Modern. Unexpected. Original. Three words that describe Francis Kurkdjian.

In 1985, age 15, he decided to be a perfumer. He had no perfume heritage. At 20 he enrolled at ISIPCA, Versailles. On qualifying, a chance conversation with the CEO of Jean Paul Gaultier led to an invitation to show what he could do. Three weeks later, he’d created “Le Mâle” — still a groundbreaking (and bestselling) perfume.

Since then he’s created some of the world’s most loved fragrances. In 2009 with Marc Chaya he founded his own Paris maison, with a remit to reinvent fine perfumery.

Key Facts

• Francis Kurkdjian uses the rarest and most exceptional raw ingredients, including Laos oud

• In 2008 he was voted nose of the year

• He recreated Marie Antoinette’s scent for the Palace of Versailles

“Each scent tells a story, I am a perfumer, I am a story teller.“

Francis Kurkdjian