Portrait of perfumer Mathieu Nardin

Mathieu Nardin: the perfumer who travels with his nose

Mathieu Nardin is a French perfumer born in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. He grew up in a family of perfumers and growers of flowers and perfume plants. His father, grandfather and older brother are all noses. So Mathieu Nardin was immersed in the world of scents from a very early age, learning to know and love them from an early age.

A childhood in scents

His first olfactory memories are of fresh, bewitching jasmine in the first light of a summer morning. His grandparents regularly took him flower-picking as a child. He loved to wander through fields of roses, lavender and mimosa, breathing in the scents and aromas. As a result, he developed a deep respect for the finest raw materials, which he considers to be at the heart of his profession.

Early training and Robertet years

Mathieu Nardin never imagined working in a profession other than perfumery. After completing his baccalauréat in chemistry, it was a logical step for him to enter the world's most prestigious perfumery school: ISIPCA in Versailles. He completed his work-linked apprenticeship at Robertet, a family business based in Grasse and specialising in natural ingredients. He then joined Robertet's creative team, first in Grasse in 2009, then in New York in 2013.

New York, city of inspiration(s)

It was in New York that Mathieu Nardin developed his creative style and olfactory personality. He discovered a cosmopolitan, dynamic, modern city where influences mingle and constantly renew themselves. He was seduced by the cultural diversity, artistic wealth and freedom of expression of this great American metropolis. He was also confronted with new challenges - competitiveness, speed, flexibility - that pushed him to excel and innovate.

Travel, the infinite source of emotions

Mathieu Nardin is a perfumer who likes to explore multiple worlds. He is passionate about travelling abroad, and draws endless inspiration from it. During his explorations, he spends most of his time concentrating on the smells around him. He explains that for him, the nose is intimately linked to memories and images. He is constantly working on his nose, so that each of his compositions reveals a part of his personality and his story.

He joined the Mane composition house in 2018, where he continues to express his talent and creativity. He confides that he enjoys working with a multitude of different scents, but has a predilection for spicy fragrances. He is particularly fond of frankincense and labdanum, two very rich and complex raw materials. He also likes to play with contrasts, surprises and emotions, which he believes are the beauty and magic of fragrance.

He is a perfumer who travels with his nose, inviting us to follow him on his olfactory adventures. He is one of the representatives of a new generation of perfumers who combine tradition and modernity, expertise and innovation, rigour and fantasy. He is one of those who keep the art of perfumery alive and evolving, with passion and generosity.

Mathieu Nardin has worked for numerous perfume brands, both prestigious and confidential, classic and avant-garde. His creations are original, elegant and refined, reflecting his sensitivity and curiosity. His works include Jacquard for Etro, Iris de Champs for Houbigant, Blue for Kenneth Cole, Tea Tonique, Rose Silence and Vetiver Insolent for Miller Harris.

On SCENTISSIME, you will discover Oud Laqué that he created for Les Bains Guerbois, as well as Rue des Mimosas and Archimède in Love, two alcohol-free fragrances created for VELVETVELO.