Pierre Bourdon's journey into the world of perfumery didn’t begin with childhood dreams of fragrant fields but with political science textbooks in Paris. Born in 1946, Pierre initially pursued a more conventional path until a chance meeting with the legendary Edmond Roudnitska in the south of France changed everything. Inspired, Pierre pivoted to perfumery, training rigorously for five years at Roure in Grasse, under the guidance of not only Roudnitska but also Jean Carles, absorbing the kind of wisdom only true masters could offer.

From Roure Paris, where he worked on the often-overlooked art of scenting everyday products, to a transformative stint in the U.S., Pierre was never one to rest on laurels. It was in 1981 that his career hit its first seismic note with the creation of Kouros for Yves Saint Laurent—a scent that would go on to define masculinity for an era. A year later, he co-founded Takasago Europe, becoming its head perfumer and giving the world Davidoff Cool Water in the late '80s. This blue marvel set trends, defining aquatic fragrances for generations. As Creative Director at Quest, and later as CEO of Fragrance Resources in Paris, Pierre combined leadership with artistry, contributing to industry-shaping creations like Dolce Vita for Dior in 1995. He went on to infuse his personal touch into niche masterpieces for Frédéric Malle and MDCI, proving that his artistry knew no bounds.

PERFUMERY AS CREATING ART

Pierre Bourdon believes perfumery is creating art. Inspired by his mentor, Edmond Roudnitska, he thinks a perfume must resonate deeply, becoming part of the wearer’s identity. And all the master’s scents are exactly that: too unforgettable to be ‘just another scent.’

THE CREATIONS