Among the finalists was Szymon Sroka, a student of cosmetics technology, who presented his original fragrance composition “Balladyna” – inspired by the drama by Juliusz Słowacki.
"This fragrance starts like a memory. Early spring, a quiet day at my parents' house. The aroma of raspberry syrup in hot tea, and next to me – an open book: Balladyna," says the author. "The scent opens with the sweetness of raspberries and honey, evoking feelings of innocent love. It then deepens into black tea and rockrose – earthy and bitter, like Balladyna's growing jealousy. The base – labdanum and white musk – is a quiet echo of the crime that sealed her sister's fate."
At the fair, our students had the opportunity to meet suppliers of perfume materials, as well as packaging companies and the perfumers themselves, responsible for creating fragrance compositions. They also took part in one of the accompanying events, the so-called perfume bingo, in which they won 150 professional fragrance samples – a prize that will be donated to the university's Kollaps Perfumery Laboratory, of which Szymon is the supervisor. This will make learning this art in our study circle even easier and more enjoyable.
During the event surrounding the competition, participants could not only smell the final perfumes, but also... taste them. Each composition was accompanied by a small dessert inspired by the fragrance notes. Balladyna was reproduced as a snack consisting of a juicy raspberry surrounded by tea jelly, arranged on a delicate raspberry cracker.
Although our students did not make the podium this time, just taking part in the competition and visiting the prestigious perfume fair was a huge honour for them. This final is not the end – it is the beginning. We came back from Barcelona full of inspiration, contacts and ideas.