You Smell Like Where You're From

This is not a perfume masterclass. You already know what you like. You reach for the same bottle, the same notes, the same warmth or freshness that just feels right. But that instinct isn't as personal as you think. Fragrance preferences don't emerge in a vacuum. They're shaped by climate, culture, history, and the invisible expectations of the society you grew up in. Scandinavians lean clean and aquatic. Southern Europeans go richer, darker, more animalic. The Dutch relationship with scent reflects something specific about Dutch identity — and the fragrance industry has been tracking all of it for years. Pierre trained at the École Supérieure du Parfum in Paris and has worked across Givaudan — the world's largest fragrance company — and Nez, the leading fragrance culture publication. He's spent his career decoding cultural signals and translating the mood of a market into what ends up on a shelf. This is the inside view. What the industry knows about your nose that you don't. The format Doors open at 19:00 — come early, grab a drink, mingle before it starts. The talk begins at 19:30: 45 minutes, followed by an open Q&A. No official end — the bar stays open after, so stick around to keep talking with Pierre. The talk is in English. Karavaan is a smaller venue than our usual spots — fewer seats than a typical Lecture Lounge night, so it's worth getting your ticket sooner rather than later. About Lecture LoungeA monthly series of expert-led talks, held in your (new) favorite bars. One subject, one speaker, intimate enough size to ask anything. Somewhere between a bar and a classroom. Every event so far has sold out.