In perfume industry »a bottle is worth a thousand sniffs.«
Perfume bottle (Photo: Unsplash)
“The bottle attracts the consumers’ eye and sells the image – it is the door to the fragrance inside.”
It’s true that once you peel away the layers of mystery and artistry, perfume bottles serve a pretty basic function. Yes, they’re lovely to behold, their crystal necks and flower-bulb stoppers are like perfect glass gardens. But at the end of the day, they’re designed to hold and dispense fragrance, right?
Not entirely ture.
When it comes to perfume bottles, it is for example the attention to detail that speaks to luxury, and for the scent business, packaging really can add value. The bottle attracts the consumers’ eye and sells the image – it is the door to the fragrance inside. Not only can aesthetics lead to different aspirations, but also promote sales. The right perfume bottle design boosts the value of the scent, allowing luxury perfume houses to gain both more profits and a stronger market presence.
However, a perfume bottle is not only that. The bottle should be an »objet d’art« – it’s really what makes the statement.
Art object (Photo: Unsplash)
Perfume bottle design is also every brand’s opportunity to tell its story about a fragrance, and the brand itself. The bottle is the first form of communication with a customer and the first contact that people have with a scent. So, of course, it has to resonate.
Don’t believe us? Just consider: Chanel No. 5 rarely performs well in blind smell tests; our modern sensibilities are accustomed to lighter, airier compositions. But housed in its classic glass flacon, the fragrance is a global best seller.
People love the stories and what they stand for. And the story behind a perfume bottle is just as heady and complex as the fragrance inside. Think of how we grow to appreciate the little quirks and imperfections in the people we fall in love with.
“The bottle should tell a story about a fragrance and the brand, but also be and an »objet d’art«. It has to resonate as a wholesome image.”
Storytelling (Photo: Pexels)
The stronger our emotional connection, the more beauty we see. It is the same with a perfume. Even if the perfume is amazing, people won’t buy it if they don’t understand it. They need to feel a connection or it just doesn’t work.
Ever heard of the saying “First impressions last”? Well, the same applies to perfumes and their bottles. Much like the scent it holds, the bottle’s design, colour, and even the way it spritzes are huge factors in helping translate the scent better. If you’ve ever grabbed a bottle of perfume because of the way it looks, we’re here to tell you that that’s totally normal!
Bottle design helps tell the story
Photo by Valeria Boltneva
Suggested reading:Perfume bottle designs can range from every shape and colour you can imagine. Some bottles have the most intricate glasswork you could see. While others have a more classic and bold approach, there are those with the most minimalist looks.
Through the bottle design, perfumers get a chance to tell the story of their scent even prior to a customer getting a single whiff of it. It tells you about who they are, what their brand stands for, and what kind of scent awaits you in that bottle.
It affects your perception of the scent
You might not know it, but bottle design affects how you perceive the scent it carries. This is precisely why perfumers work extra hard to develop the look of the bottle. It could range from luxurious, to casual, and everything in between. With just a glimpse of the bottle, the intent is that you’ll instantly know what type of scent it is.
Research has shown that we associate certain shapes and colours with specific moods and atmospheres. Red and yellow are perceived as bright, fruity, and floral. Blues bring the coldness of ice or the cleanliness it brings. And earth tones like green and brown leave you with the warm woody aroma of the forest. Hard shapes like cubes are an indicator of strength and boldness. While spherical or flowing bottle designs leave you with softness or a mysterious feeling.
It creates a lasting impression
Photo by Felicia Tai
Perfumes have been around for quite a while now. We already have scents that we can consider timeless which people recognize with just one sniff. You have the classic scents like Chanel No. 5, or even the Marc Jacobs Daisy. Along with the timelessness of their scent is the infallibility of their bottle designs.
Let’s take the famous Marc Jacobs Daisy as an example. It’s one of the most iconic scents out there being regarded as the perfect flower power scent for summer days. And just like the lasting floral scent it holds, the bottle makes its mark on history as an iconic bottle design.
Even with bottle design, the devil is in the details
Just as it was with telling stories, designing perfume bottles is a tedious and long process, with details being refined by their makers and the scent creators down to the finest line. This shows the perfumers’ amazing attention to detail and their level of commitment to the craft, all so they can deliver the best experience to the wearer.
It’s an avenue for creativity and art
A perfume bottle, on its own, is simply an artwork. That’s what they are meant to be other than being a vessel for your lovely scent. The reason hours go into designing a bottle is that it’s meant to be an objet d’art — a small art collection, to be enjoyed upon.
It’s also a perfect breeding ground for designs that go beyond the conventional bottle. Lately, more and more designers are exploring out-of-the box approaches to delivering their scents – take for example the COMME des GARÇONS’ Concrete perfume that mimics the actual texture of concrete, or the Ron Arad collaboration with Kenzo where they made a bottle that perfectly evokes sensuality.
Grab that bottle
If you’ve ever felt guilty for impulsively grabbing a scent just because of the bottle design, then you shouldn’t feel any shame at all! We totally get you — we all love pretty things! And wouldn’t it be so nice to have your favourite perfume in not just an ordinary vessel but a piece of art?This just goes to show that art and design, when partnered with the right scent, can go a long way— a perfect representation of not just the perfumer, but the type of scent you love enveloping yourself in.
Resources:
• Aromatics, A. (2021, December 25). Why Perfume Bottle Design Is As Important As Scent Design. Alpha Aromatics. https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/perfume-bottle-design/ • Lodge, S. (2022, March 11). A Brief History of Perfume Bottles. Scent Lodge. https://scentlodge.com/a-brief-history-of-perfume-bottles/ • N. (2021a, May 24). WHY PERFUME BOTTLE DESIGN IS AS IMPORTANT AS SCENT DESIGN? HOW PERFUME BOTTLE AFFECTS YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE SCENT. NINUPERFUME. https://ninu-perfume.com/why-perfume-bottle-design-is-as-important-as-scent-design-how-perfume-bottle-affects-your-perception-of-the-scent/#:%7E:text=Not%20only%20can%20aesthetics%20lead,and%20a%20stronger%20market%20presence
• Schaffner, L. (2020, January 22). Perfume Bottle Designers Reveal What Goes Into Their Creations. Allure. https://www.allure.com/gallery/perfume-bottle-designs • Staff, W. (2018, August 14). Fragrance bottles: a decade of design innovation. Wallpaper*. https://www.wallpaper.com/lifestyle/the-best-innovative-fragrance-bottle-designs • U. (2021b, December 24). WHY IS PERFUME BOTTLE DESIGN AS IMPORTANT AS SCENT DESIGN? KDJ Inspired. https://kdjinspired.com/2021/10/10/why-is-perfume-bottle-design-as-important-as-scent-design/ • ZHEJIANG B.I. INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (2021, April 15). The Importance of Perfume Bottle Design Instructions. https://www.bi-packaging.com/the-importance-of-perfume-bottle-design-instructions.htm
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