Perfumes and their aromatic aesthetics have always been associated with divinity, beauty and sensuality. Traversing through time, it has taken several forms like that of herbs, burning wood, and incense but back in the days it was mostly used in its crude form as perfume oils. Crude perfume oil in the Middle East was known as ‘attar’, meaning, made by nature but tested by time. The tradition of attar making is believed to be rooted in Persia, where owing to their Islamic tradition, fragrances did not contain alcohol.
According to historians, the process of attar-making in India dates back to the Mughal period when perfumes were integral to soothe the body and mind of the royals against the hot climate. Emperor Jahangir, whose wife Noorjahan is said to have been a connoisseur of attar, is often credited as the first patron of attar industry. Soon people began experimenting with natural scents, with the encouragement of Jahangir, leading to a culture of attar-making that continues to this day.
Perfumes and perfumery are grounded in the rich history of ancient India. In the archaic Indian history, aromatics such as sandalwood, camphor and saffron, were not only considered as divine offerings, but were also associated with the prestige and luxury of a household. All fragrances were inspired by nature and were carefully crafted through an interplay of aromatic natural elements. India being a country that abounds with lavish flora, offering a wide range of aromatic plants and flowers, the culture of perfumes is deeply embedded in its heritage. It has experienced the various phases of history, witnessing ceaseless evolution in its form, blend and the way it has been embraced by the perfume connoisseurs.
The Vintage Bloom collection by Fernweh is a fine blend of perfume oils sourced from various parts of India. Inspired by the age old tradition of using perfume oils in their crude form, the collection brings back the luxurious experience of perfume oils that bring to you a soothing olfactory experience of the wide range of aromatic botanicals of India. The fragrances are an addictive concoction of the traditional floral perfume oils, an attempt to reintroduce the concept of attars that is etched in the heritage of Indian perfumery.
Shop Vintage Bloom Collection here
