Emma Vernon answers all my questions (and I have a lot)
Learn from my favorite fraghead who taught me everything I know about fragrance (this is only a slight exaggeration)
I have listened to so many episodes of Emma Vernon’s podcast, Perfume Room, that by the time I actually talked to her, I felt like we were already old friends. Emma is disarming and welcoming and someone you feel like you could talk to for hours, and not just about perfume. Which is probably why she’s been able to create such a thriving community around her pod. She hosts a monthly Smell Club where she curates 5 fragrances based around a common theme or note — it’s like a book club except everyone is smelling in real time and sharing their reactions and thoughts. People zoom in for it from around the country and tickets sell out quickly, even with three sessions offered. It’s become one of the highlights of my month. There’s something special about how easily Emma can get people excited about perfume, an industry that’s traditionally felt intimidating and gate kept. She’s used her popular platform to promote countless perfumers, many just starting out or not well know. Generous in sharing her knowledge and her platform, she’s a rare selfless influencer (although so much more really) who genuinely feeds off of other people’s creativity and passion.
When I decided to launch Dry Down Diaries I felt like I needed to be armed with a little more knowledge than just my obsessive passion for fragrance, how would I talk about scent and what would I write about? I read books, perfume reviews, and listened to podcasts as I thought about how DDD would take shape and nothing made me more excited to do the damn thing than Emma’s podcast. She helped me realize there were no real rules and that all feelings and smells that come to you when you experience a fragrance are legit, even if they’re not listed in the marketing copy.
Convincing Emma to start a Substack was a bit of a selfish endeavor— I wanted to read what she had to say about perfume, and I’m on a quest to get the best fragrance writing and community on Substack. Subscribe to her and pay for her writing! She deserves it. She’s sharing reviews, behind-the-scenes videos, Q&As, and more on
. If you’re an aspiring fraghead, already obsessed with fragrance, or even just a little bit curious, Emma will be the best guide for you on your fragrance journey or just keep you entertained.Read on to get a glimpse into Emma’s brilliant mind and have your notes app open to jot down the many fragrances and brands she recommends.
What are you wearing?
Electimuss Persephone’s Patchouli. It’s an incredible perfume that smells like patchouli, melted butter, and flowers. The dry-down smells like your lover's t-shirt a few days after wear.
Who is making the most unique and unusual fragrances right now?
And wearable? ;) I’d say Jorum Studio (with the caveat that I don’t find all of them to be personally wearable). Most of their scents have no industry benchmarks or references and feel like they were conceived out of thin air. And I love that.
Why are you obsessed with smell and fragrance? What do you love about it?
It’s a lens through which most of us are able to perceive the world and yet, so many of us don’t. Actively and mindfully smelling my way through my days forces me to be present and also helps me pick up on things that otherwise go unnoticed. At best, it makes me feel like a psychic, and at minimum, a detective. And that’s fun. (Yes, I’m a Scorpio.)
The brands you would recommend to someone just getting into perfume?
I'd start with brands whose fragrances are most familiar/palatable/likable enough to wear daily but are different/interesting enough to make you curious. And also ones with enough variety and nice discovery kits! A few that come to mind: Matiere Premiere, Headspace, Essential Parfums (the last one being the most affordable).
What’s your favorite rose perfume? (a selfish question, I love all things rose.)
It so depends on what kind of rose you’re looking for! Vegetal/petal-y/coquette/chalky: Annick Goutal Rose Splendide; a red rosey-rose: Serge Lutens Sa Majeste La Rose; a glamorous chypre: Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady; Recently I tried Rose Adage from Odette, and it smells like pure fairy dust. I could go on…
What were you wearing to the mall as a teenager?
I’ve been a collector ever since I was a kid so the answer could be anything from Ralph Lauren Ralph, DKNY Be Delicious, Escape Ibiza Hippie, YSL Baby Doll, Versace Bright Crystal, FCUK Her, Burberry Brit (the EDT). There are so many others and it all depends on the day/year we’re talking!
Most overlooked and underrated fragrance more people should try?
Hmm, lots of people haven’t tried La Perla just because its distribution and sampling opportunities are so (annoyingly) limited. Bastide is a brand I rarely hear discussed. Their frags are super likable and the price point is relatively reasonable.
Which fragrance feels most like home to you?
Molecule 01+Iris. Essential Faith. Vanilla Nomad. All for different reasons :)
If you were going to partner with an existing fragrance house to create a perfume, which one would it be?
Ask me this question again in a few months. ;) ;) ;)
Best thing you’ve smelled this week?
Dusita Pelagos. It’s the perfume manifest of “lady in the street, freak in the sheets.” From far away, it’s my grandmother’s lipstick. Up close, it’s raunchy and dank and makes you want to light a cigarette and drink more water.
Who do you love to follow for perfume reviews and news?
I love Matt Morris’ writing and always have. We also have very similar tastes and sometimes, like a game of perfume mindmeld, they'll publish a review about a certain fragrance or brand at the same time as I'm wearing or testing it. And more often than not, we have similar takeaways. Matt has an exceptional way of placing fragrances in references that are both visceral and abstract; ones I likely would never have conceived of on my own, but that make me nod enthusiastically, forgetting I ever thought anything else.
I am a crazy person and started from episode one when I found your podcast. It’s been an amazing education in fragrance for me. Which episodes have been some of your favorite to record and where would you tell someone to start if they’re new to Perfume Room?
Would love your POV on this! I'd say both Michael Edwards episodes, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Honorine Blanc, Olivier Cresp, Frank Voelkl, Alberto Morillas, Ann Gottlieb, Aurelien Guichard, Hilde Soliani, Alexis Grugeon/Segolene Dewey! Some other fun ones that come to mind: the Britney ep with Liz Renstrom, Dave1, Margaret Cho, El-Aton Georges, Christopher Chong, Hayley Kiyoko! Dr. Tristram Wyatt for a scientific POV on the highly-debated topic of pheromones... Solo eps for more of my personal takes. It's so hard to pick. I really have enjoyed every single guest and am proud of every published ep.
What’s the best part of Smell Club?
The community and the routine. It's something I look forward to each and every month, and for repeat Smell Clubbers (and most are!), they do too. It's like a catch-up/hang with the same friends each month! AND we get to smell niche perfumes?! C'mon!
You have a popular podcast, just launched a Substack, and have built an incredible community around fragrance. What’s next? Can you share any new projects you’re thinking about or currently working on or dreaming of doing?
More IRL perfume experiences and something related to that question above. ;)
What does the Perfume Room pod smell like?
My cat Violet. She loves to rub up against my microphone so it’s consistently covered in her fur. Violet smells like the leftover milk of Cinnamon Life cereal.
What does Emma Vernon smell like?
I see what you’re doing here ;) In my fantasies, this. Can you smell it?
Thanks for answering all my questions Emma! And for inspiring so many of us obsessed with fragrance. You’re a treasure.
Some of my personal favorites from Perfume Room. You can start anywhere and you’ll learn a ton in every episode:
Your intro 🥹 thank you so much for the very kind words! So happy you’re part of Smell Club and thanks for getting me on Substack 🩷🩷🩷
Fantastic read!! I can’t wait to read more from you 🩷