What are the current trends in Perfume Bottle Design?
The latest trends in perfume bottle design highlight shifts toward sustainability, minimalist aesthetics and also flamboyant Middle Eastern preferences. Design preferences of bottles seen as ‘artistic works of art’ and vintage-inspired styles are in fashion. Evolving consumer preferences and new technology are shaping the future of perfume bottle design.
American and European Perfume Bottle Design Trends
Perfume bottle design is never a one size fits all approach. In fact, it depends heavily on the market it is being sold into. Of course, different markets have very different style preference and cultural aesthetics. In addition, the price point of the product plays a crucial role For example, an affordable perfume might focus on practicality and shelf visibility. Whereas, a luxury perfume may focus on craftmanship and tactile, quality materials.. In Europe people choose the following types of perfume bottle design :
- Minimalist, simple bottles with clean lines. Often designers pair clear or frosted glass and simple typography with this bottle style.
- Artistic bottles which can be collected as a piece of art. Brands like Jean Paul Gaulthier and Paco Rabanne Phantom are at the forefront of this trend.
- Retro and vintage perfume bottle themes from the 1920s and 1930s and even earlier often inspire the bottles of today. In fact, some of the current bottles such as Shalimar and La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain are very old vintage bottles.
- Simple, clear storytelling bottle designs. For this trend mostly bottles with a flat surface and simple design wrap a label around them or place a label on the front side. The label describes the fragrance inside. Often there is a big picture of the ingredients inside. This type of perfume design is very popular in the USA and also in Europe.
- Apothecary style aesthetics are popular amongst niche brands. A simple bottle has a label on it with a pharmaceutical apothecary style. Each label lists the main ingredients and has a no nonsense approach. This works well in niche perfumery where the focus is on the perfume ingredients and not on the perfume packaging.
- Worldwide there is a trend towards perfume collections and unisex perfumes. Therefore many brands often use the same perfume bottle which has a unisex feel across a wide range of perfumes. In Western markets the bottle must be simple enough to appeal to both sexes. A more minimalist approach works best for unisex perfume, except at the ultra luxury price point where ‘more’ sells better.
- Due to the recent popularity of mass market brands such as Lattafa in Western markets, we may see more Middle Eastern packaging influences playing out in Western markets. At the Milan exhbition PCD Packaging Premiere this year clients showed a strong interest in buying Dubai style packaging concepts
- Refillable bottles. In European markets sustainability is becoming more important. With the introduction of new legislation in the coming years, this will be a legal requirement.
Middle Eastern Perfume Design Trends
- Gold, metallics and jewel tones are popular in the Middle East. The richer the decoration, hence the higher perceived value of the fragrance.
- Calligraphy and oriental patterns play a huge part in storytelling for Middle Eastern perfumes. Ornate details usually adorn the botttle and the bottle cap to improve storytelling and heighten luxury.
- In the Middle East local heritage plays a large part in the storytelling of some brands. For example, kanjar (omani daggars) or falcons or camels can be seen on some brands.
- The Middle Eastern market has always been traditionally gender neutral. Any traditional perfume from the Middle East can be worn by either sex. Traditional oriental bottles are often more ornate and luxurious, often having more feminine shapes. A perfume bottle does not always have to look very manly to appeal to this market.
- Generally speaking, the Middle East does not prefer minimalism or simplicity of design. Whenever our team present such designs, people always ask us to add something ‘extra’ to add extra ‘value’ to a design. Either clients require additional patterns or accessories to add complexity to a design.
- Trends of higher experimentation within the younger generation means that smaller bottle volumes are more in demand nowadays. Trying more perfumes in small bottle formats allows greater experimentation.
- The worldwide perfumery market is in a state of change mainly due to the trend of personalisation and exclusivity. People no longer want to smell like everyone else, as they aspire to personalise their perfumes more.
Which Perfume Bottle Trends are likely to continue?
Changes in consumption and price expectations also affect the type of bottles which are required:
- Trends of exclusivity and rarity are big purchase drivers amongst the top earners of society. Big brands often launch limited edition ranges or artist collaborations with customised packaging for well known bottles. For example the well known ‘abeille’ or ‘bee’ bottle by Guerlain. This appeals to those who want a truly luxurious experience which is only attainable for a select few.
- Niche luxury perfumery and mass market cheap perfumes are the driving force behind much of the growth in perfumes. Designer perfumes in the $100 to $150 price point are struggling at the moment. Body sprays and cheaper product formats are growing fast, so much that big brands are launching them.
- The current trends in perfume notes will continue to affect the external packaging design. Currently gourmand fragrances are trending as well as many sweet, sugary perfumes. Consequently, companies often develop packaging to communicate the gourmand notes. In the Middle East we have witnessed ice cream shaped bottles and unusual shapes to represent the dripping foods.
Wearable perfume recently appeared and is becoming more popular. Pendants with scent chambers or perfume bottles hanging from keychains make perfume more accessible and portable wherever we go. By Far perfume bottle with its small bottle format and metal clip which attaches to a bag is a good example. This trend will likely continue.
Perfume bottles as an object of beauty will continue to be popular, especially in niche perfumery. The form should represent the art within.
Genderless and unisex perfume will be popular, collections of perfumes will often use the same bottle. Perfumes will focus on communication of emotion or ingredient experimentation. In different markets genderless expectations will continue to vary. The Middle East perfume design will continue to be more elaborate than the Western genderless perfumes.