http://www.fpinva.org/

Natural Perfumery is definitely a growing field, and you might want to look at the interview with Anya McCoy if you didn't see that one already:

http://www.nstperfume.com/blog/_archives/2005/9/14/1224275.html

This article's made me think about some things. I also looked at Greenpeace's chemical analysis of various perfumes…I think I might try steering to perfumes (it looks like there are some) that are less damaging to the environment.

Musk Deer (Endangered Species, very cute little deer)..

http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/q1093e/q1093e03.htm

“..The Chinese have farmed musk deer since 1958 and are reputedly able to milk the musk of males up to 14 times over a period of years: the substance is used in oriental medicine…

(Everywhere else, poaching) of musk-deer by well organized gangs is unchecked. Animals are killed indiscriminately, regardless of sex or age, … Some figures suggest that four or five females and juveniles are killed for every adult male, which alone has musk. Each (male) provides about 20 g of the substance.”

Greenpeace chemical analysis for various perfumes: (some of the info is very interesting..and kinda makes me not want artificial musk getting into the environment.)

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/perfume-an-investigation-of

PDF with the details:

http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/perfume-an-investigation-of.pdf

They still aren't sure what is the cause of all those frogs in the wild disappearing, being born with deformities, and also birds in the Pacific NW developing beak growth deformities.

I'm sure this is the start of a new field in more natural perfuming. If they can grow meat in a petri-dish and human ears on rats, it shouldn't be too long before plants can grow musk.

This is my first venture in the on-line blog world and I must say I've found it fascinating to read all the comments here. I think we creative types in general really appreciate the response our work evokes!

now a bit more on “musk” – please note that my personal aversion to synthetic musks is just that – personal! I don't generally use any fragrance materials that I personally can't stand – this doesn't mean they're bad at all. As a matter of fact I've run across countless people in my time who smell wonderful in musk. also please note that the synthetic forms of musk in use today are perfectly safe – those that were in fact carcinogenic have been dissallowed for use in fragrance for quite some time.

I also really appreciated the comment from IrisLA who likes perfume to be perfume – frankly I'm right there with you my dear. while I do think the walk down memory lane is extremely important in certain fragrances it is certainly not the end of what perfume is.

much of my current work is really about exploring the art of abstract scents – those that simply smell glorious. I've always been fascinated with abstract perfumes and one of the major reasons I chose to leave demeter behind was to get back to exploring just that aspect of the art.

I confess I was compelled to get back to this part of perfume when I smelled the original version of Norell a few years ago. The sample of this scent had been recreated from the original formula by the house that originally made it. it was DIVINE and suddenly I understood not only why so many women asked me to copy it for them (which I do not do) but why they truly loved it. that original Norell was alive in a way that synthetics on their own cannot currently match and it's that living aspect of perfume that I am now out to bottle.

after all, no matter what the concept behind a perfume may be – whether a trip down memory lane or just a simply fabulous smell, the point of perfume is that you feel WONDERFUL when you wear it!

Thanks very much to all & Best Wishes!

Christopher Brosius / Perfumer

I am realizing more & more that I would just as soon not know where any of the ingredients in my fragrances ultimately come from. Real musk makes me a bit squeamish, synthetic musk may well be carcinogenic and certainly is an environmental hazard. I'd rather not think about it!

I'm glad to find out that AC was very much involved in the development of Cumming, and that he is as wonderful a person as he appears to be on stage and screen. I'm also looking forward to YOUR review of this interesting scent tomorrow. Thanks again, R!