Creative Directors in Perfumery: Luc Gabriel of the Different Company + The DNA of Different Fragrance Draw

the different company logo

 In 2002, I discovered a rose perfume that rocked my world; Rose Poivree by The Different Company created in 2000. The "dirty" rose genre is popular today, but back then it was DIFFERENT. Hard core spicy notes of cumin, civet, black pepper coated the most beautiful Rose damascus with a sheen of sweat. A very modern rose perfume, not fusty, not dewy but  voluptuous bringing to mind the scent of a beautiful woman after a night of passionate sex. I had never smelled anything like it.  Even the flacon, with its architectural chrome stopper and heavy glass bottle (designed by Thierry de Baschmakoff) was DIFFERENT. That Rose Poivree was signed by Jean-Claude Ellena (who co-founded The Different Company in 2000 before leaving for Hermes in 2004) is intriguing when you consider his later take on rose, Rose Ikebana for Hermes feels like its polar opposite.

While Tama Blough was at Esxence, she had the opportunity to meet Luc Gabriel, the Creative Director and owner of The Different Company. That meeting is our great fortune. –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Luc Gabriel

Luc Gabriel, Creative Director and Owner of The Different Company at Esxence (photo:Tama Blough)

I discovered the world of fragrances at the age of 7, when I first walked into my mother’s perfumery. What a shock!! All these different and intriguing scents, for me it was just as thrilling as entering a pastry shop with unlimited pocket money to spend. Back in these days, fragrances were not particularly in fashion, Opium by YSL was not even launched and we had Rive Gauche, Climat, Estée on the shelves plus the traditional fragrances of the 50s and 60s. But day in day out I tried them all, again and again and this is how I built my first library of fragrance memories.

It has been a tremendous experience, a defining moment in my exploration of the world.

JEAN CLAUDE ELLENA THE DIFFERENT COMPANY COLLECTION CALSSIQUE OSMANTHUS, ROSE POIVREE, BOIS D'IRIS, BERGAMOTE, OSMANTHUS, JASMIN DE NUIT

Jean-Claude Ellena for the Different Company: Rose Poivree, Bergamote, Bois D'Iris, Jasmin du Nuit and Osmanthus

Then I followed a more traditional path, one that leads to large companies and strategy consulting. Not really the traditional background for a creative director of a luxury fragrance house. Since life is full of surprises, I had the amazing opportunity to be part of The Different Company’s adventure which I now own and manage. I’ve not been involved in the day to day business until 2004, the very moment Jean-Claude Ellena created Bergamote for us and joined Hermes.

At that time we had only 4 fragrances on our portfolio, each created by Jean-Claude and each epitomizing The Different Company’s DNA; bring back true contemporary luxury and emotions in the fragrance world, with a twist, an angle, a different perspective for every scent we dare to bring out in the open.

Because launching a fragrance is not trivial. It is a true creative and interactive process, which involves not only the perfumer and the creative director but also every person who discovers, tries and (hopefully) loves this fragrance. Eventually, the object of our creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients, close to the skin and the heart, anchored in their memories and their history. We have a great responsibility which should lead us all to remain humble.

CHRISTINE NAGEL UN NUIT MAGNETIQUE

Christine Nagel composed Une Nuit Magnétique debuting in May

In order to get the most out of any fragrance creation, I believe in a thorough and step by step process. First, I need to build a common language and vocabulary with the perfumer since all emotions and visions have to be expressed with words. And a fragrance in the making has so many variations and subtleties that we need to use this vocabulary at its best to share and understand our feelings and project a common vision.  Does too fruity mean the same to all? And what of long lasting, diffusing or evanescent? It sometimes happens that you create your own vocabulary in order to enhance the communication with a perfumer. For Une Nuit Magnétique, the first fragrance created with Christine Nagel for The Different Company, we rapidly found a unique language. Strange words like square, rectangular, wide or vertical or colors like red, blue or black. We have actually discussed the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance we were working on and we exactly knew what it meant for both of us. This is actually rare to be on the same page so rapidly but I guess it also comes from the great experience and open mindedness of Christine.

ESPRIT DE COLOGNES THE DIFFERENT COMPANY EMILIE cOPPERMAN

Emilie Coppermann of Symrise worked with Luc Gabriel on the L'Esprit de Cologne Collection  (Tokyo Bloom, Sienne D'Orange, After Midnight, Limon de Cordoza 2012) and Kâshân Rose, White Zagora and South Bay 2013)

 

The tempo is also of the essence. Each perfume composer has his/her own working habits. With Bertrand Duchaufour, we would work intensely in long sessions and let the fragrance rest for a month or two before going back working on it. And of course we would hesitate, weight the different options and leave up to 3 paths open before zeroing in on just one. Being able to comfortably live with uncertainty is also part of the process case. Emilie Coppermann works on a totally different time frame, her sequence being more around a week to integrate the comments and propose adjustments.

BERTRAND DUCHAUFOUR COLLECTION EXCESSIVE OUD FOR LOVE OUD SHAMASH THE DIFFERENT COMPANY

Bertrand Duchaufor created Oud Shamash, Aurore Nomade and Oud for Love… more from Duchaufour? read on… (the links are our perfume reviews)

A common feature of all great perfumers is that their whole personae is engaged in the creative process, starting from the choice of material, the techniques used, the interaction with the creative director, the acceptance of comments and sometimes contradictions, and eventually the end of the journey, the moment when everybody agrees that the fragrance is good “as is” and needs no more fine tuning. But it happens that sometimes you are not there yet.  I must admit that I have a fragrance by Bertrand completely finalized but I’m still not ready to launch it…

Eventually, we have to recognize that the goals of the perfumer and the Creative Director cannot be aligned. My goal is to create the best possible fragrance within the DNA of the brand taking into account our existing fragrances. I do brief the perfumers but they are not given a complete “carte blanche”. There is a fine line to manage there, let the perfumer express his/her view and, from time to time, drive them back on the path you want to follow. You can only adjust gently touch after touch so that the fragrance ends up in a place common to the perfumer and the brand. Once this is achieved, the work is complete.

–Luc Gabriel, Creative Director and owner of The Different Company

TDCCorp1

Thanks to M.Gabriel we have a worldwide draw for a readers choice of six of some of the best and most diverse perfumes from The Different Company: 50 ml of Rose Poivree (Jean-Claude Ellena, 2000),  50 ml Bergamote (Jean-Claude Ellena, 2004), 50 ml Sel de Vetiver (a CaFleureBon Modern Masterpiece, Celine Ellena, 2006) , Oud Shamash (Bertrand Duchaufour, 2011), 90 ml refillable bottle South Bay (Emilie Coppermann, 2013) or the new Une Nuit de Magnetique, (Christine Nagel, 2014,but you will have to wait unil May if you choose this).

Editor's Note:There are 24 fragrances in the current collection (if you read Claudia Kroyer's National Library Week article connecting Suskind's Perfume:The Story of a Murderer to  The Different Company Pure Virgin it was renamed Pure EvE). The DifferentCompany has also launched a line of home fragrances: Modern House and Collection de Reves.

To be eligible, please leave a comment about what moved you,  you learned or a memorable quote from this article about Luc Gabriel as a Creative Director, your choice of the fragrance from the above that you would like to win and where you live. If you have a favorite The Different Company perfume we would love for you to share that too!! Draw closes April 29, 2014

Increase your chances of winning by LIKING CaFleureBon Creative Directors in Perfumery; your comment will count twice.

 We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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70 comments

  • FearsMice says:

    “We have actually discussed the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance we were working on and we exactly knew what it meant for both of us. This is actually rare to be on the same page so rapidly but I guess it also comes from the great experience and open mindedness of Christine.” What a wonderful collaborative experience this must have been for Luc and Christine! Having to choose only one perfume is agonizing, but… I’ll go with Rose Poivree. I’m in the US; thanks for the draw.

  • Nancy Knows says:

    I loved hearing about Luc’s mission to “bring back back true contemporary luxury and emotions in the fragrance world, with a twist, an angle, a different perspective for every scent we dare to bring out in the open.” I also loved how he said bringing out a new fragrance is not trivial. I think we (the audience of CaFleureBon) are well aware that fragrance is a real art form, but it’s an epiphany that hasn’t reached the general public yet. I would love to try Rose Poivree and I’m also in the US. Thanks for spotlighting exactly what creative directors do– it’s fascinating. 🙂

  • carole macleod says:

    I am moved by the thought of a seven year old boy learning to appreciate and love perfume, and to share that love with the world. It would require remarkable synergy between he and the perfumers to develoe a fragrance, brush stroke by brush stroke, that is beautiful and commercial.
    This care is evident in the line. I am a fan of Sel de Vitiver, and I live in Canada. Thank you for this site!

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I love reading tidbits such as the different tempo of each perfumer… it’s like getting a sneak peak into how they work. Thank you and M. Gabriel for the generous draw! I am in the US and would absolutely love Sel de Vetiver.

  • Sandi L says:

    Great insights into a vision of a creative director and how he or she has got to express to the perfumer the same passion of the vision thus bringing them together a one vision. I enjoyed hearing that new words are created to express this vision at a deep yet simple understanding. Loved that the process is interactive from start to finish and Luc’s descriptive including the client, very humbling. I did notice he is waiting for the right time to release a finished Bertrand fragrance, which caught my eye 😉 Luc Thank you for taking the time to do this great post into the creative end of a perfume visionary.Thanks to M. Gabriel for the great draw items. I Would love Sel de Vetiver. I am in the US

  • silvrolive says:

    I find it fascinating how Mr. Gabriel learns the “language” of each perfumed who creates a perfume for the Different Company.
    Rose Poivree is my choice for the draw. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • StaceyW says:

    I found it interesting when he compared the style of the different perfumers that he’s worked with in refining the scent…specifically Duchaufour taking a month or two and Emilie Coppermann only taking a week. I would love to win Bergamote and I am in the U.S. The only Different Company scent I’ve tried is Sel de Vetiver which is brilliant!

  • Melissa says:

    I enjoyed Mr. Gabriel’s comments about working with different perfumers. And I love the story of his seven year old self, thrilled by the bottles in his mother’s shop.

    My choice would be Une Nuit Magnétique and I live in the US.

  • Claudia says:

    I find it interesting how a common feature of all great perfumers is that their whole personae is engaged in the creative process, starting from the choice of material, the techniques used, the interaction with the creative director, the acceptance of comments and sometimes contradictions, and eventually the end of the journey, the moment when everybody agrees that the fragrance is good “as is” and needs no more fine tuning. I also like each fragrance in the line is created with the DNA that makes us recognize different perfume houses or perfumers work. Its not a surprise to me that each perfumer has their own style and the right time to release a finished fragrance. My choice would be the new Une Nuit de Magnetique, and I am definitely willing to wait 🙂

  • Liz M says:

    ”Back in these days, fragrances were not particularly in fashion, Opium by YSL was not even launched and we had Rive Gauche, Climat, Estée on the shelves plus the traditional fragrances of the 50s and 60s. But day in day out I tried them all, again and again and this is how I built my first library of fragrance memories.”
    I was always wondering how it all began. All our memories are priceless.

    I’m international reader. My choice would be Oud Shamash. Thanks for the draw!

  • Magnolia386 says:

    I love M. Gabriel’s assertion: ‘A common feature of all great perfumers is that their whole personae is engaged in the creative process…’ this resonates very powerfully, as I believe that perfumery is science, yes, but also, like all great art: equal parts inspiration and creative rigor. I’m in the US and would like to experience Rose Poivree. We readers are so grateful for the opportunities to try these incredible creations, thank you.

  • merlina says:

    I can think on colours when I smell perfumes but I can’t imagine what is it to think on shapes, words like square, rectangular, wide or vertical….is totally strange to me! Well . I, m curious about the last Une nuit…ebut if I win I would like to have Sel de Vetiver.
    I, m In Spain. Thank you for the draw

  • Sabine says:

    I was very intrigued to learn about the invention of a common language. Would love to hear more about that and how it can be translated into language that we all can use wehn describing a scent. I’m in the UK and would love to try Rose Poivree. Many thanks.

  • Elia says:

    I liked the following quote: “Eventually, the object of our creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients, close to the skin and the heart, anchored in their memories and their history”. The Different Company is a house I’ve not explored yet, I think I’ve only tried Sel de Vetiver so far.
    I would like to be in the draw for Rose Poivre, I am in the EU

  • Yukiko says:

    Very often, it is very difficult to translate one’s own emotions and feelings into words. “…build a common language and vocabulary with the perfumer since all emotions and visions have to be expressed with words.” This notion, to create a common ground among the people you work and relate with, can be applied to many situations in life. I also like the quote “creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients”. It is so true! The perfume can be with the person’s every step of her/his life. It is comforting to know that the creators of the perfume have this perspective.
    I’m in the EU and I’d love to try Rose Poivree.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • ringthing says:

    Overall, I am struck by the thoughtfulness and careful attention to the needs of the eventual consumer – “the object of our creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients, close to the skin and the heart, anchored in their memories and their history. We have a great responsibility”. So often in lofty discussions of the art of perfumery, it can feel as if the fact that a perfume is actually a very personal product woven into a person’s life experiences is lost. Jasmin de Nuit is my favorite TDC perfume and for this generous draw, I would choose the divine Bergamote; thanks to all, this series is always excellent!

  • Rebekah says:

    First off, what an amazing draw! If I were to win, I would choose Rose Poivrée without question.

    I really loved the comment that “For Une Nuit Magnétique, the first fragrance created with Christine Nagel for The Different Company, we rapidly found a unique language. Strange words like square, rectangular, wide or vertical or colors like red, blue or black. We have actually discussed the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance we were working on and we exactly knew what it meant for both of us.” I have very “mild” synesthesia (I when I see letters and numbers they neurologically appear a particular color) and so I am always so excited to see synesthetic descriptions of things I love.

  • Patty P. says:

    Discovering the world of fragrances at age 7, priceless. 🙂
    For the draw I’d like South Bay. USA ty

  • maysamassimo says:

    Hi! I really liked to learn about the respect Mr. Luc Gabriel’s has for each perfume composers’ working habits. like in the following quote: “You can only adjust gently touch after touch so that the fragrance ends up in a place common to the perfumer and the brand”.
    I’m in the US and my choice is Rose Poivree , my favorite from the collection. I also like Aurore Nomade very much.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Connie says:

    Very interesting to read about the language used to cocneptualize and then create Une Nuit Magnetique- it’s interesting that visuals words might give a better idea of what one is looking to smell than more smell-related words. I would like to try Une Nuit Magnetique, and I’m in the US.

  • d3m0licion says:

    Wow , what an amazing article and what an amazing job Mr. Gabriel has, is really interesting to know that each perfumer has their own methods, like the creative process involved in the creation of the latest fragrance Un Nuit Magnetique. A different approach for sure, Christine Nagel is really talented and would love to try that new fragrance. My choice is Un Nuit magnetique and I am located in the US

  • The Perfumed Veil says:

    It’s cool that he discovered perfume at 7! That is unusual. I love Rose Poivree and Oud Shamash. I’d like to win either one. Of course there are so many wonderful scents in this line, like Sublime Balkiss. But Rose Poivree is probably the best peppery rose out there. Im in the US.

  • Nemo says:

    I liked hearing about how the different perfumers work in very different ways , and how they also work in different perfume “languages.” I would love to be the fly on the wall for those conversations! Rose Poivree is one of my absolute favorite perfumes and I would be so happy to win the bottle. I am in the US, thank you!

  • julesinrose says:

    I really enjoyed this post, particularly Mr. Gabriel’s talk of being in his mother’s perfumery – ” for me it was just as thrilling as entering a pastry shop with unlimited pocket money to spend.”

    I felt that way about scent when I was a kid, and loved going to the department stores in NYC. It must have been around the same time period!

    For no reason that I can think of, The Different Company has simply not been on my radar. OF course I’ve heard of them, though.

    I’d like to see what Duchaufour has done with oud, so my choice is Oud Shamash.

    In the US (still) and liked the Creative Directors Facebook page! Thank you for the wonderful drawing!

  • Masha says:

    That’s fascinating about the “synesthesia” of working with Christine Nagel, I’d have loved to hear those conversations! I live in the US and I’d love to try any of them, but I’m particularly drawn to Nagel’s, and to Sel de Vetiver.

  • karin says:

    I loved reading about the development process between M. Gabriel and the perfumer. It must be so cool to have a language between them that they can both share. Though he didn’t mention it, I’m guessing there are times when he and a perfumer have trouble communicating. I wonder what happens then? Agree to part ways? Or perhaps this isn’t common?

    I am in the U.S., and would love a bottle of the new fragrance, Une Nuit de Magnetique by Christine Nagel. Thank you!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    wow, awesome article and i am really curious which fragrance from Bertand Duchaufour has been finalized but Luc is not ready to release it..the timing of the article is also quite a coincidence because i have rose poivree on the way otherwise i would have chosen it for this draw..my first purchase from the Different Company was Bois D’Iris…i love the Suskind’s novel and the movie based on it so Pure Eve is on my buy it now list…at the moment, Bois d’Iris is my favorite fragrance from the company but Rose Poivree may change it.

    For this draw, i will go for Oud Shamash but at some time in the future, i will buy Nagel’s creation because i believe she may not create another one for the company, due to being totally dedicated to Hermes.. I live in the US.

  • helicalgnome says:

    I was moved by the assertion that perfumers get their whole self involved in the creative process from beginning to end and how that very process is too a negotiation of interests and contradictions until the point where they finally reach for agreement and we get the master piece. I love this! I love the fact that there are movements and tensions and critical stages in the production of a perfume.
    So many options! I think I’d have to say Oud Shamash because I read it is a very balsamic woody fragrance. I reside in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • Ferris Ègoïste says:

    I found this post particularly interesting. I love the fact that Luc Gabriel discovered the world of fragrance at a very young age and that he believes fragrance is a creative and interactive process. I also love his philosophy of great perfumers which is “their whole persona is engaged in the creative process”
    The fragrance I would like to win is Rose Poivree. I’m in the US and thank you so much for this extraordinary draw!
    I also liked Cafluerbon creative directors page on Facebook .

  • Tara says:

    Bergamote souinds like the one I would like to try .I live in the US I
    appreciated this article.It is interesting to hear the stories of companies that become multi-generational. Hard work and emphasis on quality and creating products that maintain your brand image are essential.

  • Quinn says:

    As fickle as my nose is, I have always imagined perfume creation as a fluid charge of ever changing mood and refinement. But it never fails to fascinate me hearing about how different each individual’s creative process varies. Especially the idea of using visual elements as an auxiliary language for feel and creativity. Great post! I am in the US and would love to win Sel de Vetiver. Cheers!

  • Merlin says:

    The following sentence made me laugh:

    ‘We have actually discussed the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance we were working on and we exactly knew what it meant for both of us. ‘

    Absurd, and yet I can totally imagine this happening!

    I live in South Africa and my choice would be Une Nuit de Magnetique. The notes sound scintillating! Thank you:)

  • Damir says:

    As in all the articles in this series, I’m primarily concentrated on differences in collaboration between the creative director and different perfumers. It is always nice to read biographical interesting things like the one about Mr.Gabriel’s introduction to the world of perfumes and then fragrant context. The most important, my full attention and respect go to Luc Gabriel’s open letter in which he warns of the destructiveness that has the possible adoption of the latest proposals of the European Commission, which are the threat to the independent perfumery and to olfactory cultural heritage. As a perfume lover I’m really proud and happy to read such a great letter from TDC Creative Director and owner.

    I’m in the EU. I love Bois D’Iris and Oud for Love. My choice would be Sel de Vétiver. Such a perfect draw. Thanks!

  • Jackie b says:

    It must be very difficult to communicate in words the direction you want your next release to take. I found it interesting that Luc and Christine found a completely new vocabulary for working together. As Luc stated, words and perfume are so abstract and mean different things to diffferent people.
    I am international and would love to win Bergamote.

  • Jennifer B says:

    I loved reading about the collaboration between the perfumer and creative director. That the perfume ultimately created is anchored in the wearer’s history and memory. A great responsibility indeed. Thank you for sharing this story. I’m in the US and I’d love to win Bergamote. (I also liked Ca Fleure Bon’s Creative Director’s page on FB). Thank you!

  • tomate farcie says:

    so interesting how each perfumer works differently with their own vocabularies and idiosyncrasies. I never thought about how difficult the job of the creative director is! my choice is Sel de Vetiver. I’m in the US

  • Gentiana says:

    I liked very much the story of Mr. Luc’s childhood, how he discovered perfumes.
    And how he manages to balance the company’s image (as he says DNA) with the perfumers work and with managing the business.
    He makes things with determination and love and has an intelligent (and flexible) co-operation with different perfumers and creative directors.
    I would like to win the Oud Shamash or Bergamote.
    My favorites at this time from TDC are Oud for Love and Bois d’Iris. Some of the greatest fragrances I ever wore.
    I live in EU, Romania

  • Marcopietro says:

    I appreciated what Mr. Gabriel explains about the different approaches that characterize collaborations with various perfumers. I love almost all the perfumes in the various TdC collections. All the perfumes, although created by different perfumers with their specific sensitivity, are brought back into a single groove full of elegance and grace. I own several of their products and I am curious to discover their latest creation, so my choice is Une Nuit de Magnetique by Christine Nagel.
    I’m in Italy.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Mujo says:

    What certainly is interesting is that perfumers can work as they want to and are used to, they are allowed free creativity within the few boundries that are set by Mr. Gabriel. I think that this freedom is important to ensure a wonderful end result. I was very impressed with Oud for Love, but I didn’t have the opportunity to try Oud Shamash yet. Therefore my choice would be Oud Shamash. I live in the Netherlands.

  • Laurentiu says:

    I found very interesting the starting point in creating a fragrance, that point where language and vocabulary is used to express the feelings and the vision that will be transmitted through the smell. I wonder if there are enough words to say what a fragrance silently “says”!?

    I would love to win Sel de Vetiver. Thank you!

  • Steve A says:

    This quote is mermorable for obvious reasons. —-> “I must admit that I have a fragrance by Bertrand completely finalized but I’m still not ready to launch it…”.
    I would like to win South Bay to wear this summer. usa

  • Yash says:

    Thank you for this great article. The respect Mr Luc Gabriel has for the perfumers shines through this sentence “First, I need to build a common language and vocabulary with the perfumer since all emotions and visions have to be expressed with words.” Symbiosis between the house creative director and the perfumer is very important as the number of talented and diverse perfumers Mr Gabriel has worked with shows how hood he is. Loving these behind curtain articles.
    I live in France and would love to win ´Une Nuit Magnetique ´

  • edith says:

    “launching a fragrance is not trivial. It is a true creative and interactive process, which involves not only the perfumer and the creative director but also every person who discovers, tries and (hopefully) loves this fragrance”
    would like to win Une Nuit Magnetique, i am in europe

  • Cosmina says:

    “I find it interesting how a common feature of all great perfumers is that their whole personae is engaged in the creative process, starting from the choice of material, the techniques used, the interaction with the creative director, the acceptance of comments and sometimes contradictions, and eventually the end of the journey, the moment when everybody agrees that the fragrance is good “as is” and needs no more fine tuning.” I’m in Europe and I would like to win Oud Shamash. Thank you !

  • Andi says:

    I love the discussion about the geometry and color of fragrance. So true. I would love to own Rose Poivree. I am in the USA.

  • wefadetogray says:

    I find interesting the fact that Luc Gabriel has an old memory connection to perfumes and that entering a perfumery was as exciting as entering a pastry shop. I felt the same happiness playing with my mom’s perfumes when I was little too!
    I think Oud Shamash will be my pick.
    I live in the US
    Thanks for the draw!

  • xtopher says:

    This was wonderful to read. I guess the most amazing part of it for me is when Mr. Gabriel says he first needs to find a language with which to speak of a scent, a common vocabulary capable of conveying emotions because there are so many subtleties and details that need to be accounted for; words like square and rectangle are still resonating with me so I’d pick Une Nuit Magnifique. Thanks! I’m in the US.

  • Angie says:

    My favorite The Different Company perfume is Bois d`Iris.

    “There is a fine line to manage there, let the perfumer express his/her view and, from time to time, drive them back on the path you want to follow. You can only adjust gently touch after touch so that the fragrance ends up in a place common to the perfumer and the brand…”
    I would love to win Une Nuit Magnetique.
    Thank you!
    US

  • Fabrice says:

    I liked this quote: “Eventually, the object of our creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients, close to the skin and the heart, anchored in their memories and their history”… I would choose Oud Shamash and am in Belgium…

  • Barbara B says:

    I liked reading about Mr. Gabriel’s discovery of fragrance and comparing it to entering a pastry shop with unlimited pocket money to spend! Have never tried a Different Company fragrance but would like the opportunity to try Sel de Vetiver because Cafleurebon calls it a modern masterpiece and it is outside my wheelhouse, as Tama puts it. I live in the US.

  • Seegher says:

    Very interesting look inside a creative director and interaction with his perfumers
    I was struck by the unique relationship luc develops with each
    It seems Christine nagel spoke his language in a very unique way with synthesia
    I would love une nuit magnetique or rose Poivree
    Usa
    Wonderful article

  • Lean S says:

    I am a US reader. Thank you so much for this chance and another great Creative Directors in Perfumery article. I loved learning about Luc Gabriel’s creative process with perfumers, especially how he and Bertrand Duchaufour like to put great focus into a perfume creation and then let it sit for a couple of months before resuming work on it. It’s very difficult to choose but I think I would really enjoy Sel de Vetiver.

    I am a fan on facebook (Lean Sa)

  • dx says:

    “We have actually discussed the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance we were working on and we exactly knew what it meant for both of us” sounds intriguing.
    i would like to win oud shamash or nuit de magnetique. romania.

  • Multz Carla Melanie says:

    “First, I need to build a common language and vocabulary with the perfumer since all emotions and visions have to be expressed with words” I would choose Oud Shamash. europe

  • Multz Carla Melanie says:

    I need to build a common language and vocabulary with the perfumer since all emotions and visions have to be expressed with words” I would choose Oud Shamash. europe

  • Neagu Constantin says:

    “Being able to comfortably live with uncertainty is also part of the process case” from Romania, would like to win Oud Shamash

  • leathermountain says:

    This fascinates me: ” the vertical or square rendering of the red aspect of a fragrance.” I’m familiar with using color words to describe fragrance, and perhaps with a few spatial terms like high and low or shallow and deep. But this combining of lexical dimensions is something else! I can for the first time imagine having a more-or-less complete communication with another person about a scent.

    I am in the US, a devotee of Sel de Vetiver, and I would love to win
    Oud Shamash. Thank you!

  • Cynthia says:

    I found it interesting to read about the collaboration between the perfumer and the creative director, and how they work together to bring a new perfume into the market. My favorite perfume from this line is the Bois de Iris. I would love to win Sel de Vetiver. I am in the US.

  • johnjd says:

    What a pleasant and informative article. I find it so interesting how each company / person creates. It seems to take suck a long time to achieve perfection. The thorough step by step process seems like a rigorous process. I remember myself smelling and smelling to make perfume scented memories as well. I still do smell everything to this day. The Different Company has some of the most excellent fragrances I have encountered. Thank you for such a wonderful job on the article. Great insight of such a wonderful perfumer and creative designer.
    I am in the USA and I believe I would greatly enjoy South Bay and the grapefruit note that is in it. Sounds like a smash hit for summer.

  • RVB says:

    I enjoyed Luc’s stories from his childhood especially experiencing the perfumes in his Mother’s perfumery.Those must be some great scent memories and I can see how they translate into the quality and imagination in The Different Company’s perfumes.I live in the US and would love to win Oud Shamash.As I own many of the Different Company’s scents and adore them all it’s difficult to pick a favorite.However now that it’s Spring I am reaching often for Aurore Nomade,my absolute favorite Tropical scent.Thanks for the awesome draw!

  • amy m. says:

    Luc sees the process as involving all parties – the nose, the creative director, and the wearers as well. Knowing that a perfume may become an integral part of the wearer’s memories and experiences, he feels that he and his company bear great responsibility and should remain humble. Wow – now that is a cool thing.

    I have Bois d’Iris (and even a back up) because it’s one of the most beautiful Iris’ I have found. I live in the U.S. I would love to win Rose Poivree! Thanks…

  • London says:

    I was interested to hear that he has another Duchaufour to release. My favourite is Oriental Lounge but i also love Bergamote and Jasmin de Nuit. I would love to win Nuit Magnetique. I am in the U K

  • GregoryS says:

    Move may be the wrong word, however, I understand entirely when he speaks of the communication between himself and the perfumer creating the fragrance, as a tool & diemaker who has worked with engineers a plenty in my life, communicating and language to interpret ones desires for a perfect outcome is critical. Being a man, I am limited in my selections to those I would wear, Would love to try either Sel de Vetiver, Oud Shamash, South Bay or Une Nuit de Magnetique. However leaning towards South Bay bc it seems like a summery scent, but all have received rave reviews and would be worth trying. Thank you for the opportunity to expand my cologne knowledge of new companies. I live in Ohio, USA.

  • Oncho says:

    ” I do brief the perfumers but they are not given a complete “carte blanche”. There is a fine line to manage there, let the perfumer express his/her view and, from time to time, drive them back on the path you want to follow.”
    This was interesting for me. Something complete different than what we know from Frederic Malle’s brand.

    I would go for Oud Shamash – a scent i really love, but have been unable to buy so far 🙁

    I live in Germany!

  • Liz K says:

    It had not occurred to me how difficult it would be to work with a perfumer towards your own vision of a fragrance. The idea of a specialized language with each artist and each perfume is genius. I am in the US and have liked the FB page. I would be interested in the forthcoming Une Nuit Magnétique. Thank you.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I respect Mr. Gabriel’s feeling of “…Eventually, the object of our creation will be part of the most intimate moments of our clients, close to the skin and the heart, anchored in their memories and their history.” I was also intrigued by the idea of color and shapes of scents. I live in the US and would like to try Oud Shamash.
    Facebook follower

  • Holly F. says:

    I really enjoyed reading this and was moved by Luc Gabriel’s description of how he built his “library of fragrance memories.” That is such a poetic way of putting it, and I like to think of collecting scents as memories as we move through life, too. I also loved how he connected with Christine Nagel, how they came to be on the same page so to speak and had a similar language of describing fragrance in common. I have liked Cafleurebon on Facebook and I live in the U.S. Oud Shamash would be my choice. Thanks for the draw!

  • Igor Kipnis says:

    Whenever I meet perfumers at fragrance launches/events I always ask them at what point do they feel the fragrance is complete. Each one has its preference and vision that they feel is completed. This article is interesting because I always thought it was the perfumer that decides if the fragrance is final or not, but its very interesting that the fragrance also fits into the house. That makes a lot of sense because as a consumer, I am looking for that signature feel that you pick up, even with different notes and scents. This delicate fine balance amazes me at how they can achieve it.

    I am interested in Oud Shamash as my choice.

    USA

  • Ginny M says:

    “Being able to comfortably live with uncertainty is also part of the process…” Oh, how very, very true, and how presently applicable to my own life! I would feel very lucky, indeed, to win Oud Shamash, as Monsieur Duchaufour is my secret (or not-so-secret) fragrance boyfriend. I live in the US.

  • Omer m says:

    I agree that making perfume is definetly a thought provoking experience and everyone involved in the project has to be on board to finalize the result. It must be a great struggle to convince them to sell your creation or go back to it to fine tunning it until they agree. I would choose Oud Shamash.
    USA thanks