By Tara

Launched in 2013, ODOU is a bi-annual print magazine that explores smell and perfume through themes of memory, science, art, design, personal reflections, photography and more. There is no other publication that explores the sense of smell alone.

ODOU has an international team of contributors and the founder, editor and designer is the wonderful Liam Moore.

“Perhaps you’ve been there; the smell of cut grass and the memories of summers gone by, or the whiff of a passerby’s perfume and your head turns. Maybe it’s the smell of your newborn baby’s head or your grandparent’s cooking – nearly all of us have favourite and fond smells. Articles in ODOU discuss all these kinds of topics lightheartedly, longingly, scientifically, even lovingly.

You won’t find content about the latest trend, must-have celebrity scent, or even top-tips running down the inside fold because these already exist in print and that’s not what we’re interested in. ODOU is much more exploratory, curious and revealing. Its aim is to awaken your interest in your olfactory surroundings, to stop and smell the roses.”

– ODOU on Indiegogo

Recognition

Last year the lead article in Issue One, “Perfume Haters” by Neil Chapman (who wrote a fabulous vanilla series here on OT) won ODOU the Literary Award at The Fragrance Foundation’s Jasmine Awards.

This year a total of six articles from Issues Two and Three were nominated in various categories and again ODOU took home the prestigious Literary Award. As you can see, the standard of writing is extremely high.

“Addiction as a theme for scent seems odd and somewhat frivolous. But bear in mind that many of us are quite obsessed by scent in an alarming way.”

— “The Consolation of Dependence” by The Silver Fox – Issue Three

All three past issues are still available in digital and print format from the ODOU website.

Issue Four

Work on Issue Four is currently underway. It will contain articles on ambergris, fragrance in Greek mythology and a personal account of a perfumer’s journey in education. I love how ODOU explores such a wide range of topics around scent and smell.

Crowd Funding

A crowd funding initiative has been launched via Indiegogo in order to take ODOU to the next level. Backing would enable the magazine to reach more people and stand on its own for future issues. It will also mean that Issue Four can be produced with a look and feel that is befitting of its content.

There are some nice perks for funders too, including a discounted copy of Issue Four and a rather cool looking tote bag.

Best of luck to Liam and everyone associated with ODOU. It’s a unique project that deserves not just to continue, but to thrive.