For the past four years, I've been collecting, sniffing and writing about vintage perfume on this blog. I've done it as a labor of love (as I hope is obvious!), and I'm grateful that I get a chance to pour more of that passion into my new book, Scent and Subversion: A Century of Provocative Perfume (Lyons Press, 2013).
As you perfume lovers know — vintage perfume ain't cheap. Even a decant of vintage perfume can be $20 for 1 ml; forget the rare bottles! I've spent a small fortune over the years collecting this stuff and sharing my thoughts about it, and if you've enjoyed what you've read here and learned about vintage perfume as a result, perhaps you could contribute to the fundraising campaign I've started on Indiegogo.
I'm almost finished with Scent and Subversion, but I still need to travel to interview perfume folks (in France and Germany), and I still need to acquire the remaining perfumes and perfume ads to complete the book.
Indiegogo is a crowdfunding site like Kickstarter. Using the Indiegogo platform, I describe the project I'm raising money for, provide a fundraising goal ($5,000) with a time limit (35 days), explain how I'll use the money, and offer "perks" for each level of contribution. Contributions start at $5 (every bit helps!), and each level is matched with gifts at that contribution level. There's also a video on Indiegogo that talks about Scent and Subversion and shows some of the gorgeous ads that will illustrate it.
If you're not able to contribute financially, I'd really appreciate it if you could consider forwarding this link to your friends, family or anyone you think might be interested in supporting the culture of perfume.
Thank you, and please check out Indiegogo!
P.S. That's not the real book cover; I'm not sure what it will look like yet!
OK, I really didn't want to be the first commenter—way too fangirl—but here I am anyway. I guess this makes me an impresario; I feel like Serge f'n Diaghilev! bonne chance and בהצלחה (;
Posted by: julie | August 16, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Thank you, julie! Your support means a lot! And it's been wonderful sharing perfume ideas. There's more to come, on this blog (believe it or not) and the book! xoxo
Posted by: Perfumaniac | August 16, 2012 at 02:51 PM
Oh, but that would be a fabulous cover!!!
Posted by: Cheryl Q | August 19, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Cheryl Q: I know, right?? Well see what the publisher and designers and I come up with!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | August 19, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Sadly, Indiegogo seems to decline transactions (this time, contributions)from certain parts of the world. Nigeria, in my case.
All the same, i wish you all the very best.
Posted by: Bode Osunkoya | August 22, 2012 at 09:06 AM
The cover though connotes vintage. I like it!
perfumes online
Posted by: Elise | August 30, 2012 at 08:09 PM
Hi Barbara,
I've been collecting scents for several years too, and if I can help in any way regarding some of the obscure vintage ones, I'd be more than happy to contribute. My list of my goodies is so huge, it would need to be sent through to you as a PDF attachment... if I can get hold of an email address for you I would be happy to send it through.
Cheers
Christine cwest9 (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by: Christine West | September 03, 2012 at 03:00 AM
Thanks, Christine! I'm sending you an email now...
Posted by: Perfumaniac | September 03, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Hi, B.,
What a wonderful idea! I can't wait for your book! By the way, how can I contact you? I would like to send you something.
I wish you my very best.
Posted by: Dark Moss | September 08, 2012 at 02:25 PM
Hi Dark Moss (love the name!) I'm at yesterdaysperfume@gmail.com. Looking forward to your message!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | September 08, 2012 at 02:34 PM
Good job at raising the money.
Posted by: SwagScent.com | December 21, 2012 at 07:33 AM
Wow. Congrats on reaching your financing goal on Indiegogo. I see it's too late for me to contribute. I just went live with a small passion project of my own on there. http://igg.me/p/293957/x/1885522
Posted by: CJ | February 28, 2013 at 05:46 PM