Francis Kurkdjian

“The ingredient does not interest me. What matters to me is the emotion of the result. »Francis Kurkdjian

While perfumers have worked in the shadows for a very long time, they are increasingly highlighted by design houses. Some of them go even further by opening their own creative house on their behalf. This is particularly the case of perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, a talented creator who has worked for the biggest brands but also offers a niche perfumery for those passionate about his perfumes.

Francis Kurkdjian’s story

Francis Kurkdjian decided to become a perfumer when he was barely 15 years old and knew absolutely nothing about this profession. Besides, if he was passionate about smells from that moment on, he did not know which route he was going to take. Nevertheless, he quickly realized that his career would be marked by demands and perseverance. Never mind, it didn’t scare him! It must be said that these values ​​had been instilled in him through learning the piano and classical dance. This artist at heart, passionate and determined entered, in 1990, the International School of Perfumery ISIPCA in Versailles and at the same time followed a third cycle at the Higher Institute of Luxury Marketing. Barely out of school, he was lucky enough to be given the brief of a perfume for Jean-Paul Gaultier. Today, it is one of the biggest hits on the planet. This is the famous Male by Jean-Paul Gaultier, developed in 1993. This is how the career of Francis Kurkdjian was immediately propelled. There, he joined the Quest International office in New York, before returning to Paris in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, he opened his own workshop to create bespoke perfumes. Moreover, he was also, the same year, winner of the Prix du Parfumeur François Coty for all of his creations. Likewise, in terms of awards, he won the Oscar Cosmétique Magazine for best perfumer of the year in 2008 and was thus appointed to the rank of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. one of the biggest hits on the planet. This is the famous Male by Jean-Paul Gaultier, developed in 1993. This is how the career of Francis Kurkdjian was immediately propelled. There, he joined the Quest International office in New York, before returning to Paris in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, he opened his own workshop to create bespoke perfumes. Moreover, he was also, the same year, winner of the Prix du Parfumeur François Coty for all of his creations. Likewise, in terms of awards, he won the Oscar Cosmétique Magazine for best perfumer of the year in 2008 and was thus appointed to the rank of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. one of the biggest hits on the planet. This is the famous Male by Jean-Paul Gaultier, developed in 1993. This is how the career of Francis Kurkdjian was immediately propelled. There, he joined the Quest International office in New York, before returning to Paris in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, he opened his own workshop to create bespoke perfumes. Moreover, he was also, the same year, winner of the Prix du Parfumeur François Coty for all of his creations. Likewise, in terms of awards, he won the Oscar Cosmétique Magazine for best perfumer of the year in 2008 and was thus appointed to the rank of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. He joined the Quest International office in New York before returning to Paris in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, he opened his own workshop to create bespoke perfumes. Moreover, he was also, the same year, winner of the Prix du Parfumeur François Coty for all of his creations. Likewise, in terms of awards, he won the Oscar Cosmétique Magazine for best perfumer of the year in 2008 and was thus appointed to the rank of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. He joined the Quest International office in New York before returning to Paris in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, he opened his own workshop to create bespoke perfumes. Moreover, he was also, the same year, winner of the Prix du Parfumeur François Coty for all of his creations. Likewise, in terms of awards, he won the Oscar Cosmétique Magazine for best perfumer of the year in 2008 and was thus appointed to the rank of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

Francis Kurkdjian’s philosophy

Francis Kurkdjian develops his perfumes as parts of himself and his personality. Each of them is designed with high standards, respect for the tradition of French perfumery and audacity. His vision of creation turns out to be contemporary while being authentic. Francis Kurkdjian seems to have a natural taste for beautiful things and it is undoubtedly his unusual personality that makes him one of the most famous perfumers in the world. It is at the same time sensual, perfectionist and delicate, so many qualities that we find in each of its fragrances. Its juices are at the same time pure, sophisticated and timeless. Francis Kurkdjian has the art of revisiting the classics, echoing the fundamentals of perfumery but still writing the future of this discipline.

Among the most famous works of Francis Kurkdjian, know that we also owe him My Burberry from the eponymous house, Le Parfum Elie Saab, L’Extase by Nina Ricci, La Mâle et Madame by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Miracle pour Homme by Lancôme … Likewise, Francis Kurkdjian has also collaborated with Yves Saint-Laurent, Van Cleef & Arpels, Roger & Gallet, Narciso Rodriguez, Lanvin, Kenzo, Guerlain, Armani, Escada, Emmanuel Ungaro Dior, Christian Lacroix and Elie Saab.

The main perfumes created by Francis Kurdjian

Acqua di Parma: Iris Nobile (in duet with Françoise Caron) – Baccarat: Rouge 540 – Bebe: Bebe – Blumarine: Innamorata Lovely Rose (in duet
with Philippe Bousseton) – Burberry: Bespoke Collection, Mr. Burberry EDT, EDP, Indigo, My Burberry EDP, EDT, Black, Brit Splash, Brit Rhythm For
Her Floral, Her EDP – Carven: Carven Le Parfum, EDT, L’Absolu (in duet with Jérôme Di Marino), Carven Pour Homme, L’Eau Intense (in duet with
Jérôme Di Marino) – Caudalie: Zeste de Vigne – Christian Dior: Cologne Blanche, Eau Noire – Christian Lacroix: C’est la Fête (duet with Jean
Jacques) – Daniel Hechter: Raw Jeans, Cotton Chic, Wild Linen, Cuir Sensuel, Black (in duet with Jérôme Di Marino) – Davidoff: Silver Shadow, Cool
Water Wave (with Jean Jacques and Antoine Lie) – Elie Saab: Collection Les Essences, Le Parfum EDP, EDT, Eau de Parfum Intense, L’Eau Couture,
Resort Collection, Rose Couture – Elizabeth Arden: Green Tea – Emanuel Ungaro: Apparition (in duet with Françoise Caron), Ungaro – Ferragamo:
F by Ferragamo – Gianni Versace: Jeans Couture Glam, Versus Time for Pleasures – Giorgio Armani: Armani Mania – Givenchy: Gentlemen Only
(in duet with Jean Jacques) – Guerlain: Eau De Lit – Rose Barbare – Guess: Guess Night (in duet with Antoine Lie), Guess Night Access (in duet
with Antoine Lie) – Indult: lsvaraya, Manakara, Tihota – Jean Paul Gaultier: Ma Dame, L’Eau d’Amour, Male Flower, Gaultier Power2, Fragile,
the Male, The Handsome Male, Classic Intense, Ultra Male – Juliette Has a Gun: Miss Charming, Lady Vengeance – Kenzo: Kenzo World, Kenzo World
ntense, Kenzo World EDT (in duet with Maïa Lernout), KenzoKi Lotus blanc, Fleur de Magnolia – Lancaster: Aquazur, Aquasun – Lancôme: Miracle
Homme, l’Aquatonic – Lanvin: Rumeur – Lolita Lempicka: Lolitaland (duet with Maïa Lernout) – Narciso Rodriguez: For Her (duet with Christine
Nagel), For Him EDP – Nina Ricci: L’Extase, L’Extase Caresse de Rose, L’Extase Absolue (in duet with Maïa Lernout), Rose Extase (in duet with
Maïa Lernout) – Roger & Gallet: Fleur de Figuier EDT, EDP – Springfield: Be Real – Van Cleef & Arpels: L’Eté and l’Automne – Yves Rocher: EDT
Relaxation, EDT Energie, Summer Collection, A Morning In The Cherry Blossom Garden, Green Tea – Yves Saint Laurent: Kouros Eau d’été, Kouros Cologne Sport.

Main awards received by Francis Kurkdjian

François Coty Award: Perfumer’s Lifetime Achievement Award (October 2001)
Cosmetic Magazine: Oscar for Best Perfumer of the Year (June 2008)
Named “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (July 2008)