Alex Lee

Alex Lee, a renowned perfumer currently working with Mane, has built an impressive track record of creating fragrances for leading brands such as Lancôme, Carolina Herrera and Penhaligon's. Born and raised in California, Lee’s multicultural background and his passion for aromas have shaped his unique approach to perfume creation. In this biography, we delve into his beginnings, education, career, achievements and the inspirations and stories behind his exceptional work in the world of perfumery. Growing up in California, Alex Lee became fascinated by scents at an early age. Chasing the girls in the playground to smell their shampoo-washed hair was a testament to his budding interest in fragrances. This fascination led to a passion for collecting perfume bottles, which ultimately laid the foundations for his career in the fragrance industry. Although he initially studied towards a career in medicine, Alex realised that perfumery allowed him to pursue his dreams of helping others while pursuing his passion. After meeting a scientist in this field, he decided to study in Grasse, the cradle of perfumery and the ideal place to learn about natural raw materials. In 2007, he left California to study French in Lyon. The following year, he was admitted to the Grasse Institute of Perfumery. After several assistant positions in fragrance houses in Grasse, he was accepted into ISIPCA. Upon graduating, Alex was selected to train at Mane’s perfumery school. He began his training at the global headquarters in Bar-sur-Loup and spent a year in the Manhattan office before joining the Mane team in Paris. In 2013, Alex won the competition for young perfumers "The Scent of Esxence - 5 Years of Excellence". Since then, he has created fragrances for Maison Lancôme, Salvatore Ferragamo and exceptional perfume brands such as Sillages, Penhaligon's and Masque Milano. Some of his most popular compositions include Lancôme Figues & Agrumes, Carolina Herrera Gold Myrrh Absolute and Penhaligon's Agarbathi. Alex’s passion for fragrances is rooted in the belief that they serve as emotional medicine, evoking feelings and memories. Drawing on his multicultural background, Lee is able to connect with people through his fragrances, bringing a fresh and innovative touch to the industry. His approach to creating perfumes reflects his sincerity, humility and curiosity about French culture and language, enabling him to forge passionate and lasting relationships in the world of fragrances.