Thierry Wasser

Thierry Wasser is a contemporary perfumer known for his role as the in-house perfumer for Guerlain, a position he was appointed to in 2008. This appointment made him the fifth perfumer in Guerlain’s history and the first from outside the founding family. Prior to joining Guerlain, Wasser gained significant experience at prominent fragrance firms such as Firmenich and Givaudan. His career began after he attained a Federal Diploma of Botany, which provided him with a foundational understanding of natural materials. He then attended the Givaudan perfumery school, quickly progressing to the role of perfumer by the age of twenty-four following a period of intensive apprenticeship. In 1993, he moved to Firmenich, where he collaborated with perfumers like Annick Ménardo on numerous fragrances.

At Guerlain, Wasser has taken on a comprehensive role, managing the entire fragrance creation process from the initial sourcing of raw ingredients to the final bottling of the perfumes. He has continued the tradition of direct engagement with ingredient producers, traveling several months each year to locations such as Calabria for bergamot, Tunisia for orange blossom, Bulgaria and Grasse for roses, and Madagascar for vanilla. This hands-on approach ensures the quality and sustainability of the raw materials used in Guerlain’s creations. His dedication to sustainability led to the establishment of a sandalwood plantation in northwest Australia, allowing for the continued use of this endangered ingredient in new fragrances.

Wasser’s work at Guerlain includes updating emblematic creations and developing new fragrances, such as the L’Art & La Matière collection, Aqua Allegoria series, and Les Absolus d’Orient. He has been responsible for notable perfumes including Idylle, La Petite Robe Noire, and L’Homme Ideal. His creative process often involves drawing parallels between fragrance and other art forms, such as music and painting, using these as inspirations for the texture and narrative of his scents. Wasser emphasizes the importance of balancing traditional Guerlain elements, like the “Guerlinade,” with contemporary artistic expression.