One of the most acclaimed perfumers of his generation, Francis Kurkdjian was just 24 years old when he created global bestseller Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Mâle. His many other successes include the multi-award-winning Elie Saab Le Parfum, Iris Nobile for Acqua di Parma, Green Tea for Elizabeth Arden, L’extase for Nina Ricci, My Burberry for Burberry, and Lanvin Rumeur. Now regarded as one of the best “noses” in the, he has also collaborated with Armani, Guerlain, Lanvin, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, and became creative director for perfume by Dior in 2021. The fragrance king has also built one of the most fascinating perfume houses on the planet: Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Under his own label, he has expressed his unlimited creativity through his collection of more than two dozen high quality fragrances.
Born in Paris with Armenian heritage, Kurkdjian first became interested in becoming a perfumer when he discovered the content of his sister’s collection of sample bottles at the age of 13. He went on to train at the prestigious Paris perfume school ISIPCA, and composed his first perfume – the game-changing, best-selling Le Mâle by Jean Paul Gaultier – when he was just 24. Rather than relying on his promising start, he continued following his visionary outlook to set up his tailor-made perfume workshop in 2001. Named a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2008 at the age of 30, he continues to stand out from the crowd in the world of luxury fragrance.
