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London Perfume

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London Perfume

We went to countless museums while in London, but this small exhibit at the Somerset House really stood out to me. It was interactive and not just on an olfactory level. While I waited for my husband and nephew to ride the London Eye, I learned about the history, science, and branding of perfume - how a scent can define an era and an identity. (I remember desperately wanting Exclamation when I was in Jr. High. I am sure I would find it a ghastly sweet smell now that I enjoy more earthy notes, but then it was a symbol of being cool and grown up.)

 

The introduction shows the development of fragrance and bottle design, starting with romantic spicy floral scents and ending with the clean unisex scent of CK One.

 Perfume at Somerset House

There were 10 rooms, each with a different scent and way to experience it within the installation.  

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Perfume 1

2

Perfume 2

3

Perfume 3

4

Perfume 4

Perfume 4

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Perfume 5

Perfume 5

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Perfume 6

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Perfume 7

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Perfume 8

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Perfume 9

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Perfume 10

At the end I learned about the properties of each scent presented; some natural like orange blossom and cedar,  some synthetic like semen. None of my predictions on scent notes were correct, but it was fun trying to guess. 

Perfume 11

A painted ceiling as I exited.  

Perfume 12

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