THE PERFUMERS

CECILE ZAROKIAN

Cécile Zarokian graduated from ISIPCA and completed four years of training at Robertet. She trained first in Grasse and later in Paris. She was still a trainee when she created her first fragrance, Amouage Epic Woman. In 2011, Cécile founded her own company, CECILE ZAROKIAN SARL, and established her laboratory in Paris. This allowed her to work independently and dedicate herself fully to perfumery. She has since created around seventy fragrances for niche perfume houses. These include Jovoy Paris, Xerjoff, MDCI, Jacques Fath, Laboratorio Olfattivo, and Masque Fragranze. She also created the entire Château de Versailles scented candle collection. Additionally, Cécile collaborated with an illustrator on an artistic project presented in Paris. The exhibition took place during the Rives de la Beauté event. It later traveled to London in 2013. The project was also shown at the Triennale di Milano during Esxence 2014.

Behind the scenes – By Cecile Zarokian

“I felt honored when La Maison Jacques Fath invited me to revive Green Water. However, I also felt some pressure revisiting such an iconic reference in perfumery. I remembered studying this classic during my training. Green Water stands as a precursor of the Aromatic Citrus family. It was a major success at the time. I worked closely with La Maison Jacques Fath and the Osmothèque in Versailles. Together, we carefully studied the original 1946 fragrance. I submitted my trials to Mr. Jean Kerléo, perfumer and founder of this unique institution. To preserve its distinctive freshness, I used generous amounts of neroli. This ensured a refined and faithful interpretation of the original spirit.”

Fragrances by Cecile Zarokian...

LUCA MAFFEI

Luca Maffei is an independent Italian perfumer based in Milan. He founded Atelier Fragranze Milano. His connection to fragrance began in childhood, and his earliest olfactory memory is his mother’s perfume. Fascinated by raw materials and their mysterious alchemy, Luca pursued perfumery at age 22. He studied in Grasse under mentor Françoise Marin. He later apprenticed with Vincent Ricord at Expressions Parfumées.

During his early career, Luca has created more than 50 fragrances. He is a member of the Société Française des Parfumeurs (SFP). Above all, he admires Edmond Roudnitska for his legendary creations and lifelong devotion to perfume. Roudnitska once said, “A beautiful perfume is one that creates a shock.” This philosophy remains Luca’s greatest ambition.

Behind the scenes – By Luca Maffei

Rania Naim and Luca Maffei joined forces to expand the collection with fragrances, names, and colors that harmonize seamlessly. Luca’s selection of innovative raw materials and noble ingredients imparts a distinctive accord to each fragrance, resonating with its name. The Violet Cream Accord and Rose Macaroon Accord, crafted by Luca, showcase the boldness of his work as a perfumer, embodying ‘la joie de vivre.’ These accords also served as the inspiration for the color codes of each fragrance.

For Luca, collaborating with Jacques Fath perfumes held a deep symbolic meaning: “Jacques Fath was the mentor of the couturier Valentino. I’m therefore proud today to renew the link of the past: the French Jacques Fath’s style ‘joie de vivre’ with the Italian know-how.”

Fragrances by Luca Maffei...

PATRICE REVILLARD

Born in Annecy, the countryside and his grandmother’s garden marked Patrice Revillard’s youth, as well as roses and his interest in plants and botany. A passion that would lead him to perfumes and scents, after studying biology and chemistry. However, finding these disciplines too general and lacking the artistic aspect he longed for, he decided to join the École Supérieure du Parfum in Paris.

Although plants and evocations of nature remain his primary sources of inspiration and favorite subjects, Patrice is also interested in the history of perfumes. By studying and understanding the context of the creations of the more abstract olfactory forms that have marked modern perfumery allows him to integrate the architecture of fragrances over the decades, enabling him to undertake the realization of his own creations.

To him, perfume is nothing without structure and without a strong, original, daring accord. He is fascinated by the emotions that perfume can convey, so in every project, he seeks to create the most beautiful fragrant story from his inspiration. Today, Patrice is a MAELSTROM perfumer.

Behind the scenes of L’Iris de Fath – By Patrice Revillard

“All of this was achieved by smelling the different Iris Gris vintage perfumes that were at our disposal, including the beautiful re-composition of the Osmothèque, made by Master Perfumer Jean Kerléo. And by using our knowledge, our noses, without direct access to the formula, only for one purpose: to be able to smell again this masterpiece, proportioned in noble ingredients at a breathtaking level.”

Fragrances by Patrice Revillard...

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE HERAULT

Jean-Christophe Hérault, trained as a chemist, began his career at Fragrance Resources, which IFF acquired in 2016. There, Master Perfumer Pierre Bourdon introduced him to perfumery, sparking his passion. He joined IFF in 2010, guided by Bourdon to read Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time” and develop his own artistic voice. This led Jean-Christophe to study art history at the Paris Beaux-Arts, inspiring his work today.

Jean-Christophe’s perfumes reflect his deep connection to both creativity and chemistry, weaving together contrasts and influences from various art forms. He is a dreamer, and he believes in the power of introspection. He actively makes time for reverie, allowing his creative ideas to unfold freely. As he puts it, “I cherish and preserve time for my reveries, which I hope resonate in my perfumes.”

Behind the scenes of Vetiver Gris – By Jean-Christophe Hérault

“When I saw that Jacques Fath Parfums was relaunching the iconic and emblematic Iris Gris, I was really moved, and I told myself that I really wanted to be part of this adventure, to continue this story. But I also wanted to bring something contemporary, something new.

So, I met with Rania, the Creative Director of Jacques Fath, and I will always remember the first time we met. It was in her office, and we talked for two hours about how she had relaunched Iris Gris. She also told me about the committee she had created to select the best candidate anonymously. I really liked it and was interested by this approach. We concluded our conversation by saying that if there was ever a project that suited me, and that matched my personality, Rania would let me know.”