Philippe Romano

Born on 23 December 1957 in Grasse, Philippe Romano was destined for a career in perfumery. As the son of a perfume maker, he grew up surrounded by the charming scent of orange blossom in Spain, where he developed a taste for freedom and a love of nature. Philippe honed his skills as a perfumer at Robertet Grasse, where he learned the art of fragrance creation under the guidance of his father and other experts in the field. Philippe Romano’s career took him to different parts of the world, including Japan, Brazil and the United States. He began his professional journey at Robertet, spending twenty-three years expanding his knowledge and experience. He later joined the Paris branch of Drom Fragrances in 2000, where he continued to share his passion and talent for more than 18 years. Philippe mentored young perfumers throughout his career, passing on his knowledge and experience. Romano’s work spans multiple brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Alfred Dunhill, Anna Sui, Azzaro, Bon Parfumeur, Elanzia, Emanuel Ungaro, Escada, Evody Parfums, FCUK, Jaguar, Kenneth Cole, Kenzo, La Closerie des Parfums, Lalique, Mercedes-Benz, NafNaf, Odin, Oxbow, Parfums Berdoues, Pascal Morabito, Roger & Gallet, Salvador Dali and Yves Rocher. Some of his most popular compositions include Escada Pacific Paradise, Yves Rocher FlowerParty, Salvador Dali Le Roy Soleil and Escada Island Kiss. Philippe Romano’s unique approach to perfume creation arose from his love of raw materials and sweet aromas. He was exceptionally skilled working with floral notes and fruity tones, and his collaborations with perfumers enabled him to master the use of butyrate and sulphurous notes. This experience contributed to the rise of the fruity family in fine perfumery, particularly in some of the limited editions of the iconic Escada fragrances. Inspired by the wild creativity of the 1970s, Romano sought to create perfumes that embodied raw sounds and the resonance of an old guitar. His favourite scents included vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli, and he aimed to convey emotions through his perfumes, stop time and evoke memories with every spray. Philippe Romano, an eternal optimist and epicure, appreciated the beauty and goodness of life. He loved Japanese culture, good whisky, Tagada strawberries, rosé wine, the Mediterranean Sea, riding a motorbike and playing the guitar. Spending quality time with his loved ones was of the utmost importance to him. Unfortunately, Philippe Romano died on 12 August 2021.