by Sharon Rondeau
(Jun. 16, 2025) — Following a multi-stage development process, a new unisex perfume conceived by longtime P&E reader, retired educator, historical researcher and trusted art seller Johannes Froebel-Parker will be available to the public on Wednesday.
Produced by Press Gurwitz Perfumerie in Marathon, NY after a monthslong process, the fragrance is “based on the former Imperial Russian Tsarist Empire and the still mysterious fate of the Romanovs,” Froebel-Parker told us in an email shortly after undertaking the project in late winter, referring to the last Russian tsar, Nicholas Romanov II, wife, four daughters and young son. “We tried to incorporate smells which would have been popular at court and among the Russian People!”
Press Gurwitz boasts 14 different catalogs of fragrances, scents and candles for the home. Also offered is the opportunity for members of the public to “design and name your very own signature perfume” through workshops and “unique requests.”
An afficionado of European and particularly Russian history, Froebel-Parker has determined through DNA testing his descendance from Spanish, German, English and Russian forebears. His research into the “mystery” surrounding Anastasia Romanov’s possible escape from the Bolshevik firing squad which took the lives of her family is frequently published at Tsarism.com and his own website, froebelgalleries.net.
Froebel-Parker has written a total of nine books, three of which focus exclusively on the theory Anastasia survived the execution.
He is not alone in that belief. While it is well-documented several women later claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, Froebel-Parker believes the true Anastasia later called herself “Evgenia Smetisko,” traveled to the United States and eventually settled in Newport, RI, residing there until her death in 1997.
Some narratives suggest Anastasia’s brother Alexei also survived the attack, which ended the reign and existence of the Romanov dynasty.
Just prior to X suspending his two accounts in December 2024 without explanation, Froebel-Parker reported having received more than one million views on his main account, @Froebel, where he advertised his latest book titled, “Grand Duchess Anastasia: Still a Mystery?“
After submitting dozens of appeals and sending two certified letters to X CEO Elon Musk in January, on April 3, Froebel-Parker’s secondary account, Parcarius, was “mysteriously” restored and where the fragrance is now publicized.
We asked Froebel-Parker some questions about his idea to create the fragrance inspired by Anastasia Romanov, the answers to which conjured up scenes of verdant European landscapes replete with medicinal herbs, majestic mountains and towering trees dating back to ancient times.
Q: Had you known Mr. Rakovich prior to approaching him with your idea?
A: I was intrigued that a European perfumierer had decided to establish his base in my quaint upstate New York hometown village, Marathon, NY, known most for Grumman Boats, maple syrup and agriculture. When I learned that he was of Russian background from Kazakhstan I visited him in his shop the next time that I was in town. I was intrigued as he explained his very centuries-old process, and enjoyed sharing with him my decades long research into the fate of HIH Anastasia Nicholaevna Romanov, Grand Duchess of Russia.
Q: Had you ever in the past thought about creating a perfume?
A: Let me say that I have always been intrigued by skin care products and men’s fragrances for myself, and have always enjoyed asking lady friends what scent they were using and why. A college friend of mine was responsible for the bottling design for Issey Miyake’s “Eau de Issey,” a bottle of which he had given me as a gift. The creation of a perfume, however, only occurred to me when I realized that there was someone to whom I can turn to lead me through the process.
Q: How difficult was it for Mr. Rakovich to obtain all the elements needed for this special blend?
A: I know that he is very involved in the harvesting, tincturing and creation of the various ingredients incorporated in his various lines. This knowledge made me feel very “at home,” as the Froebel family in my mother’s line, of which the founder of Kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel, was a member, hailed from the Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, from a village of Oberweissbach nestled in the Thuringian Forest known for herbal tinctures, scents, medicines, and bitters. Each family had its own area of the forest where it harvested the unique ingredients which grew there. A particular family had its own trade route which took them to the various corners of Europe with their unique products. The Lutheran Church in the village, known as the “Cathedral of the Thuringian Forest,” is florid with many paintings and artwork which families acquired on their travels around Europe and later donated to the parish. I also donated a painting of a nursing Mother and Child Jesus from Bolivia, to the church in this tradition. When Victor explained how he created his product lines, I felt I was reliving familial history. As an extra bonus, when he took a DNA test, we discovered that he was actually very closely related to my mother, illustrating an almost mystical connection between history and the present.
Q: In an email you mentioned the perfume will be sold through your website; is that the same site where you publish your articles?
A: Soon the perfume will be available at www.froebegallery.net and also at pressgurwitz.com. Articles about the perfume, Romanov research, culture, genealogy, etc. are readable at https://froebelgalleries.wordpress.com
We also asked Rakovich several questions to which he was kind enough to respond given his busy summer itinerary.
1. What is the process for blending the elements in a perfume, and specifically for this new product? Does it require fermenting, and if so, for how long?
I create classic alcohol-based perfumes, drawing inspiration from 19th-century perfumery techniques. My process begins with crafting the fragrance itself before assembling the final perfume. For this particular product, I developed seven iterations of the fragrance for John, with each version requiring a maceration period of a few weeks. This careful aging process allows the ingredients to meld harmoniously, resulting in the final scent.
To create the blend, I first focus on building my accords. Accords are combinations of three or more notes, crafted to function as a single, cohesive ingredient within the overall composition. From the outset, I envisioned a floral fougère fragrance that would evolve into a classic fougère.
The fougère family has its roots in 1882, when Paul Parquet revolutionized perfumery with his iconic Fougère Royale for Houbigant. His groundbreaking use of coumarin alongside lavender and oakmoss marked a turning point in fragrance creation. The combination of these ingredients became a hallmark of the fougère family, forever influencing the world of perfumery.
Moreover, I was inspired by the work of French perfumer Henri Brocard, whose legacy significantly shaped the Russian perfume industry. After moving to Moscow in 1861, he established a thriving business catering to Russian aristocracy, introducing advanced European perfumery techniques to the region.
These historical influences formed the foundation of the scent we were developing. I sought to incorporate the essence of these trailblazing innovations into a modern interpretation, blending tradition and creativity.
2. How difficult is it to procure the necessary ingredients? Do they come from all over the world, or are you able to procure them locally? (I know you are in upstate New York).
My extractions are sourced from all over the world. Over the years, I’ve built a trusted network of manufacturers who provide the highest-quality raw materials, including fragrance oils, CO2 and solvent extracts, absolutes, and essential oils. Some of these materials arrive as resins, powders, or solids, which require tincturing to make them suitable for blending into fragrances. In fact, I’ve spent over a year tincturing and aging certain raw materials before they’re ready for use in formula creation. In that sense, some aroma materials are technically produced locally.
However, if we consider the largest ingredient by volume or weight, it’s alcohol. I exclusively use the highest-grade 192-proof alcohol, which is locally sourced and produced from corn grown on neighboring farms. This alcohol is specially carbon-filtered to remove impurities and even the faintest unwanted aroma chemicals. Procuring it requires a special license, but its purity and quality are unmatched, making it an essential component of my work.
3. How did you become interested in the perfumery business, and where did you learn how to do it?
As a product developer and artist, my journey into perfumery began unexpectedly during the pandemic when I launched a skincare product. I realized that in the marketing of hair care and skincare products, fragrance plays a crucial role. The keywords often highlight fragrance notes because people are drawn to products based on scents they love—and just as easily reject those with scents they don’t. Remarkably, while fragrance may only constitute 1-3% of a product, it holds 100% of its decision-making power. That insight fascinated me. Later, my creative director invited me to collaborate on the launch of a niche perfume line, which ultimately evolved into the Press Gurwitz Perfumerie. This opportunity allowed me to fully immerse myself in the art and craft of fragrance creation. I took courses, read books, watched countless YouTube tutorials, and, most importantly, embraced the freedom to experiment without hesitation.
4. Who manufactures the beautiful boxes and packaging you use for your products?
We collaborate with a variety of suppliers and are always striving to refine and upgrade our packaging—it’s an ongoing process. I am happy that you appreciate our branding and packaging, but there’s always room for improvement, and I always want to make it better.
5. What is the most gratifying thing about being in the perfumery business?
There’s nothing quite like the joy and happiness people express when they experience and appreciate our creations. It’s a feeling that words can hardly capture.
This this is very exciting.