We’ve all been transported back in time by scent. Whether it’s a spritz of perfume that takes you to teenage days, the fragrance of freesia that reminds you of a favourite holiday or a whiff of an ex-lover’s cologne on the tube, our sense of smell has the power to trigger emotional memories and unlock defining moments. With this in mind, I asked Brit model Poppy Okotcha to take us on a journey through her life in scent...
I lived in South Africa for six years until I was twelve years old and it was an incredible experience. A local lady from Johannesburg stayed with us and would sit on the porch, chew on chicken feet then spit out the nails. It sounds gross, but it’s such a positive memory for me. She was like a grandmother and I was fascinated by African culture after moving there from England. It’s a smell I’ll never forget.
I find it so thrilling to buy old books from a charity shop, especially when you find notes inside them from the original owner. One time, I found a newspaper clipping from years ago and it just added to the joy of the story. And that’s why I could never use a Kindle.