But is this nostalgia detrimental to the pursuit of imagination and artistry? Is the industry stuck on repeat? [Lizzie] Ostrom believes that “the thinking [behind the trend] is that younger consumers do seek to find a relationship with a particular fragrance, and that this offers meaning. But I’m not sure this reconciles with an equally strong urge in which perfume is about exploration and finding new experiences.”

— The Financial Times on reformulations and flankers. Read more at Smells familiar: why brands are reinventing classic perfumes.