Interview with Francis Kurkdjian

July 15, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

He knows how to talk about perfume like no other, using images that speak to everyone. Born an artist, Francis Kurkdjian became a perfumer. Through an association of ideas because he has a feel for his times, a desire to tell beautiful stories and curiosity about people and raw materials. For the pleasure of giving pleasure. For an attraction to taking risks – the antidote to boredom. Meeting up with Francis Kurkdjian for an interview is not that easy – being a world-famous perfumer makes you think and care about your own maison all the time. But during his arrival to Warsaw last month, I had a great opportunity to talk to Francis about his perfumes, inspirations and of course, fashion!

Francis, what inspires you while creating fragrances?
Diversity, travelling, modern life, lack of rules. The so-called hidden part of creation. Something you do not see.

What ingredients do you use? And why?
If you are writing a book, you need a story and letters. My words are materials which I use. It is a very abstract usage – oud, amber.

Do you believe in power of aphrodisiacs?
No. It is based on people’s imagination of “love being a scent”. For me, it doesn’t exist that way.

What do your perfumes convey within themselves?
Memories and extraordinary emotions which can be created by the connection of sense of smell and a perfume. Also, I am trying to bring on something new within my fragrances – something the nose doesn’t know.

As a perfumer, I think you should have some interest in fashion – do you have your favourite designer(s)?
Yes, definitely! Rick Owens, AMI by Alexandre Mattiussi (who is my friend) and Nicolas Ghesquiere when he created for Balenciaga. In fashion, I value comfort that makes me feel free in my clothes.

The interview was edited. More on franciskurkdjian.com

Alaia Perfume

May 26, 2015May 26, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

One thing’s sure – this perfume is going to be as good, as the campaign shot by Paolo Roversi and styled by Julien D’ys. Sexy, sensual, elusive – just like the magic of Alaia. The bottle is beautiful just like Alaia’s signature body dresses. Can’t wait to smell it because the expectations for Azzedine’s debutant fragrance are really high…

Interview with Meo Fusciuni

May 1, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Who is Meo Fusciuni? A perfume magician, I might say. A herbist, which understands human emotions. A bold character, which pours olfactory memories into a bottle of fragrance. And, guess what – he’s starring in our May interview. So take a sit and feel chilled out while reading this beautifully poetic post…

What inspires you most while creating new perfumes?
“Our collection tells our life, our travels, our poetry and all that life hides every day. At this time, after creating the trilogy of travel and the cycle of poetry, I am facing the triptych of mysticism and therefore after Narcotico follow two other works inspired by the mystical human and beyond. At first I decide only the theme of each project, but then it is the case, the life and the dream to dictate my path and construction of each olfactory scent, it is important to continue to seek, in yourself and in the journey, both in the physical and spiritual world; to create and think of a new scent is the delicate moment for me, where my sensitivity to each event is very strong, are very intense moments of listening, about the smells and the emotions I feel. Passed this stage very poetic, Federica and I begin to translate this work in material and images, to tell the world about the new job.”

How do you pour in different memories and moments of your life into a bottle of perfume?
“It is a process that at the beginning of my journey I did not know , but after has become a natural process, now, all times in my life, I try first of all to recall a perfume, a smell. I’m not a classic “nose”, I am a chemist and herbalist doctor, with a very strong passion for anthropology and aromatherapy, the plants was for me only therapy for the body and man’s mind, but today has become a conduit for the dream. So what was very strange for me has become normal, enclose memory life in a brown bottle of perfume. I’m just at the beginning of my journey and I still have so many things and secrets to discover in my work, in life I love research, always.”

Do you agree that the language of smell is one of the strongest of all?
“I agree with you. Unfortunately, the sense of smell is the least developed sense in humans, but I think it is the most mysterious. The olfactory memory belongs to everyone and it is wonderful to think that the same perfume can cause a person a nice way and another a negative feeling, the path of our memory is closely related to the smell and the sense of smell, about this we work together the University of Psychology of Bologna about this a very interesting project, telling the connection between smell and memory, between scent and our whole life, as a room full of pictures.”

As a “perfume magician” and professional herbist, do you think that a specific smell can be an aphrodisiac?
I never thought of creating an aphrodisiac perfume and ever I decided to create fragrances for men or women, all our work is oriented without sex. I think the sensuality of a perfume I belong to the person wearing it, but if I have to give a name in my collection is Notturno, because his metamorphosis on the skin is very sensual and mysterious.

Can you tell us a bit more about your latest best-seller, Narcotico?
Narcotic is the first chapter in the cycle of mysticism, is a much important because it marks my transition to the use of raw materials very strong. It’s a very emotional work, tells about our connection with the sacred and the memory of the emotion most intimate of each of us. Born in the streets and in the churches of Palermo, it’s a physical and mental journey through holy places and transfigured the smell, of the human soul. A scent full of meaning, a scent that becomes ritual and in its evolution smell is very mysterious and should be listened quietly, leaving him speak…

Meo Fusciuni are available at Concept 21 Store.

Eau de Gloire

November 10, 2013November 10, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

In homage to Jean Cocteau, Parfum d’Empire sign the Cologne “Eau de Goire” millésimée and limited edition. One way to give glory to the great poet for the fiftieth anniversary of his death. Director of life, multi-faceted artist, at a time and turn novelist, playwright, filmmaker, designer, he was the genius who hugged the life of an extraordinary artistic look.”Look like nothing, look like nobody. There is no praise that can touch me more.” This rare water is only published in 300 copies. From an exceptional maturity of 10 years, this wine has a unique character and complexity. A cologne that opens with the sparkling freshness of green notes ( galbanum ) and citrus (lemon, mandarin, bergamot ) aromates (lavender, myrtle, rosemary ) leather accents mingled with incense and hay.This is the alliance of opposites, fresh and hot, transparent notes and rich natural materials, softness and strength. Available at COLETTE

The Beautiful Mind Series 1.

August 25, 2013November 4, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

“From the A Beautiful Mind series, a long-lasting perfume and the floral notes will continue to lure with their exotic whispers for hours and hours. The difference you will notice in the dry down is a softer kind of sultriness (courtesy of the heavy dose of cashmeran) and a woody backdrop that is at once dry (cedar) and sweet (sandalwood).”With a beautiful packed bottle of fragrance and with a hologram postcard attached to it, this perfume that was created in Berlin, in mind that our brain remember best only the scents, this mixture of oriental aromats is the product of high technology and bio productions. The Beautiful Mind Series 1. is all about Intelligence and Fantasy!