The Scent of Empires

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Can a drop of perfume encapsulate the story of the twentieth century? In this remarkable exploration, Karl Schlögel delves into the intertwined histories of two renowned fragrances. In tsarist Russia, French perfumers Ernest Beaux and Auguste Michel created scents honoring Catherine the Great for the Romanov dynasty's 300th anniversary. Amidst the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, Beaux fled to France, taking his perfume formula with him. There, he presented Coco Chanel with ten fragrance samples, and she selected number five, which would become Chanel No. 5. Concurrently, in Soviet Russia, Michel revived the perfume industry by transforming his original fragrance into Red Moscow for the Revolution's tenth anniversary. Schlögel weaves together the fates of these two perfumes, revealing a narrative rich with power, intrigue, and betrayal, offering a unique lens on the tumultuous events and politics of the twentieth century. This insightful account of perfume and its connections to history will engage a broad audience, highlighting how scents can carry the weight of historical significance.