Perfumer
Marie Duchêne
Born in 1973, Marie Duchêne knew she wanted to be a perfumer from the time she was old enough to have use of reason. Raised in the region of Reims, France, she pursued her passion for fragrances by studying chemistry before entering the prestigious ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et des Arômes Alimentaires) in Versailles in 1994. At ISIPCA, Duchêne refined her knowledge of raw materials, perfume accords, the history of perfumery, and the chemistry of aroma.
Marie Duchêne’s training practices took her to the Grasse region, where she began her learning at various perfume companies. As she gained experience and contacts, Duchêne founded her own fragrance creation company, MD Fragrances, in 2002. With MD Fragrances, she offers her expertise and carefully selected quality raw materials to her clients. Duchêne also collaborates with a team of talented professionals who share her dedication to ensure that each creation is exceptional.
In addition to her work with MD Fragrances, Duchêne works as a senior perfumer at Givaudan. She has collaborated with numerous well-known brands, such as Molinard, Laboratorio Olfattivo, Nobile 1942, Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger, Condensé Paris, Jacques Zolty, Le Galion, Maison Tahité, Officine Creative Profumi and Place des Lices.
Inspired by her father’s advice to always let herself be surprised, Marie Duchêne believes it is essential to cultivate olfactory memory and to feed artistic and emotional curiosity. She enjoys the formulation process, which allows her imagination and creativity to flourish within a highly technical framework.
Duchêne’s approach to perfume creation embraces the delicate balance between the technical and artistic aspects of the craft. She enjoys the challenge of balancing these two worlds and finds satisfaction in her day-to-day work.
Some of the most popular perfumes created by Marie Duchêne include Laboratorio Olfattivo Alkemi, Laboratorio Olfattivo Tonkade and Nobile 1942 Anonimo Veneziano. These fragrances showcase her talent for crafting exceptional scents that delight and captivate the senses.
Marie Duchêne’s career as a perfumer is a testament to her passion for the art of fragrances and her unwavering dedication to creativity and innovation. From her studies at ISIPCA to the creation of her own company, MD Fragrances, and her work with well-known brands, Duchêne has left her mark on perfumery.
