What was the first fragrance you ever wore?
My first fragrance was Pour Monsieur de Chanel, which was my grandfather’s perfume—a very chic Chypre. I still love this fragrance because it reminds me of him. It’s very elegant.
What is your earliest scent memory?
I remember the smell of the Corsican shore, where I traveled to each summer as a child.
What are your favorite smells and why?
That mixture of salt, sand and bushes—a very typical olfactive mix.
When coming up with fragrance ideas, what are you inspired by?
When I begin working on a fragrance, my first source of inspiration is the story I want to tell. Our fragrances are very figurative…like books they are telling a tale and creating a sense of mystery.
Which destinations have inspired you the most?
All destinations have their own olfactive print—even cities like New York and Paris, but I would say Africa. With the intensity of the heat in Africa, the smells are very concentrated. That is where I discovered that a strong smell can also be magical.
Which one of your fragrances is the most meaningful to you?
L’humaniste from Frapin. It’s a fresh but very stylish fragrance…simple yet very elegant, which is a difficult combination to achieve.
Besides applying scent, what else does your grooming regimen entail?
I use some David Mallett Salt Spray in my hair. David is the best hairdresser. He’s Australian and based in Paris.
What’s always in your dopp kit?
I have something to clean my glasses, which are a very important part of my style. I tend to choose styles that are more cool or intellectual looking. And I use the beard balm from David Mallett and all of the miracle products from Skeen.
How long have you had a beard?
I started my own business at 32. I needed to look older at that time to be trusted by my partners.
