Artistic Pursuits: A Beauty Conversation with Master Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian

MEGA sits down with master perfumer and artistic director Francis Kurkdjian to discover his latest endeavor

This is an excerpt from December 2024 – January 2025 beauty feature

For fragrance enthusiasts, the name Francis Kurkdjian represents more than sophisticated scents, but also their attention to detail, high quality ingredients and innovation. The brand re- imagines traditional techniques and processes and infuses them with modern touches to create unforgettable fragrances that are classic and contemporary at the same time.

_{Francis Kurkdjian has crafted over 40 household fragrances for some of the world’s most prestigious brand}

Founded in 2009, the maison is considered as one of the best in the world. Its artistic director, Francis Kurkdjian has crafted over 40 household fragrances for some of the world’s most prestigious brands. In the Philippines, it was launched a decade ago, and since then has garnered a cult following that continues to grow. Who could forget iconic olfactory sensations such as Baccarat Rogue 540, Gentle Fluidity and Petit Matin to name a few? Needless to say, the label has made an impact because of its purity, sophistication, timeless appeal and reimagined classicism.

^{Jeux de Mains showcased the dynamic dialogue between the Chinese master craftsmen and those of Comité Colbert}

In its latest endeavor, the brand set its sights on Shanghai, China, for a collaboration to celebrate the diplomatic ties between France and China by way of two exhibitions: Comité Colbert, an institution that builds initiatives to educate individuals on the art of luxury goods, craftsmanship, to the specification of luxury; and the Westbund Art Fair. Marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Comité Colbert held an exhibition called “Jeux de Mains” which showcased the dynamic dialogue between the Chinese master craftsmen and those of Comité Colbert. Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s exhibition featured the French way of crafting fragrances alongside the art of China’s incense making.

^{In an exclusive interview, co-founder Mark Chaya tells MEGA that the brand is not marketing driven, but creative driven}

When asked about the brand’s decision to take part in these two initiatives, Kurkdjian shared, “The reason why we participate is two things. First, it’s a way for us to show our specificities. It’s a way to show craftmanship as a core of our maison, truly, as Mark Chaya, our co-founder says: we are not marketing driven, but creative driven. So we also show that the essence of the maison is creativity. It’s the craft. This is for the creative. And as for the art installation in Westbund—I have been doing art installations even before the maison, because my very first collaboration goes back to 2004. I’ve been doing that for 20 years, so it is almost going back to where I’m from, in a way. So it’s natural.”

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Read more about Francis Kurkdjian’s latest endeavor in MEGA’s December 2024 – January 2025 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.

The post Artistic Pursuits: A Beauty Conversation with Master Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian appeared first on MEGA.

Artistic Pursuits: A Beauty Conversation with Master Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian
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