Dominique Ropion
Dominique Ropion's rise in the world of perfumery was far from ordinary. But then again, so are the perfumes crafted by the master himself. He stumbled upon the art of perfumery by chance, yet his calling made itself known from childhood when he sensed even the distinct smell of a handshake. What followed was an unexpected journey from Paris to Grasse and back, a deep exploration of molecules and almost architectural aromatic compositions – a journey the master equates with introspection.
Ropion likens the process of creating a perfume to how Raymond Queneau constructed the volume 'Hundred Thousand Billion Poems': by cutting out lines from other poems to allow the reader the freedom to create their own story. Similarly, the master perfumer crafts his own palette of raw materials and accords, combining them in surprising ways to yield unique compositions. He professes a soft spot for tuberose, rose, jasmine, violet, jasmine, narcissus, orange blossom, and cashmeran, but one of the earliest scents etched in his memory from childhood is that of the Paris subway.
PERFUMERY AS MEANS TO EXPRESS PRIMAL INSTINCTS
The master views his art as a dialogue with emotions, a way to express, deconstruct, and evoke love, sensuality, and freedom. He favors perfumes that reveal themselves gradually over those immediately understood, valuing the slow unfolding of scent. He believes that everyone instinctively searches for the fragrance that resonates closest to their skin, the epitome of sensuality.
