Amandine Clerc-Marie: Master of Modern French Perfumery

Born in Grasse, the heart of French perfumery, Amandine Clerc-Marie's path to becoming a master perfumer was written in her DNA. Her mother's work in the fragrance industry provided early exposure to this artistic craft, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career.

Her formal education at ISIPCA in Versailles proved transformative. During her apprenticeship, she experienced a pivotal moment when her "sense of taste suddenly came to life" while learning about raw materials. This awakening led to her thesis on modernizing the leather note in Hermès' Bel Ami, where she first encountered the legendary Michel Almairac.

Working alongside Almairac for over a decade shaped her artistic vision. He taught her to work with short formulas using only essential raw materials, never to fear her ideas, and to overdose one or two notes at the beginning of compositions to create a strong olfactory statement. This mentorship culminated in their collaboration on Chloé EDP in 2008, which instantly became a modern classic.

In 2011, Clerc-Marie joined Firmenich (now dsm-firmenich), where she advanced to Principal Perfumer. There, she worked with master perfumers Alberto Morillas, Olivier Cresp, and Honorine Blanc, further refining her craft. Her visual approach to perfumery sets her apart - she sculpts the invisible, working with volumes of scent like an architect building emotional foundations.

Clerc-Marie's creative process begins with raw materials and a desire to convey strong olfactory messages. She often starts with one or two materials to create a core accord that serves as the fragrance's signature. This approach is evident in Péché Cardinal, where she masterfully balances realistic peach with creamy tuberose and subtle coconut undertones.

Her expertise with vanilla has become legendary. For Burberry Goddess, she used three distinct vanilla extractions to create an entirely new olfactory experience. She considers rose the "queen of perfumery" for its multifaceted nature, though her portfolio spans diverse olfactory families from fresh florals to rich orientals.

Travel and visual inspiration fuel her creativity. Journeys to Brazil, Thailand, Croatia, and Morocco with her family provide cultural context that she translates into scent. Her earliest olfactory memories from her grandfather's Normandy home - grass, crumpled leaves, wet air, and ripe apples - continue to influence her work.

Notable creations include Lancôme La Nuit Trésor, Mugler Aura, and Valentino Voce Viva, each demonstrating her ability to create fragrances that are both elegant and thoroughly modern. Her work spans prestigious houses including Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Givenchy, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent, establishing her as one of the most sought-after perfumers of her generation.