Perfumer
Pascal Gaurin
Pascal Gaurin, a well-known French perfumer and Senior VP Perfumer at IFF, has left an indelible mark on the world of fragrances. With a portfolio that includes scents for prestigious brands such as Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Tom Ford and more, Gaurin’s passion for perfume has led him to an illustrious career.
As a child, Pascal Gaurin was captivated by his surroundings, smelling everything from foods and plants to furniture and soil. His fascination with craftsmanship was a way of connecting with his great-grandfather, a bronze sculptor. At the age of 15, he met a tailor who instilled in him a taste for beautiful materials and a passion for detail. However, it was not until much later, when reading an article about the perfume industry in Vogue, that he truly became interested in pursuing a “nose” career.
During his preparation for HEC, an interview describing Jacques Polge’s career path served as a revelation. Gaurin decided that his only obsession would be to create perfumes. He began his journey by studying at the prestigious ISIPCA in France. A year after completing his perfumery studies, he was recruited by IFF, the world leader in the creation of aromas and flavours.
Gaurin’s early career with IFF took him all over the world, working in Hong Kong for two years and creating fragrances for markets such as China, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. This cultural shock taught him humility and helped him learn about Asian customs and olfactory preferences. In 1997, Gaurin moved to the city of his dreams, New York, where he would continue developing his illustrious career.
Since joining IFF, Pascal Gaurin has risen through the ranks to become VP Senior Perfumer. He has signed scents for an impressive variety of brands, including A Lab on Fire, Avon, Banana Republic, By Kilian, Calvin Klein, Carine Roitfeld, Christian Lacroix, Dalegerard, Diana Vreeland, Diesel, EAUSO VERT, Emanuel Ungaro, Ésika, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Graff, Harajuku Lovers, Henry Rose, Hugo Boss, Karl Lagerfeld, Liz Claiborne, MojoMagique, Natura, O Boticário, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Scents of Wood, Sofia Vergara, Taffin Fragrances, Tom Ford, Vera Wang and Zoologist Perfumes.
Pascal Gaurin is known for his affinity for dense essences, such as resins and deep woods. He is inspired by his grandparents’ home in Creuse, France, where dark forests evoke a sense of mystery and charm. Gaurin enjoys working with “front materials” that require the touch of a sculptor to be tamed, such as cistus ládano, patchouli and Cashmeran®.
Gaurin’s approach to perfume creation is deeply influenced by film and music. A fan of directors such as Martin Scorsese, David Fincher and Ridley Scott, he watches dozens of films a week to switch off from reality. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical artists, from Radiohead and the Rolling Stones to Pearl Jam and Guns N’ Roses, Gaurin harnesses the energy and emotion evoked by each song in his creative process. He often conceptualises a perfume brief in musical terms before delving into the olfactory elements of his creations.
