Julie Gesnouin, Byzance's Associate and Co-Founder

Julie Gesnouin, Byzance’s Associate and Co-Founder

Originally developed for a major French brand, the generator integrates a technology that diffuses an olfactory cloud using only the perfume concentrate (without the alcohol contained in the formula).

Nowadays, this system is one of the most faithful way to transcribe a perfume and it passes the tests of the most advised noses,” says Julie Gesnouin, Byzance’s Associate Founder. “When you test a perfume on a blotter, there are always olfactory interferences.

In practice, the system is based on a mix of pure perfumed concentrate mixed with dipropylene glycol in proportions that vary depending on the fragrance and the desired cloud volatility.

"The cloud thus created may be more or less volatile according to marketing requirements. We can also control the release time and add LEDs to colour the cloud," details Julie Gesnouin. And the cloud does not trigger smoke detectors!

The development of the blend is validated with the brand and requires about a month. Byzance has carried out numerous tests to assess the safety of its system for the consumer health especially with regard to the inhalation of the smoke.

The generator of scented clouds can be presented in a dedicated support or be duplicated in a display thus allowing the discovery of several fragrances in a raw. It can be integrated into existing counters or used as a standalone in POS.

Olfactory Cloud Experience from BYZANCE on Vimeo.

The cost for a brand is about 550 euros per machine. The kit of three 10 ml vials blends (allowing a total of 600 to 700 tests) costs 50 euros, but brands can manufacture them using their own filling lines. The machines can of course be reused for other fragrances.

For the brands this incoming technology is a new alternative of olfactory discovery for their fragrances. For consumers, it’s a rediscovery of how a perfume is tested. There is a real enthusiasm,” concludes Julie Gesnouin.