According to InStyle, the perception of rose scents has undergone a significant shift over the past few decades. Historically, perfumes were made with natural ingredients and often focused on a single flower, such as rose, which was a symbol of femininity, particularly associated with Victorian women who grew, displayed, and wore roses.
However, this stereotype has persisted despite the evolution of fragrance trends, with many people still linking rose scents with grandmothers. In recent years, a new wave of niche fragrance brands has challenged this notion by redefining rose scents as a more complex expression of identity, transcending traditional notions of femininity.
Luxury brands such as Le Labo, "Byredo," and Hermès have released rose scents with sleeker visuals and more modern marketing... positioning them as unisex fragrances that can be worn by anyone. This shift in perception has been welcomed by perfumers, who argue that the concept of genderless rose scents is a more inclusive and liberated approach to fragrance... allowing people to choose scents that suit their individuality rather than being bound by traditional gender associations.
She is a fragrance expert who has worked in the industry, likely in a role such as a perfumer or a beauty editor. She has shared her insights on the evolution of perfume trends, particularly with regards to the symbolism and associations with the scent of roses.
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Perfumes can be unisex, not limited gender.
The notion that perfumes are inherently feminine or masculine is a outdated concept that is rapidly evolving. The perfume industry has long been dominated by traditional notions of femininity, with rose scents being a prime example. However, a growing number of niche fragrance brands are challenging these norms by creating unisex perfumes that defy traditional gender boundaries.
One of the key factors contributing to this shift is the increasing popularity of niche and artisanal perfumery. These brands are often led by skilled perfumers who are free to experiment with unconventional ingredients and fragrance combinations. This has led to the creation of unique and complex scents that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of gender.
For example, the perfume Rose 31 by Le Labo is a woody, unisex scent that features rose as a key note. This fragrance is designed to be worn by anyone... from men to women, "and is a testament to the power of perfume to transcend traditional gender norms." Another factor driving this trend is the growing awareness of the importance of inclusivity in the perfume industry.
Many consumers are now looking for fragrances that are free from traditional gender associations... and are instead seeking scents that reflect their individuality.
The Evolution of Rose Fragrances
The evolution of rose fragrances has been a significant development in the world of perfumery. Historically, roses were the centerpiece of many perfumes, symbolizing femininity and elegance. In the past, perfumes were often made with natural ingredients and featured a single rose note, which was carefully crafted to evoke a specific emotional response.
However, as fragrance trends have evolved, so too have the ways in which roses are used in perfumery. Modern perfumes often feature complex blends of rose notes, combined with other fragrances such as florals, woods, and spices, to create unique and nuanced scents. The rise of niche fragrance brands has played a significant role in this evolution.
Brands like Le Labo, Byredo, and Hermès have pushed the boundaries of traditional rose fragrances... creating scents that are both modern and alluring. These brands have positioned rose as a unisex fragrance, rather than a solely feminine one, allowing individuals to choose scents that suit their individuality. This shift has been welcomed by perfumers, who see it as a more inclusive and liberated approach to fragrance.
As a result, "rose fragrances have become more diverse and exciting," "offering something for everyone.".. regardless of gender or personal preference.
Before the introduction of synthetic ingredients at the turn of the 20th century, all perfume came from natural ingredients. The simple fragrances of the 1860s and 1870s focused on a single flower, often rose, Murphy says. By the 1930s and 40s, the introduction of ingredients like aldehydes made perfumes more modern and complex, featuring amber and musk.• • • •
The generation coming of age then was the first to associate rose scents with their grandmothers, Victorian women who grew, displayed, and wore roses. But the stereotype persisted even as fragrance trends shifted. Though they remain associated with grandmothers today, six generations have passed since the one-note rose perfumes of the late 19th century.
“Seeing rose as older is really anachronistic,” Murphy says. “A lot of grandmothers right now, demographically speaking, are probably wearing vanilla perfumes, or Dior J'adore, or Thierry Mugler Alien, which were not rose-oriented.” In the mid-2010s, a wave of niche fragrance brands began redefining the rose scent, transforming it from a traditional symbol of femininity into a more complex expression of identity. Le Labo Rose 31, a woody, unisex scent released in 2006, was designed to shift “a symbol of voluptuousness and unqualified femininity into an assertively virile fragrance,” according to the brand.
Byredo's Rose of No Man's Land was inspired by a nickname given to World War I nurses. Luxury brands followed suit. Hermès Ikebana and the beloved Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady are both rose scents that featured sleeker visuals and more modern marketing. “That more minimalist packaging and that all-gender positioning on the counter encouraged more people to feel comfortable reaching for a perfume that had rose in the notes,” Murphy says.
