Natural vs. Synthetic: Fighting over imaginary candy [unfortunate times]

Recently, some very disturbing things have come to light in the world of perfume we love so much, and it truly saddens me when this sort of thing happens. Dawn Spencer Hurwitz is one of my favorite perfumers: she is talented, imaginative and has a heart of gold. Basically, the kind of trifecta that is hard to ignore. She was treated poorly, and in a very public and harsh manner by the Natural Perfumers Guild and Anya McCoy. You can read the details HERE.

I'd like to bring up a topic that is part of what lies at the heart of this unfortunate incident, and that is that there is a perceived battle between naturals and synthetics in perfume. I'd like to go on record by saying that this is exactly like "fighting over imaginary candy" (as my friend Cait so aptly referred to any kind of over-dramatic situation). Both naturals and synthetics are wonderful and have their places in modern perfumery, and I wouldn't want to live in a world without either one of them. Consumers just want good perfume, and most people are very capable of deciding for themselves exactly what that means to them. Fighting battles that don't really exist is not quite my thing, but I do want to make one thing clear on my position: nobody deserves to be blindsided in such a manner. It is unprofessional, unseemly, and just plain ugly. Dawn has a lot to be proud of, and she will find an endless font of support from all over the world. Her natural and blended perfumes show the kind of ingenuity and integrity that has improved the world around her and has cemented her creative vision as one of distinction.

I feel that it is my responsibility as a perfume blogger to stand up for what I'm passionate about, and that's exactly what I am doing. I hope that others will do the same, no matter what they believe in.

the brilliant Cuir et Champignon by DSH Perfumes