If certain professions appear to be vocations from an early age, it happens that the passion for a profession is the result of chance. Thus, it is fate that led Edmond Roudnitska to perfumery. Focus on the career of this specialist in 20th century odors.
The unexpected destiny of Edmond Roudnitska
Although Edmond Roudnitska was born in Nice in 1905, that is to say not far from the city of Grasse, world capital of perfumery since the 16th century, he did not immediately show a particular desire to become perfumer. In reality, it was rather the accident of existence that took him, after his studies, to make a distant trip to tropical islands. The plants that grew there fascinated him and so, on his return, he joined an analysis laboratory in a large house in Grasse specializing in raw materials. There he learned chemistry, familiarized himself with the different smells and tamed their origins. He then showed an extraordinary application, so much so that he progressed at a phenomenal speed. His curiosity and insight quickly made him notice and so he was offered a position as a perfumer in the Paris region. He accepted the position and spent three months following the recommendations of a senior perfumer who taught him a lot about the trade. This comforted him in the exploration of this new passion and led him to more autonomy. He then became a full-fledged perfumer.
Edmond Roudnitska’s unfailing curiosity
In parallel with his profession, Edmond Roudnitska was also passionate about philosophical readings. Thus, he quickly associated perfumery with the question of beauty and aesthetics. He therefore embarked on the writing of a book called “L’Esthétique en Question”. This colossal work occupied him for several years and at the same time forced him to devote himself to very in-depth research in the field of perfumery. Then, in 1946, he founded, with his wife Thérèse, his own creation laboratory called “Art et Parfum”, a company which he chose to set up in Cabris, near Grasse. Passionate about art in general, he surrounded himself with a large circle of artist friends. This only increased his boundless creativity. Likewise, during the 1950s and 1960s, he made many trips and brought back many raw materials. It was also at this time that his talent as a perfumer literally exploded.
Edmond Roudnitska thus composed many masterpieces. Among other things, he is the father of Diorissiomo perfumes from 1956 and Eau Sauvage from 1966. His end of career, meanwhile, was devoted to interacting with young perfumers in the making during their training. Anxious to transmit, he knew how to breathe his passion into his son, Michel Roudnitska. He is also a creator of perfumes and has taken over while endeavoring to introduce olfaction in many shows.
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