Portraits of Perfumeurs

Gökhan Şimşek is a perfumer who was born and raised in Turkey, but has made his home in the perfume capital of the world: Paris. With a background in chemistry and a passion for the art of perfumery, Şimşek has made a name for himself, notably signing Äican to Kajal Parfums Paris. In addition to his work as a perfumer, Gökhan Şimşek is also a writer and critic, and has contributed articles to Fragrantica and other fragrance publications. He is known for his poetic and emotional approach to...

Christian Carbonnel is a fragrance designer whose family heritage and passion for scents have shaped his career. Born into a family where the art of perfumery is a tradition, he has been able to perpetuate and enrich a tradition that goes back almost a century. He literally grew up surrounded by bottles and essences, and this early immersion in the world of scents has enabled him to develop a unique expertise and exceptional olfactory sensitivity.  He is also known for his relentless quest...

Alix Miral developed a passion for perfume at a very early age. As a teenager, her collection of perfume posters marked the beginning of her true vocation. After studying chemistry at the University of Montpellier and ISIPCA, she began her career at Laboratoire Monique Remy in Grasse, before joining Chanel in Paris. There, she perfected her skills and developed an in-depth understanding of ingredients and olfactory compositions. Since 2001, Alix has been a key figure at DROM, working in New...

Valérie Garnuch-Mentzel began her career with Drom Fragrances in 1992. Initially working in quality control, she soon developed a real passion for fine fragrances. Her love of fragrances led her to explore the different facets of this field, from fine fragrances to personal care. Her career at Drom took her to offices in Paris, Munich and New York, where she honed her craft and broadened her horizons. Today, she is head perfumer and one of the most important noses at Drom Fragrances' Munich...

Urs Castelletti, an established perfumer with over 30 years' experience, and David Chieze, a young perfumer who loves to experiment and innovate, have together created “Faris by Kajal”, a fragrance that has captivated perfume lovers the world over. Discover their joint portrait here.

Kévin Mathys developed a passion for fragrances at an early age, mixing scents from childhood and learning about raw materials on the Internet. After studying in Montpellier, he joined the CPL team in Dubai. Kévin applies the fragrances he creates in a personal way, quoting Coco Chanel: “Where you want to be kissed”.  He firmly believes in the emotional power of fragrances and their ability to become an integral part of life. This commitment is reflected in his choice of raw materials,...

Born in Bahrain and raised in Switzerland, England, and the USA, Patrick Müller's global upbringing not only made him a true globetrotter but also allowed him to experience the best of all worlds. He is interested in raw materials, applications, technology and fragrance chemistry. This enthusiasm has led him to delve into niche and oriental fragrances, exploring their applications such as Bakhoor and the typically oriental raw materials: Oud, Amber and Musk. For Patrick Müller, oriental...

Nurtured by a love of the arts, exotic cuisine and a curious nature, Marc Heimgartner's creations tell a distinct story of pure craftsmanship and are a testament to his vocation. Renowned for his eclectic and intuitive approach, he has combined science and art to create fragrances that tell stories and evoke deep emotions. His career has been marked by an unwavering passion for the art of perfumery and a constant quest for innovation.

Marc Buxton is one of those perfumers whose name is inevitably familiar to fragrance lovers. Born in England, he has captivated the senses with his unique and daring compositions. Based in Paris for more than twenty years, he is known for his fragrances, which are elegant and refined, yet modern and avant-garde.

Rosendo Mateu has dedicated more than forty years to creating fragrances for leading brands. His career at Puig, where he was appointed Master Perfumer, demonstrates his talent for combining tradition and modernity, creating fragrances for prestigious names such as Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne. In 2010, he launched his own perfume house, while continuing to work for other brands. An artist of detail, Rosendo Mateu sees each fragrance as a work of art capable of capturing emotions and...

Born in Florence, Sofia Bardelli grew up surrounded by the intoxicating scents of Tuscan gardens. This early immersion in a world of scents forged her olfactory sensibility. "The fragrances of my childhood were my first source of inspiration", she confides. With a degree in pharmacy from the University of Pavia and then training at the prestigious ISIPCA school in Versailles, Sofia Bardelli quickly demonstrated a talent for marrying the noblest essences and creating original accords. Her...

In 2015, Jérôme Lesquendieu decided to revive the family Perfume House. Driven by the values handed down from generation to generation, he brought his unique vision to bear, combining traditional expertise with bold modernity. Jérôme Lesquendieu drew on the formulas and methodologies bequeathed by his grandfather, while injecting fresh creativity. He preserved the ethics and values that had made the House famous, while adapting his approach to contemporary demands. Today, Jérôme Lesquendieu's...