By : Linda G. Al Ali

Could you tell us something about yourself and your passion for perfumery? When did you first start making perfume?

I’ve been perfumer with Firmenich for the past 40 years and my passion for perfumes and fragrances is still the same as the very first day I started working there. It all began when I read an article about Jean-Paul Guerlain in French Vogue. At the time, being a perfumer wasn’t such a glamorous job and really wasn’t talked about much but that article was a real revelation and steered me towards my path.

How do you choose your fragrance? Do you have a process?

This is the most difficult part of my job, I find it so hard to make a decision because as a creator, I never feel like my product is truly finished. It’s much easier when I work with other brands as I have deadlines to stick to, at some point, I have to stop making modifications, but when I create for Mizensir, my daughter has to police me, or I’d keep making adjustments forever.

What draws you to a particular scent?

I draw inspiration from everything – an emotion, a souvenir, family and other people close to me, travel etc. The idea for Epine de Rose, for example, came to me once, when I was at the airport. I had smelled a beautiful rose scent on a man who was sat close to me. Smelling such a fragrance on a male figure gave me the idea to create a very particular masculine rose scent.

What is your approach to making a perfume? How would you describe the style of your perfumes?

I would describe my perfumes as fresh, transparent and fluid.

 What are your thoughts on scents and seasons? Do you change your fragrance seasonally?

I change perfume several times a day but I do not believe there are particular scents for each season. You should wear different perfumes depending on your mood.

 How did you decide to start your own line?

I started this brand with my wife, over 20 years ago with the creation of the Mizensir candles. I have always had a love for fine scented candles and it just felt right to start my fragrance house with them. Over time, I’ve created more than 100 different scented candle fragrances. At some point, I felt Mizensir was ready for the next step, so naturally, we went on to create our perfume line.

“I want to create perfumes of excellence”

 Could you tell us what makes Mizensir Parfums special? Is it a big deviation from other perfumes that you’ve made in the past, or even from most perfumes in the market?

When I founded Mizensir Parfums, I wasn’t trying to create a complicated or super original concept. I want to create perfumes of excellence. There is no compromise in the selection of raw materials. Our perfumes are created for those who love quality perfumes.

 Which is your favourite Creed scent, and why?

I could not tell which one is my favourite in the Creed collection but Olivier is a great friend of mine and one of the most talented perfumers of our generation.

 What material do you use in your perfume?

Of course, I use a lot of natural ingredients that are carefully selected by Firmenich to be the best in the industry.

On the other hand, I like to use synthetic molecules, especially the musks, that allow me to give some depth and a mysterious dimension to my creations.

 With so much to smell, how do you make a selection?

I live surrounded by smells, good and bad. I draw inspiration for my creations from it. What is essential is to know how to associate and balance them.

 After starting your own line, what will be your next future plan?

For Mizensir, the plan is to keep creating as many perfumes as possible. Mizensir is my playground where I can create and explore as much as I want.