Remembering your first ever fragrance and the emotions associated with it is unique to each one of us. From feeling oh-so grown-up when wearing your first scent to school to triggering long-lost memories of a special occasion, everyone will have their reason why it holds a special place in their heart. Do you remember yours?
Alzheimer’s Research UK
While many people will easily recall their first fragrance, others may feel that moment slipping away.
At The Perfume Shop, we want to help people protect these treasured memories and that’s why we’re passionate supporters of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Sadly, memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of dementia, a condition which is affecting almost one million people in the UK today.
For many years it has been feared there was no way to put a stop to dementia, but a host of recent advances in research means a path to a cure is in sight! It’s now a matter of when, not if, life-changing treatments arrive.
So, to show support for our charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, we invited our Perfume People to reflect on their first-ever fragrances to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’ and raise awareness of the urgent need for more research into the condition.
Remembering Our First Fragrances
Knowing by Estee Lauder
By Gill Smith, Managing Director
My first grown up perfume was Knowing by Estée Lauder. I went on my first holiday in the 90s with my boyfriend (now husband) to the Greek Islands and on the ferry our holiday rep was wearing this. I loved it straight away and asked for the details which I had never done before. It has my favourite ingredients – rose and jasmine. A similar fragrance, with those same rose and jasmine notes, is the well loved Youth Dew by Estée Lauder.
Cathy Newman, Marketing & Customer Experience Director
My first ever “proper” perfume was Chloe original, which came out in 1975 and I think it was originally by Karl Lagerfeld. Although I don’t wear it anymore, it still holds dear to me as my mum and dad bought it for me back from their holiday.
My first fragrance was Tommy Girl when I was about 10 or 11. I received it as a birthday gift from my mum and I thought it was amazing! I remember wearing it all the time when I went out to see my friends that summer.
I’d had perfumes as a teenager, but when I was around 17 my friend worked at our local The Perfume Shop and I went in to try some new smells. She sprayed a few for me but I fell in love with Armani Code almost immediately, and I’ve worn it ever since! Other fragrances do feature in my collection, but I always come back to Code. When I spray it, it brings back lots of happy memories over the last 12 years. Going out with the girls, holidays, graduating, starting new jobs, getting engaged – Code has been there for some of my happiest memories and it always brings a smile to my face (and perhaps a slight bit of nostalgia). It will continue to be one of my all-time favourites!
Steve Allen, Online Product & Promotion Team Leader
My first fragrance was a gift set of 2 Calvin Klein travel sprays. One was CK One and the other was CK Be. My mum (aka Santa) gave them to me for Christmas when I was 11 or 12. The smell of CK Be still reminds me of Christmas, even now, and I’ve been wearing it ever since! CK One reminds me of summer and was definitely one of the most popular fragrances for men and women at the time.
Remembering your first fragrance
Remembering your first ever fragrance and the emotions associated with it is unique to each one of us. From feeling oh-so grown-up when wearing your first scent to school to triggering long-lost memories of a special occasion, everyone will have their reason why it holds a special place in their heart. Do you remember yours?
Alzheimer’s Research UK
While many people will easily recall their first fragrance, others may feel that moment slipping away.
At The Perfume Shop, we want to help people protect these treasured memories and that’s why we’re passionate supporters of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Sadly, memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of dementia, a condition which is affecting almost one million people in the UK today.
For many years it has been feared there was no way to put a stop to dementia, but a host of recent advances in research means a path to a cure is in sight! It’s now a matter of when, not if, life-changing treatments arrive.
So, to show support for our charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, we invited our Perfume People to reflect on their first-ever fragrances to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’ and raise awareness of the urgent need for more research into the condition.
Remembering Our First Fragrances
Knowing by Estee Lauder
By Gill Smith, Managing Director
My first grown up perfume was Knowing by Estée Lauder. I went on my first holiday in the 90s with my boyfriend (now husband) to the Greek Islands and on the ferry our holiday rep was wearing this. I loved it straight away and asked for the details which I had never done before. It has my favourite ingredients – rose and jasmine. A similar fragrance, with those same rose and jasmine notes, is the well loved Youth Dew by Estée Lauder.
Estée Lauder
Youth Dew
Eau de Parfum Spray
67ML – £29.99
Chloe by Chloe
Cathy Newman, Marketing & Customer Experience Director
My first ever “proper” perfume was Chloe original, which came out in 1975 and I think it was originally by Karl Lagerfeld. Although I don’t wear it anymore, it still holds dear to me as my mum and dad bought it for me back from their holiday.
Chloé
Chloé
Eau de Parfum Spray
50ML – £89.00
Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger
Hannah Walsh, UX Design Manager
My first fragrance was Tommy Girl when I was about 10 or 11. I received it as a birthday gift from my mum and I thought it was amazing! I remember wearing it all the time when I went out to see my friends that summer.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Girl
Eau de Toilette Spray
100ML – £23.99
Code by Armani
Sophie Jackson, Customer Experience Manager
I’d had perfumes as a teenager, but when I was around 17 my friend worked at our local The Perfume Shop and I went in to try some new smells. She sprayed a few for me but I fell in love with Armani Code almost immediately, and I’ve worn it ever since! Other fragrances do feature in my collection, but I always come back to Code. When I spray it, it brings back lots of happy memories over the last 12 years. Going out with the girls, holidays, graduating, starting new jobs, getting engaged – Code has been there for some of my happiest memories and it always brings a smile to my face (and perhaps a slight bit of nostalgia). It will continue to be one of my all-time favourites!
Armani
Code For Women
Eau de Parfum Spray
30ML – £67.00
CK One by Calvin Klein
Steve Allen, Online Product & Promotion Team Leader
My first fragrance was a gift set of 2 Calvin Klein travel sprays. One was CK One and the other was CK Be. My mum (aka Santa) gave them to me for Christmas when I was 11 or 12. The smell of CK Be still reminds me of Christmas, even now, and I’ve been wearing it ever since! CK One reminds me of summer and was definitely one of the most popular fragrances for men and women at the time.
Calvin Klein
CK ONE
Eau de Toilette Spray
100ML – £53.00
If you have any questions about dementia, or want to know more about research into the condition, please do get in touch with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Research Infoline.
We’re proud to support Alzheimer’s Research UK
Find out how you can support them by purchasing through The Perfume Shop.
Read next
Wellbeing benefits of perfume
How to upcycle your perfume bottle
Guide to pampering yourself with perfume