Views from a Paris window   +  review

The Perfume Diaries at Harrods

Like many people, I find the prospect of a room of exhibits with notes and written explanations a tad on the dry side. However, I was lucky enough to be part of a group given a guided tour of the The Perfume Diaries by Roja Dove. Roja is one of those intriguing people that you can't help but be fascinated by. His enthusiasm for the exhibition was infectious. As well as a huge amount of history, Roja added a healthy dollop of anecdote, hearsay and, let's be honest, gossip to a painstakingly well researched exhibition.

The exhibition tells the tale of perfume, focusing initially on 1800 to 1900 and then decade by decade up to the modern day. I can't even begin to recount the detailed level of information. But if you're interested in perfume, the perfume industry, and perfume packaging, then The Perfume Diaries is not to be missed.

Harrods' exhibition The Perfume Diaries runs until 2nd October.