The Women Behind Our Favourite Fragrances  

Today, we celebrate Emirati Women’s Day here in the UAE. Women in STEM have made some of the greatest contributions to the world. In the perfume industry, they have combined their education in various branches of chemistry, their business acumen, knowledge of social and economic trends impacting the industy to create some of the most beloved perfumes we love to wear. Let’s have a look at just a few of those great women and see if you can find out which one of them made your favourite perfumes…

Christine Nagel

Christine Nagel is the sole in-house perfumer of Hermès. She was always fascinated by perfumes, but studied medicine with the aim of becoming a midwife. But her love for chemistry pulled her into perfumery and she is now one of the most renowned perfumers in the world. The Swiss perfumer is behind some of the most loved fragrances.

Most notable creations

Delphine Jelk 

With Delphine Jelk, her rich and creative fragrances for Guerlain are the first to come to mind. She is the best of the best, having graduated from the Grasse Institute of Perfumery but also has a background working in marketing. 

Most notable creations

Calice Becker 

Calice Becker has had a fascination with perfumes since childhood. She went on to accomplish her dreams, graduating from Givaudan Perfumery School, later becoming its Director. Her fragrances are an integral part of perfume history.

Most notable creations

Jo Malone 

Jo Malone of Jo Malone London is a darling of the fragrance loving world. She began as a facialist and developed her own fragranced products, laying the groundwork for the variety of fragranced products offered by Jo Malone London. She changed the way we experience fragrances, creating perfumes that can be layered. After selling her successful company to Estee Lauder, she began another successful house- Jo Loves.

Most notable creations

Annick Ménardo

Annick Ménardo is one of the most notable graduates of French perfumery school ISIPCA. She has a background in medicine and biochemistry and has worked for the fragrance and flavor industry giant Firmenich since 1991. Her experience ranges multiple big brands and very different kinds of fragrances.

Most notable creations

Nathalie Lorson

Being from Grasse, France, it almost feels like perfumery was her destiny. When she entered the industry in the 80s, it was still very much a boys club. Her passion for research and travel combine in pushing her to create new and world-changing perfumes. Her style, in her own words, is harmony and generosity. Fun fact: the first perfume she bought for YSL Opium, which she later went on to modernize as YSL Black Opium along with three other perfumers. Over the years, through every trend cycle and major shifts in the industry, she has always hit the mark with perfumes that appeal to multiple generations in multiple sections of society.

Most notable creations

Nathalie Templer 

Nathalie Templer, born in France and based in Dubai, understands exactly what the Dubai perfume market loves. She has worn many hats- chemist, owner of a small business, perfume analyst, perfumer. She specializes in balanced and simple formulas.

Most notable creations

Shyamala Maisondieu

Another graduate of Givaudan Perfumery School, Shyamala Maisondieu was once an aspiring astronomer. Thankfully for the world of perfumery, she decided to pursue her passion for developing fragrances even after graduating from Engineering School. Her approach is quite poetic and dramatic. 

Most notable creations

Violaine Collas

Violaine Collas knows how to create something for every kind of audience. Her expertise ranges from designer to niche houses like Amouage, Dolce & Gabbana, BDK Parfums, NEZ, Laverne and more. She is currently a senior perfumer at MANE, working on fine fragrances. 

Most notable creations

Gabriela Chelariu 

Gabriela Chelariu was on her way to becoming a pharmacist, in her last year of education, when perfumery pulled her in. She cites her deep connection with her olfactive senses since childhood as a motivating factor behind her work. She is currently with Firmenich and has worked with popular brands like Bath & Bodyworks, Ralph Lauren, Phlur, Rituals, Calvin Klein, and more.

Most notable creations