Michelle Moellhausen

“The aromas and fragrances engraved in my memory become ongoing connections, and I always have to remain connected to them. It’s like a memory exercise, a task that involves the nostrils and stimulates the brain—a search for adjectives that describe a sensory experience, which is also a metaphor—an ongoing story—a creation”. - Michelle Moellhausen. Her multicultural background makes Michelle Moellhausen herself a precious blend of essences. In Milan, on 5 May 1989, Michelle was born to a Paraguayan mother of Dutch origin and a father of German origin. A SOLID EDUCATIONAL BASE Growing up between Paraguay and Italy, Michelle followed a broad multidisciplinary educational path that established a cultural and experiential foundation on which she was able to cultivate a free and conscious vision, while staying open to debate and new perspectives. Throughout her life, Michelle’s world has been characterised by constant, versatile openness. From childhood, Michelle has spoken and studied four languages: English, French, Spanish and Italian, the language of her country of birth. After finishing high school, she studied International Business and Management in Boston, where she graduated cum laude. Finally, Michelle rounded off her training at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, a prestigious international perfumery school. Taken together, Michelle has followed a harmonious and natural course of studies for a young woman from the Moellhausen family, which has more than 50 years of tradition in the fragrances industry. GLOBAL CULTURE Her origins and education have instilled in Michelle a fully multicultural perspective. “My love of travelling has been a tremendous advantage in my training in the perfume industry. The charm of nature inspires me to use particular ingredients from exotic and, above all, natural origins”. INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED SKILLS Michelle has worked at the company since 2012 and currently holds the delicate and complex position of R&D Director. Here, she primarily focuses on the development of fragrances and advanced ingredients for “modern” perfumers who require special technical and creative elements. Sometimes, inspiration comes from a simple intuition, driven by technique, knowledge and experience. Michelle has the ability to predict and understand the positive interactions of raw materials. “An example is Petit Grain, an essential oil obtained from the twigs and leaves of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium amara L.) and one of the main ingredients in perfumery. It’s a typical material of Paraguay, a country I feel very connected to, both through old memories of my childhood and through recent experiences. Working with others to create perfumes is also deeply satisfying and energises the challenge: an endless challenge”. Based on her skills, Michelle has been welcomed as a member of the “Société Française des Parfumeurs” and of Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce Inc. INSPIRATION The world is Michelle’s “perfumery chamber”. “My research allows me to express myself in the most interesting form of art. I have always felt driven to understand things, to examine them and connect them. Perfumery allows me to temporarily leave the world, follow my intuition to focus, analyse and deepen a problem without external limitations. Perfumery makes me feel free”. For Michelle, creating with fragrances is the culmination of her broad experience; her ability to communicate, listen and tune in with her clients; and her aptitude for drawing inspiration both from the nature of the world and the dreams of those who will wear the perfume. CREATIVITY AS A FRUIT OF EXPERIENCE Michelle’s enthusiasm intensifies when she works on a new perfume. “The thrill of discovery! That ingredient that seems insignificant but turns out to be a game-changer in a given composition! Infinite combinations and possibilities to create something new in a world where sometimes it seems that everything has already been done!”. Michelle’s career is also marked by the unique experiences she lives with her father Anthony, travelling around the world to visit plantations, small and large producers of essential oils and other plant derivatives, different types of industries and conferences on flavours and fragrances. “Since I can remember, I have always accompanied my father to the IFEAT [International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades] conferences. Each year I looked forward to this event with impatience; it meant travelling to distant countries with extremely different characteristics. These trips involved daily discoveries, as we visited unusual cities and fields, plantations, artisans and industries. I was in a constant state of wonder throughout these multisensory experiences, and the flavours and smells associated with these trips have been engraved in my memory. Only now do I truly understand the tremendous opportunity I was given. Even today, I often experience aromas that awaken memories of the IFEAT journeys”. TALENT AND VALUES There is still much to learn, and the family tradition of innovation spans many generations. “I’m not tied to limiting clichés. I hope to be able to reinvent myself in the future, and always stay up to date and constantly move forward. Although I’m drawn to traditional values, I’m modern at heart and I’m always looking to move towards new expressions and creative activities. Through development and a love of fragrances, I become more and more authentic; I get closer to my true self”. Michelle’s talent is nourished by her love and expressed through the high value she places on the successful creation of new fragrances. VITALITY AND AWARENESS Michelle’s lifelong commitment to discovery and evolution reflects the vitality of a young professional who loves learning and understanding, from yoga to multi-ethnic cooking, from modern art to architecture, and with an especially attentive eye to fashion and cosmetics trends. With an awareness similar to that of the Impressionist painters, whom she knows and loves, Michelle Moellhausen demonstrates an ability to capture, collect and assemble “en plein air” suggestions that the world and nature provide her with.