The British Society of Perfumers (BSP) in collaboration with Biolandes is set to host A Trip to Seville on September 18-21, 2024. The event is designed for attendees to "discover the magic of Cistus harvesting.
Ahead of the upcoming Cistus adventure, Perfumer & Flavorist+ connected with BSP president Denise McLaverty to discuss the finer details of the September 18 event as well as other upcoming BSP projects.
We are just weeks away from BSP x Biolandes’ Trip to Seville, can you share some insight into this partnership and what inspired this trip collaboration?
Denise McLaverty [DM]: Conferences such as World Perfumery Congress, SIMPPAR, and IFEAT have provided us with a platform to talk about who we are and what we do as a Society. Equally, we have been able to build on existing relationships and develop new alliances which is fantastic.
BSP and Biolandes have been collaborating on this project since last November. Together we explored different options at their different facilities in Europe to establish what might be interesting to Perfumers and those in related roles. We are grateful for the invitation and opportunity as it comes to fruition in the next few weeks!
Can you share a little bit about what attendees can expect to experience from this trip?
DM: Attendees are invited to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Cistus harvesting and distillation at Biolandes’ state-of-the-art facilities. Discover and see first-hand how Biolandes maintains its high standards of quality and sustainability. Enjoy an informative interactive olfactive session about Cistus extracts with Biolandes in-house Perfumer Cedric Alfenore. Stay in the heart of Seville and experience the charm and beauty of a city rich in history and culture. Meet other BSP members and network with industry professionals. It is always a thrilling experience when a perfumer gets to see the ingredients they use from the field to the lab to ensure the purity, quality, and sustainability. One can see first-hand, the manpower needed, the labor, and the science behind the ingredient, and can better understand its full aromatic potential to create authentic and refined fragrances. A trip to Seville and the Cistus fields is a unique opportunity to fully understand the beauty of the Cistus Ladanifer plant and all the aromatic products derived from it, let alone the visit to a beautiful and historical city of Spain!
Can anyone join or do they need to be a member of BSP?
DM: You do not need to be a member to join us on the trip. We wanted to give our members the first exclusive opportunity and have only just extended the invitation to our valued associated Societies and fragrance industry professionals who may wish to consider membership.
What is the significance of Cistus? What are some of the ways perfumers utilize this ingredient? Do you have a favorite?
DM: Cistus absolute, derived from the Cistus Ladanifer plant, is a highly appreciated ingredient in perfumery due to its rich, warm, and complex aroma profile. It possesses a balsamic, sweet, and slightly leathery scent with hints of amber, giving depth and sensuality to a fragrance formula. It is commonly used in perfumery as a key ingredient in many ambery, leathery and chypre fragrances and helps increase the longevity of a perfume on the skin. Its versatility allows it to blend well with a wide range of other ingredients like citrus, floral and spicy notes, making it a valuable ingredient in a perfumer's palette.
What else is on the agenda for BSP before 2024 wraps?
DM: September 12, 2024: We return from the summer holidays with a joint online event co-hosted with the British Society of Flavourists to mark World Taste and Smell Day. Our guest speakers will be Rachel Herz, Ph.D. and Melina Napolitano on the topic of how scents influence our lives and societies.
September 18, 2024: Seville Trip.
October 2024: TBC.
November 2024: Fine Fragrance Evening presented by VP, Virginie Daniau.
February 6, 2025: Joint event with the Society of Cosmetic Scientists at the RSC, London.
Anything in the future perfumers can be on the lookout for from BSP?
DM:The BSP has evolved to become more inclusive and international with Council members from the UK and also from Greece, France, Belgium and Russia! We are currently working on our events calendar with more announcements to be made very soon!
