department (in person)

What is a cologne? What is a fougere? What were the molecules commonly found on the men’s side of the perfume counter? Join Minetta Rogers for a perfume course incorporating smelling, reading, and scent-blending sessions as you learn about these so-called masculine perfume categories!

Over three sessions at the Institute for Art and Olfaction, the course will provide an overview of the perfume styles traditionally associated with masculinity and the men’s side of the perfume department. Through smelling, making, and discussion, we’ll investigate, experiment, and play with these scents.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Class 1: Sunday, November 8, 2026: Introductions and Cologne

In this class, we will review the syllabus and dive in by exploring the cologne category of fine fragrance. We will start by smelling a selection of fine fragrances shared from the Institute for Art and Olfaction collections supplemented by aromatic materials from our perfume organ.

Following that, we will create our own short classic cologne formulas, then blend them to take home in a splash vial.

Class 2: Sunday, November 15, 2026: Fougere

In this class, we’ll smell through the fougere category of fine fragrance while examining it through various literary and olfactory lenses. We’ll discuss the fougere’s place in perfumery as written about by contemporary authors, perfume critics and writers while smelling through fine fragrances shared from the Institute for Art and Olfaction collections, supplemented by aromatic materials from our perfume organ. 

Following that, we will create our own short classic fougere formulas, then blend them to take home in a splash vial.

Class 3: Sunday, November 22: Perfume Design - Blending Challenge

In this class, we’ll return to some of the key aromatic materials we’ve smelled and worked with previously, now in a more hands-on manner as we focus on perfume-blending. 

In a playful but educational setting, we’ll experiment with and compose individual short formulas building our own “masculine” fine fragrance. Each participant will expand their favorite formula to take one spray vial containing their experimental blend.