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Strict binaries

Posted by Robin on 30 April 2019 7 Comments

Despite evolving conversations around gender fluidity, fragrance is the one space that continues to be defined by strict binaries of feminine and masculine. Florals and delicate smells traditionally have been assigned as feminine, while stronger and muskier scents as masculine.

Patrick Kelly, founder of an innovative fragrance label, Sigil, doesn't subscribe to such archaic restrictions.

— Read more at Sigil Is the Genderless Natural Fragrance Label Disrupting the Mainstream at PaperMag. (Note to aspiring perfume brands: there is not much left in the mainstream fragrance industry that hasn't already been disrupted a thousand times over and then some. You will not be the first.)

Filed Under: perfume in the news
Tagged With: gender, natural perfume, so much disruption so little time

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7 Comments

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  1. Jessica says:
    30 April 2019 at 12:01 pm

    Aw, that’s a cute article.

    lol

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 April 2019 at 12:04 pm

      Seriously, if I see “disrupt” one more time in a fragrance related article…the only thing that hasn’t been disrupted enough is mainstream media perfume coverage!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Regina says:
    30 April 2019 at 12:34 pm

    Echoing your sentiment exactly, Robin. When I hear “fragrance is the one space that continues to be defined by strict binaries of feminine and masculine” I think “this person does not know much about perfume.”

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 April 2019 at 8:00 pm

      And when I hear that ANYBODY is disrupting the fragrance industry, I assume the person has told the journalist they are disrupting the fragrance industry and the journalist has bought that hook, line and sinker.

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    • pyramus says:
      30 April 2019 at 8:15 pm

      Yeah, clothing is *way* more gendered than fragrance. Come back when men regularly wear sequined business suits and chiffon cargo shorts, then we’ll talk.

      Log in to Reply
  3. Aspic says:
    30 April 2019 at 2:14 pm

    I’d love it if one of these indie brands went with paired unisex fragrance releases named:
    wheel (light citrus aquatic) and reinvented (a classic cologne.)

    IMHO they nailed the best unisex fragrance with habit rouge.

    Log in to Reply
    • Jessica says:
      30 April 2019 at 2:43 pm

      Srsly.

      Some 4711 always does the trick for me…

      Log in to Reply

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