PASCAL GAURIN
Pascal Gaurin, a renowned French perfumer and VP Senior Perfumer at IFF, has made an indelible mark on the world of fragrance. 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 to an illustrious career.
As a child, Pascal Gaurin was captivated by his surroundings, smelling everything from foods and plants to furniture and earth. His fascination with craftsmanship was a way to connect with his great-grandfather, a sculptor of bronze. At 15, he met a tailor who instilled in him a taste for beautiful materials and a passion for detail. However, it wasn't until much later, when he read an article on the perfume industry in Vogue, that he truly became interested in a nose career.
During his preparation for HEC, an interview with Jacques Polge describing the course of his career served as a revelation. Gaurin decided that his single obsession would be to create perfume. He began his journey by studying at the prestigious ISIPCA in France. A year after completing his perfumery studies, he was recruited by IFF, a global leader in creating scents and tastes.
Gaurin's early career with IFF took him around 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 Asiatic customs and olfactive tastes. In 1997, Gaurin moved to his dream city, New York, where he would continue to develop his illustrious career.
Since joining IFF, Pascal Gaurin has risen through the ranks to become a VP Senior Perfumer. He has signed scents for an impressive array 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, like resins and deep woods. He draws inspiration from his grandparents' home in Creuse, France, where the dark forests evoke a sense of mystery and enchantment. Gaurin enjoys working with "frontal materials" that require a sculptor's touch to be tamed, such as cistus labdanum, patchouli, and Cashmeran®.
Gaurin's approach to perfume creation is deeply influenced by film and music. A fan of directors like Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, and Ridley Scott, he watches dozens of weekly films to disconnect 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 conceptualizes a perfume brief in musical terms before delving into the olfactive elements of his creations.
