Nose
Also known as: Nez, Perfumer
A nickname for a perfumer: someone who composes fragrances by selecting, combining and adjusting scent materials.
A nose, or nez in French, is a perfumer. The work involves composing formulas and assessing how materials smell together, then revising trials to develop a fragrance. It combines knowledge of ingredients with repeated evaluation.
Professional training can include material recognition, formulation and work with mentors. Givaudan’s account of its 2023 graduates describes a four-year school curriculum. IFF and ISIPCA also run a Scent Design and Creation programme. These are examples of training routes, rather than one required timetable for every perfumer.
Look for perfumer credits if you want to explore the creator of a fragrance you enjoy. Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s biography, for example, identifies Francis Kurkdjian as the creator of Jean Paul Gaultier’s original Le Mâle, alongside his work for his own house. A perfumer’s portfolio can cross brand categories and include very different compositions.