Olivia Giacobetti

Born in 1966, Olivia Giacobetti, a well-known French perfumer, drew inspiration from the world of fragrances from an early age. Her father, Francis Giacobetti, is a celebrated artist who influenced her creative spirit. At nine years old, Olivia became fascinated by the art of perfumery after watching the film by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, "Lovers Like Us", in which Yves Montand played a perfumer. Giacobetti’s journey in the world of perfumery began at 16, when she started working for Annick Goutal. Later she joined the French fragrance and flavour company Robertet and worked there for seven years as a perfumer’s assistant. In 1990, at the age of 24, Giacobetti set up her own company, Iskia, and began creating bespoke fragrances for prestigious brands such as L'Artisan Parfumeur, Diptyque and Hermès. In 2003, with the support of the Japanese cosmetics conglomerate Shiseido, Giacobetti launched her independent line called Iunx, which included perfumes, candles and body products. Although the initial boutique had difficulties, Iunx products found a new home in a boutique inside the Hôtel Costes in Paris, where Giacobetti had previously created the hotel’s signature scent. In 2016, she opened a new Iunx boutique in Paris. Throughout her career, Giacobetti has collaborated with numerous luxury brands, including Guerlain, Fendi, Hugo Boss and Penhaligon's. Her creations have earned her a reputation for innovation and refinement, with particular emphasis on her pioneering use of fig notes in perfumery in the mid-1990s. Olivia Giacobetti’s unique approach to perfume creation is characterised by her ability to combine contrasting elements, resulting in innovative and captivating fragrances. Her fragrances often feature mixed-media compositions, using both natural and synthetic ingredients. Giacobetti believes these elements are "indissociable", with synthetic ingredients providing the fragrance’s "backbone" and natural ingredients adding "nuances". Giacobetti’s creations reflect her imaginative and innovative spirit, such as her revolutionary Premier Figuier for L'Artisan Parfumeur and Philosykos for Diptyque, both inspired by the fig tree. Her work has influenced the industry, and many other brands have adopted fig notes in their fragrances. One of Giacobetti’s most acclaimed creations is En Passant, a subtle and innovative floral fragrance that evokes the essence of spring rain over fresh flowers. Another notable creation is L'Artisan Parfumeur Dzing!, an aroma inspired by the Cirque d'Hiver of Paris that masterfully blends various scents into a comforting and subtly succulent blend. Olivia Giacobetti has deeply impacted contemporary perfumery, playing an integral role in the shift towards recognising the "nose" behind the fragrance and promoting independent lines that highlight these creators.