One of my favourite women involved in fragrance is Lizzie Ostrom, who as her alter ego Odette Toilette runs enjoyable and informative scented events. Lizzie has been extremely generous with her time and encouragement over We Wear Perfume and we have a great interview with her here if you have the time to read it.
Lizzie is hugely knowledgeable and her first book is a joyous canter through important scents lunched during each decade of the twentieth century. She writes with a clear headed and insightful voice, completely free of the pompous bunkum we often see in fragrance writing. If you have any interest in perfume and how it has shaped modern history and culture, then you’ll find this a fabulous read. It would also make an excellent present for a perfume or beauty fan.