“Dear friends,

The latest European regulatory provisions of February 13^thconcerning raw materials used in fine fragrance, if they are adopted, will sound the death knell of high perfumery within five years.

Essential natural ingredients such as rose, citral, tonka bean, ylang-ylang, will be banished or accepted in ridiculously weak proportions. Only chemical equivalents will be authorized.

And a chemical compound, however efficient it is, does not replace the olfactive vibration of a beautiful natural.

This is a futile issue, you say? Useless?

Beyond the complications it will entail for our brand and the entire sector, imagine a world without these notes. Imagine losing the memory of these emotions, these mementos, and most of all, imagine depriving future generation of this bit of humanity that cohorts of perfumers, creators, artisans, have allowed us to develop, to experience, to discover. A world without this sum of passions in the service of pure creations and of dreams, of conceiving a beautiful sillage, an exceptional juice; without an art that defines a share of our humanity just like music, gastronomy and laughter.

And if laughter increased the risk of having a stroke, would comedians also be banned?

Must the precautionary principle negate free will?

Some populations can’t access the true taste of certain foods under the pretext of the precautionary principle. We are laying the groundwork that will make us go from a civilized world, with its share of animality and dreams, to a sterilized world in which humanity will become a mechanism, a lovely synthetic molecule like those we will be authorized to manipulate to create soulless fragrances.

And why will they be suppressed? Because of a public health issue or in the interest of those who produce synthetic molecules?

Are there any statistics demonstrating the mortal danger of using Chanel N°5 over the years?

I am more than outraged, and this goes far beyond my personal interest for my company’s continued existence, it is a warning call that must carry, an infinite sadness that must turn into revolt.

Europe will be killing part of its memory and contribution to the beauty of the world.

There is still time, the matter will be under consultation for three months by the European Commission Directorate General Health and Consumers, but it urgent to communicate, to act, to lobby.

Through your activities and your social circle, you may have access to opinion leaders, intellectuals, physicians, researchers, politicians, designers, company directors.

So get the message across, even once, even in thirty seconds. I am willing to meet them, to explain, to discuss it.

At the Esxence fair in Milan in March, I will try to federate the voices of perfumers and brands like The Different Company. But the profession is often secretive, withdrawn, shy.

One brand took on the slogan “Perfume is dead, long live perfume”. No, perfume will just be dead, taking part of us with it.

Luc Gabriel”