Escentric Molecules is a remarkable fragrance company that brought a game-changing innovation to the world of perfumery. The company's origin is intrinsically tied to a synthetic aroma-molecule known as Iso E Super, which was created in a laboratory at IFF in 1973. This molecule, elusive and unknown outside of the perfumery world, hovers in the background of many fragrances, valued by perfumers for its velvety, enveloping effect.
The inception of Escentric Molecules happened when perfumer Geza Schoen recognized the unique allure of Iso E Super. After discovering that this peculiar molecule was a common denominator in all his favorite fragrances, Schoen began to experiment with it in high concentrations. The bold move came when he decided to create a fragrance that comprised an unprecedented 65% of Iso E Super, supplemented by other ingredients to accentuate its character. Even more daring was his second creation – a fragrance that contained nothing but Iso E Super, a unique approach that Schoen initially believed would only appeal to the artists, the outsiders.
However, since its launch in 2006, Escentric Molecules has been nothing short of a sensation. The company's innovative approach to perfume creation has culminated in a series of fragrances, starting with 01 and followed by 02, 03, 04, and finally, a fifth pair, Escentric Molecules 05, introduced in 2020. Each of these fragrance pairs showcases rare aroma-molecules that possess the radiance and depth of character to stand alone.
A standout product is Molecule 01, which has become a cult phenomenon. Described as the 'anti-fragrance fragrance', it has been dubbed the scent of the 21st century. A testament to minimalism, Molecule 01 is composed of a single aroma-molecule. Schoen later expanded on this minimalist concept with Molecule +, a series where Molecule 01 is paired with a single scent ingredient, resulting in fascinating combinations like Molecule + Mandarin, Molecule + Iris, and Molecule + Patchouli.
In essence, Escentric Molecules has been challenging the norms and expectations of the fragrance industry, harnessing the power of synthetic molecules to craft unique, minimalist, and captivating scents that resonate with a diverse range of individuals.