Perfume group promises to ‘Keep Portland Weird’

PORTLAND, Ore. — The International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA) announces its 28th annual

convention with a theme of “Scents, Wine & Roses” is to be held on the west coast in Portland, Oregon, from April 27-May 1.

“With a slogan ‘Keep Portland Weird,’ we know it will be a fun location,” says Deborah Washington, convention chair. Portland is also known for being a “foodie” town with many local wineries. The convention will be held at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront and is the biggest event of the year for the IPBA, attracting many members from countries such as Australia, Switzerland, England, France and Portugal.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Tom Reichert as our keynote speaker,” says Washington. Dr. Reichert is the author of “The Erotic History of Advertising” and will be speaking about how the fragrance industry’s advertising taps into the human psyche and why so many perfume advertisements are erotic in nature. He will highlight how advertisers and marketers have used sex from the early days of advertising to the present.

“We encourage the public to come out and see what we are all about,” says Washington. “On Saturday, April 30, we are open to the public all day and it’s free. We will be hosting a variety of enjoyable and interesting events. Our main attraction is of course our incredible Perfume Bottle & Vanity Show and Sale.” The show boasts the largest showroom of vintage perfume bottles and vanity items found anywhere.

“Along with the show we have our educational program, Collecting Perfume Bottles 101, our Flea Market of Vanity Items loaded with bargains and deals, and a special appraisal session called Vanity Valuations where anyone is invited to bring in a vanity item to be appraised,” Washington continues. If you are unsure what qualifies as a vanity item, ask yourself, “Does it makes you look or smell good?” If the answer is “yes,” then it’s a vanity item. If your grandmother left you something like this or if you have a vanity item and would like to know more about it, the IPBA can help you.

Washington adds, “New this year, we are sponsoring our very first Perfume Bottle Design Contest, which is open to all artisans, not just IPBA members; the official rules are found on the IPBA website [perfumebottles.org]. Twenty-five of the top design entries will be displayed in the showroom and the winner will be announced on April 30 at the convention.

“One of the highlights of the convention will be on Friday evening, April 29 when we have our world renowned, longest-running Perfume Bottle Auction in the US – bringing beautiful and unusual perfume bottles and vanity items to the auction block where items will reach hammer prices from one hundred dollars to thousands or tens of thousands,” Washington enthuses. The charming and entertaining Nicholas Dawes, an Antiques Roadshow celebrity, returns again this year as auctioneer. This exciting evening is open to the public. Items in the Auction can be viewed at www.perfumebottlesauction.com.

Washington explains, “The IPBA isn’t about just perfume bottles any more. Our association is growing and changing with the times, as we are embracing all kinds of vanity items and ephemera including vintage purses, compacts, dresser sets, advertising and more. Many of these items go hand in hand as some compacts include perfume bottles as do purses. Please don’t let our name fool you. If you love vintage vanity items of any kind, come out and join in the fun on April 29 and 30.”

The IPBA (www.perfumebottles.org) has designed enjoyable, interesting and educational events for its members and the public alike. For a list of events open to the public or for more details, contact Teri Wirth at 407-973-0783 or vicepresident@perfumebottles.org.