Elisabeth de Feydeau – författare

Light, floral, exotic or heady, perfume can be both a precious ally for self-care or the ultimate weapon of seduction. From its origins in ancient times to today's colossal cosmetic industry, the story of perfume is rich and enticing.What parts of the world do fragrances come from? Who invented them and what are their main ingredients? How did perfume cross from the sacred to the profane? Who were the first great perfumers? What role has the fashion industry played in the history of perfume? How do you become a successful 'nose'? What stories lie behind iconic perfumes such as Chanel's N°5, CK One, or Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle? Lavishly illustrated with archival documents from the most beautiful fragrance brands, The Story of Perfume transports its readers into a precious and mesmerizing world. It is the perfect gift for special occasions and a must-have for all perfume lovers.

The untold story of Marie Antoinette's perfumer, Jean-Louis Fargeon.Montpellier, 1748: Jean-Louis Fargeon was born into a family of perfumers and soon became apprentice to his father's modest perfumery. But he dreamed of the glittering court of Versailles and of becoming perfumer to the young queen, Marie Antoinette.His ambition carried him to Paris where his boutique became one of the most elegant and well-patronised in France. Concocting sumptuous perfumes and pomades for most of the French nobility - the ingredients and procedures of which are listed in the book's appendices - Fargeon eventually caught the attention of the queen. After meeting Marie Antoinette in the Trianon Palace, he began creating lavish bespoke scents that perfectly reflected her moods and personality.Through Fargeon's relations with the royal court, where he spent fourteen years as the queen's personal and exclusive perfumer, the reader is granted privileged access to the world of Marie Antoinette. A Scented Palace is a unique perspective on her life including her fascination with dress and fashions - a fascination that was to contribute to her downfall. Fargeon's story touches on many aspects of life in eighteenth-century France, from the development of a bourgeois family and career, to how the suffering of hungry Parisians led to revolt, to in-depth information on the development of the cosmetics and perfume industry and its relation to scientific development during the Enlightenment. The descriptions of Parisian society and commerce provide a window into the ways of life during this turbulent chapter of France's history.