Why can’t we use the term “oriental” any longer?
In view of the problems and issues of ethics, inclusiveness and diversity challenges that our industry is facing on a global scale, we need to rethink the use of the term “oriental” to avoid any colonialist connotations or clichés, relics of an outdated exoticism. And, above all, to explore more varied territories of olfactory expression.
What does the ISPC recommend instead?
The Perfumers-Creators of the International Society of Perfumers-Creators (ISPC), have decided to recommend the original name Amber, referring to the definition given by the French Perfumers’ Society’s (SFP) classification of perfumes. From now on, only this Amber fragrance terminology and its subsequent sub-classifications such as Amber-Sweet, Amber-Floral, Amber-Floral-Spicy, etc. will be used to describe fragrances whose main agreement refers to these definitions.
How did ISPC come to this decision?
This decision came after several months of consultations with various major players in our industry, in France[1] and internationally. The French Perfumers Society or SFP, the FEBEA and the Fragrance Foundation France, the British Society of Perfumers (BSP), the American Society of Perfumers (ASP), the Deutschen Gesellschaft der Parfümeure (DGP), the Spanish Perfume Academy and the American Fragrance Foundation have taken similar measures regarding this issue.
