Chanel No. 5: The Art and Science Behind a Timeless Perfume

Flavor and fragrance expert Michelle Krell Kydd explores the art and science behind the creation of Chanel No. 5 through a past, present, and future lens. The presentation took place at the Ann Arbor District Library on February 10, 2015 and is part of the "Smell and Tell" series of lectures, which began in 2012 and is ongoing.

Ingredients used in perfumery as well as finished fragrances are demoed at Smell and Tell lectures. Attendees are taught how to develop an olfactory lexicon via “Smell Mapping,” a technique designed by Ms. Kydd that is inspired by perfumery training she received at Givaudan and The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

Michelle Krell Kydd is the editor of Glass Petal Smoke, an award winning blog focused on flavors and fragrance. She is a trained "nose" and is passionate about exploring the art-science connection in perfumery.

Further Reading:

"The Jean Carles Method: Olfactory Training Charts Revealed," contains information on the method used to train perfumers how to smell and develop an olfactory lexicon. This post is another Glass Petal Smoke favorite.

[nikhilsfrags]

What a beautiful lecture and delivery. Bring more please.

[iramazul]

Beautiful lecture by Michelle! 👏 Chanel Nº5 is my absolute favourite perfume. It's magic in a bottle. 😍 Being a Pharmacy Technician, I have always found perfumes fascinating. 🥰

[edpetrus]

Just watched this presentation, wonderful, thank you. I found your talk because I've been looking for a connection between a perfume by Houbigant called Quelques Fleurs and no 5. Apparently the former is a revived old recipe that was supposed to be loved by the last of the French royals. When I was introduced to it by a salesman in San Francisco, he said something about Coco Chanel using it as an example of a perfume she liked. It struck me how similar it is to No 5 and I bought it for my younger daughter as a Xmas gift but she's letting it sit unused. It truly is a wonderful floral perfume. Perhaps there are some common standout ingredients? Look forward to any insight you might have.

[jazellevalentine]

Chanel no 5 is my favorite perfume. I’m 19 and I’ve been wearing it for two years. It smells lovely on my skin and body chemistry. Also, I literally live in Ann Arbor so I was shocked that the AADL has a lecture on my favorite perfume.

[sharfalor]

My mum has worn Chanel No 5 for 50 years (most of my life).

Interestingly I've only ever come across two women who despise and avoid any kind of perfume, both cook very bland/un seasoned food. They both suffered abusive childhood relationships with their mothers. Having said that they both use overly chemical smelling cleaning products. One claims to be sensitive to any additives in skin care, but a look around her bathroom soaps etc tells me otherwise. I wonder if they are unconsciously avoiding smells that remind them of their childhood.

[goodtrubble]

Great information! I'll watch again to take in more. I like this lecture a lot.

[annemiekevandenbelt]

Great lecture! I’m a perfume addict as well since age 13, love Chanel and not only No. 5 but a lot more of those gorgeous scents :)

[BobbyDior]

This was wonderful! My favorite CHANEL perfume has been Pour Monsieur and now, Coromandel. On a woman, I identify more with COCO edp. My bottle of No. 5 is the Ruby Red edition from two years ago. I brought it out and spritzed my forearm with it as I listened to Michelle's presentation. Mahalo for this!

[Jade]

One memory when I hear Chanel No. 5... I took an aromatherapy exam wearing No. 5 like crazy and I passed 🎉

Another funny memory... I encountered a hummingbird around artificial flowers on vacation, and I instantly knew why - I was wearing No. 5 😂.

[Jade]

I think the link between our memory and smell is constructed just like our brain or computer mechanism.

Once you hit the neuro link, the connection will be there for (I think it was) 20 years if my memory was correct. Moreover, the link can possibly develop neuroplasticitically in their olfactory system, in my theory. It almost feels like time travel.

When it comes to No. 5, it is the symbol of absolute harmony in the perfumery to me.

I do appreciate perfume genre of Chanel.

[sunburnchaplips]

My Mother wore Chanel number five in the 1970's and I was a child. I loved that smell. It does not today smell the same.

[annamariaferranti]

Excellent talk so enjoyed it. I will Definitely review this again and again so informative .
Thank you

[shahrilpower]

wow i learn so much ... and the way she lecturer it .... it sounded so entertaining

[EliezaBaby]

Omg best lecture ever. Keep it coming please .

[tomasinacovell]

I learned a lot from this, and yesterday I just ordered yet another bottle of Chanel No.5. What is that watch you have on, and you remind me a little of
Elisabeth Moss and someone else... I can't think of?

[sarahsmile]

this was a great lecture, thank you!! I have always been very much into fragrance because the memories that are triggered.

[LarryOfilms]

I heard she was inspired the decanters her lover Boi had for the bottle’s design.

[dondizm]

I love the science and poetry behind Chanel N5! Thank you and yes there is no gender to perfumes. 🙂

[kendalson]

The first overdose of that laundry powder musk in scent was in Drakkar Noir. I've always hated it and can't figure out why people want to smell like a box of Tide. Horses for courses.

[digitalsmoke]

was chanel No.5 reformulated from the original?