What is your motto ?

FP : “Always aim for the moon!  Even if you do not reach it, at least you are with the stars.”

When did you first discover the world of perfume?

FP : “With my father, who was also a perfumer and more specifically when he would fragrance himself in the bathroom. An accord: of fougere and shaving soap. It smelt clean! It was « Azzaro pour Homme »…”

What are your sources of inspiration?

FB : “There are so many…. the people I meet, women, gastronomie, and music from its soft melodies that evoke an oriental perfume, to electro music that I associate with aromatic, vibrant notes.”

The perfumer that inspires you the most and why?

FP: “Jacques Cavalier. I had the chance to work with him and he is a perfume Genius! He opened doorways to different universes of masculine and feminine perfumes.  L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme : Spicy ginger and marine notes. M7 : An Oudh accord, vanilla, patchouli and spice. A perfume that I am very touched by, and which I am personally addicted to.”

The raw material you like working with the most?

FP : “Patchouli and Ambrox. These two notes have numerous facets, which evoke an incredible sensuality amongst other things.”

What connects you to the Vanilla in your fragrances?

FP : “Vanilla is one of those well-known odours, however it is one of the most difficult to use in perfumery. The most well known vanilla is the one used in cakes. However in perfumery vanilla is multifaceted. It is also one of perfumery’s sexiest odours.”

 What are you most proud of?

FP : “The direction I have taken in life. I am lucky to have a job with a lot of freedom and where I meet a lot of atypical people. The collaboration and affectionate relationship I have with Diptyque.”

How would you describe working on a niche fragrance?

FB : “Complete freedom. There are no marketing constraints, such as consumer tests. No restriction of price, raw materials (natural or synthetic). There is also respect, and an exchange with informed interlocutors. Niche perfumery comes with no prohibition. “

Looking back at Nose’s interview with Mme Mauny (diptyque), what was the olfactive accident in your last creation « Volutes »? 

FP : “The “olfactive accident “, is to glorify and pay hommage to the raw material that we want to work with. During my collaboration with Diptyque for « Eau Duelle », the accident was the use of « Calamus », which made it possible to illuminate the vanilla, especially as it is a « gourmand » note (sweet « choux » pastry). For « Volutes », we have to consider the context of Yves Coueslant’s (one of the 3 Co founders of Diptyque) voyage, which we used as a starting point to create this fragrance. Indeed, at the time of this voyage, in the Thirties, the elegant women who made these long journeys towards Saigon would smoke a cigarette like it was an accessory.

To evoke femininity and elegance, I wanted to use iris, a rich feminine note which creates a powdery leather effect, and paradoxically a touch of masculinity”

What will your next création be ?

FP  : “A beautiful floral!”