01/06/2026
Today I want to talk about something interesting: Michael Edwards and his Fragrance Wheel.
If you're a perfume enthusiast, this name is probably familiar to you. But if you're hearing it for the first time, just know that in the world of perfumery, this man is a legend.
Back in 1983, Michael Edwards, an Australian-British fragrance expert, noticed that people in perfume shops were often confused. There were countless fragrances, endless options, and no proper guide to help customers understand which perfumes belonged to which fragrance families.
To solve this, he created something called the Fragrance Wheel.
It's a simple circular diagram that organizes perfumes according to their similarities. The four main fragrance families are Floral, Woody, Fresh, and Amber, with several subcategories within each family. What's fascinating is that fragrance families placed next to each other on the wheel also tend to smell similar. So if you enjoy perfumes from one family, you're likely to appreciate fragrances from the neighboring families as well.
To date, Michael Edwards and his team have classified more than 60,000 fragrances, and the Fragrance Wheel is used at perfume counters around the world.
Another thing I admire is that in 2021, he replaced the term "Oriental" with "Amber", recognizing that language evolves and the vocabulary of perfumery should evolve with it.
The Fragrance Wheel is essentially a map of the perfume world. If you're ever unsure about what kind of fragrance you should try, start with the Fragrance Wheel. Check your current favorites on Fragrantica, see which family they belong to, and then explore the adjacent families.
Buying a perfume shouldn't be a guessing game. With a little knowledge, the journey becomes far more enjoyable. 🖤
So, what's your favorite fragrance family?
