Francis Kurkdjian: A Genius of Perfumery
Francis Kurkdjian is a French perfumer and businessman of Armenian descent, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and creative perfumers in the world. He has created over 200 fragrances for various brands, such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Elie Saab, and Burberry, as well as his own line, Maison Francis Kurkdjian. He is known for his innovative use of different notes and materials, his refined and elegant style, and his ability to create scents that evoke emotions and memories.
Kurkdjian was born in Paris, France on 14 May 1969 to Armenian parents. He discovered his passion for perfumery at the age of 16, thanks to a girlfriend who was passionate about perfumes. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Geneva for two years, where he learned about art and aesthetics. He then decided to pursue his dream of becoming a perfumer and moved to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, where he trained at the Lautier Florasynth group. He later worked for Créations Aromatiques and Symrise, where he honed his skills and developed his signature style.
Kurkdjian's first signed fragrance was Le Male for Jean Paul Gaultier in 1995, which became one of the world's best-selling perfumes. He was only 26 years old at the time, and this was his first breakthrough in the perfume industry. He has since created many fragrances that have received critical acclaim and recognition. Some of his most notable creations include:
• Acqua di Giò for Giorgio Armani (1996): A fresh and aquatic fragrance that became a classic for men. It features notes of bergamot, jasmine, rosemary, sea water, musk, and cedar.
• Narciso Rodriguez for Her for Narciso Rodriguez (2003): A floral and woody fragrance that won the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi Award for Best New Fragrance in 2004. It features notes of rose, peach, amber, musk, and patchouli.
• Elie Saab Le Parfum for Elie Saab (2011): A floral and oriental fragrance that won the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi Award for Best New Fragrance in 2012. It features notes of orange blossom, jasmine, patchouli, honey, and cedar.
• Baccarat Rouge 540 for Maison Francis Kurkdjian (2015): A woody and amber fragrance that was inspired by the crystal-making process of Baccarat. It features notes of jasmine, saffron, ambergris, cedar, and fir.
Kurkdjian is also known for his collaborations with other perfumers, such as Mark Buxton for Comme des Garçons Series 3: Incense, Olivia Giacobetti for Iunx, and Ralf Schwieger for Etat Libre d'Orange.
Kurkdjian has won several awards and honors for his work as a perfumer. He was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fragrance Foundation in 2003. He also won the Prix François Coty in the same year. He has been praised by various magazines and critics as one of the best perfumers of all time.
Kurkdjian lives in Geneva with his wife, who helps him run his Maison Francis Kurkdjian line. He is also passionate about gardening, which he considers as a source of relaxation and inspiration. He continues to create new fragrances for different clients and projects, always seeking to express his vision and emotion through scent.
