Interview with Francis Kurdjian, nose for the fragrance Maison Francis Kurdjian

What is your Motto?

Francis : “That which is made over time, is respected by time.”

Which perfumer inspires you the most and why?

Francis : “François Coty and Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain, are two composers of pioneer perfumes, and founders of their empire.”

Where does you inspiration come from?

Francis : “The Arts: because beauty is the source of inspiration. Beauty nourishes beauty and is a source of happiness and peace.”

What do you attribute your success at such a young age to?

Francis : “Three words: Passion, work and determination. And a woman named Chantal Roos, my meeting her changed my life. Fresh out of ISIPCA she suggested that as an exercise I work on the project of Jean Paul Gaultier’s first male fragrance. She believed in me. That is how “le Male” was born. I was hardly 25 years old.”

What is your greatest olfactive achievement?

Francis : “The feeling of freedom!”

You teach at ISIPCA. What advice would you give to future perfumers ?

Francis : “One piece of advice, the same advice I applied to myself: believe in yourself and work hard and then work harder.”

Where will perfumery be in 20 years?

Francis : “I do not have a crystal ball and 20 year projections are not my strength. Perfumery will go where the world goes, as perfumery marks the history of man, and man creates the history of perfume.”