Looking for proof that perfumery is both a scientific and creative endeavour? Then allow me to introduce you to Nadège Le Garlantezec. The Paris-based perfumer combines both worlds in various creations (see below) with what I’ll call a distinctive “scent-sitivity”.
+ Boucheron Quatre EDP (2015)
+ Ex Nihilo Devil Tender EDP (2016)
+ Liquides Imaginaires Île Pourpre EDP (2016)
+ Jovan Tropical Musk For Him Cologne (2017)
+ L’Occitane en Provence Terre de Lumière EDP (2017)
+ Coach Floral EDP (2018)
+ Rochas Mademoiselle Rochas EDT (2018)
+ Lancôme Idôle EDP (2019)
+ Valentino Donna Born In Roma Coral Fantasy EDP (2022)
+ Ex Nihilo Vesper Glitz EDP (2023)
+ Memo Inverness EDP (2023)
+ Tommy Hilfiger Impact Together EDT (2024)
After completing her chemistry and perfumery studies, Nadège Le Garlantezec joined Givaudan. She’s currently a senior perfumer in the Paris-based fine fragrance team of the Swiss fragrance and flavour company.
Earlier creations of hers include Eutopie No 6 EDP (2013) and Oriflame Imagination EDT (2014). More recently, in 2022, the career of Nadège Le Garlantezec hit a personal high with Prada Paradoxe.
WHEN YOU STARTED STUDYING CHEMISTRY AT UNIVERSITY, WERE YOU ALREADY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORLD OF PERFUMERY?
Yes, my passion for perfumery was already deeply rooted when I started my studies in chemistry. I chose this path, convinced it was the best way to achieve my dream of becoming a perfumer. This realisation inspired me to pursue my goal wholeheartedly. Chemistry was not always easy, but as soon as I was able to connect it with perfumery, everything changed.
“This connection between synesthesia and perfumery has been essential in my career as a perfumer.” – Nadège Le Garlantezec
I began to mentally visualise scents and develop synesthesias, which allowed me to create. This connection between synesthesia and perfumery has been essential in nurturing my passion and propelling me towards my career as a perfumer.
WHAT DID YOUR EDUCATION AT ISIPCA GIVE YOU?
What struck me the most during this experience were the exceptional encounters with perfumers, as well as the enriching exchanges and the bonds formed with my classmates, who are now valuable friends in the field.
This class of passionate individuals endures and we continue to come together to share our common love for perfumery. ISIPCA confirmed to me that I had my place in the perfumery world.
WHAT WAS YOUR DEBUT AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT NOW?
My first project was the creation of a scented candle. It was an incredible experience, as I was able to see a project take shape and be commercialised. It’s quite an amazing feeling.
Looking back, I feel immense pride in having created something tangible in the realm of olfaction that touched people beyond my family and friends. I still hold onto that sense of wonder, convinced that I will have succeeded in my career if I can maintain that same emotion every day.
HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY?
My days start in a varied way, without a fixed routine. I listen to my emotions and needs, which allows me to adapt my workplace. This flexibility is essential in a profession where creativity must be nourished by the inspiration of the moment.
YOU CO-CREATED NARCISO RODRIGUEZ NARCISO ROUGE EDP (2018) AND NARCISO ROUGE EDT (2019) WITH YOUR GIVAUDAN COLLEAGUE SONIA CONSTANT. WHAT STOOD OUT FOR YOUR DURING THOSE PROJECTS?
Working on Narciso Rouge was a significant experience, especially because it was one of my first forays into the European market. What struck me particularly was the creative freedom we had to introduce a fruity note into a traditionally musky range.
HOW DOES LANCÔME IDÔLE EDP (2019) AND ITS VARIOUS FLANKERS REPRESENT YOUR CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL APPROACH?
The original idea for Lancôme Idôle EDP was proposed by Shyamala Maisondieu, who focused on a universal scent, that of cleanliness.
Our collaboration with Shyamala Maisondieu and Adriana Medina aimed to transform this powerful and technical accord into an ultra-feminine and floral fragrance, while remaining true to the essence of the Lancôme brand and the initial concept. It is in this approach that our technical work was particularly successful, combining power and delicacy.
“The flankers always represent a wonderful opportunity for the three of us to come together and tell a new story.” – Nadège Le Garlantezec
The flankers always represent a wonderful opportunity for the three of us to come together and tell a new story, which is both a challenge and a pleasure. It’s a chance to express our creativity in each flanker.
WINNING THE BRIEF FOR PRADA PARADOXE EDP (2022), PRADA PARADOXE EDP INTENSE (2023) AND PRADA PARADOXE VIRTUAL FLOWER EDP (2024) MUST HAVE BEEN EXCITING. I SEE THEY INCLUDE SERENOLIDE. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS MUSK INGREDIENT AND THE EFFECT IT BRINGS TO THESE FRAGRANCES?
Winning the brief for Prada Paradoxe is a highlight of my career, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was necessary to adapt to the situation, and it remains a quite powerful story, especially since it was co-created with my mentors, Antoine Maisondieu and Shyamala Maisondieu. Serenolide is a renewable musk that brings a modern and addictive sensuality.
ÂME DU COEUR IS YOUR LATEST CREATION (2024) FOR LIQUIDES IMAGINAIRES. YOU’VE ALSO CREATED TELLUS (2015), ILE POURPRE (2016) AND NAVIS (2022) FOR THE BRAND. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH THE COMPANY FOUNDER PHILIPPE DI MÉO?
Working with Philippe Di Méo is always an exciting adventure. He was one of the first clients I met at art exhibitions and installations, long before we began collaborating on fragrance creation.
In the early days of Liquides Imaginaires, he was in search of sanguine waters. I had developed a note after a vacation in Portugal, capturing the essence of the Douro Valley with its hints of port, oak barrels and the interplay between wine and wood. I shared this idea with Philippe, who loved it and bottled it. He offers a rich and fascinating olfactory world that allows us to explore unconventional notes.
WHAT NOTE DO YOU ESPECIALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH? AND IS THERE ONE YOU STRUGGLE WITH?
I don’t set any limits for myself. I appreciate the balance between exploration time and moment of technicality that led us to work with our chosen materials. Some ingredients have been with me forever, while others appear unexpectedly and enrich my palette.
