Perfumes de Mona di Orio

Born and raised in France to a Spanish mother and an Italian father, Mona di Orio grew up in Annecy, a picturesque town surrounded by nature. Mona’s fascination with fragrances began at an early age as she explored the olfactory wonders of the homes and gardens of her childhood. She graduated from the School of Art with a degree in Fine Arts and Literature, and her life took a significant turn when she met Master Perfumier Edmond Roudnitska, the creator of legendary perfumes for Dior and Hermes.

When Mona di Orio met Edmond Roudnitska in July 1987, she had no idea that this chance encounter would become a crucial moment in her life. Roudnitska saw potential in Mona and asked her to be his student, which she agreed to. Mona studied under Roudnitska’s guidance for six years in his laboratory near Cabris, a small town close to Grasse. This mentorship lasted 15 years and would shape Mona’s approach to creating perfumes.

Her training strongly influenced Mona di Orio’s unique approach to perfume creation as an art and literature-inspired pursuit, her love of nature, and the teachings of her mentor, Edmond Roudnitska. Mona believed in the interaction between fragrances, colours and sounds, often drawing inspiration from the natural world and the concept of light. She liked to play with olfactory chiaroscuro, combining sparkling top notes, sensual heart notes and mysterious base notes to create multifaceted fragrances that evoked emotions and memories.

After years of learning and perfecting her craft, Mona di Orio founded her eponymous perfume house, quickly gaining recognition as one of the most sophisticated and exclusive niche brands. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and carefully selected raw materials, Mona’s fragrances exemplified her unique identity as a perfumier. Her creations were minimalist but complex, with compositions that demonstrated extraordinary longevity and sillage.

In December 2011, Mona di Orio tragically passed away at the age of 42 due to complications following back surgery. However, her legacy of passion, art and innovative fragrance creations endures. Today, her business partner, Jeroen Oude Sogtoen, continues to guide and maintain the Mona di Orio brand, ensuring that her unique vision and her dedication to the art of perfume creation are honoured and preserved.