About
A Parfumeur Not Quite Like the Rest
I, Adrien Pajot, am not your typical perfumer. Though I grew up in Paris in the heart of St-Germain-des-Prés like other famous perfumers (notably Frédéric Malle); though I have trained in established perfumery institutions like all other perfumers; I am still not your typical perfumer.
That is because I am 18 years old. The age, however, isn’t the only reason I say this: my approach is different because it seeks to predict the trends of perfumery and to innovate in accordance with this.
Not a single one of my perfumes is gendered. I see unisex fragrances as the future for a collection of reasons, which is why this brand has stepped away from typical men’s and women’s distinction: it seems ridiculous that a scent profile should “belong” to one category when so many women wear men’s perfumes and vice versa.
Background
I come from a traditional French family, one that moved away from Paris to London when I was still a child. Back then, I barely had a notion of what perfume was.
Now, perfume is a way to express myself. It is a medium through which I can communicate repressed thoughts and feelings, a medium that shares its French origins with me.
Having been separated from the luxury houses of Paris for nearly a decade, my perfumery house brings me closer to a French culture that I miss for its appreciation of art and beauty.
I started training in perfumery seriously two years ago. Ever since, every morning, when it is possible, I bring out a few of my raw materials, dip a scent strip in them and smell them carefully.
Using this training, I have been able to develop the Fall & Winter 2022 collection that you can learn about here. This collection combines everything I have learned and is by far my best.
Experience
After the collection was ready, I decided to pursue professional training for my perfumery endeavours. I attended school at ISIPCA, a renowned institute for perfumery education based in Paris. The four-week training focused on fragrance composition and formulation, as well as marketing, packaging and business strategy of perfumery houses.
This was pivotal in developing an efficient method to create perfumes that lasted longer (and arguably smelled even better). I continue to use this method to this day in my endeavours.
My perfumery efforts have since been rewarded: I was awarded Vetiverio’s Young Parfumeur Prize in 2022 as one of only 3 winners. This accomplishment is incredibly meaningful and motivating, and I thank the panel at Vetiverio for allowing me to participate and for granting me this honour.
Social Responsibility
In April of last year, I went to Peru in order to help the local population to build and renovate primary schools. I am incredibly fortunate to be where I am today, and I know how much even a few dollars can do over there to significantly better the lives of young Peruvian children.
As such, we donate half of our earnings to Many Hopes (Peru), which seeks to rescue young girls victims of sexual abuse and educate them so that they may enact systemic change.
It is a message that I wholly support, and will continue to support for a long time given the connection I now have with the Peruvian community.
I encourage you all to do the same: imagine if $10 from your pocket could prevent a young girl from years of sexual abuse and incidents of rape. Your $10 can change entirely change a life. If you want to donate, please go to the Many Hopes Peru site.