Cécile Zarokian: Independent Perfumer Redefining Niche Fragrance

Cécile Zarokian's path to becoming one of the most influential voices in contemporary perfumery began with an unexpected turn. Originally studying medicine and biochemistry with dreams of pediatrics, her destiny shifted when she discovered ISIPCA, the prestigious perfumery school in Versailles. This bold career change led her to train for four years at Robertet under mentors Michel Almairac and Jacques Flori, where she created her breakthrough fragrance Amouage Epic Woman while still a trainee in 2009.

The success of Epic Woman marked the beginning of an extraordinary career. In 2011, Zarokian took the audacious step of founding her own company, Cécile Zarokian SARL, establishing her laboratory in Paris as an independent perfumer. This move allowed her unprecedented creative freedom and the ability to work directly with brands, competing successfully with larger fragrance houses. Her Armenian heritage and intuitive approach to perfumery have shaped her distinctive style, which she describes as capturing authenticity and infusing emotion into every creation.

Zarokian's artistic vision centers on perfumery as a medium to evoke emotions, feelings, and memories. She approaches each project with deep sensitivity to the brand's identity, translating visual concepts and mood boards into olfactory masterpieces. Her ability to "smell it in her brain" and create fragrances that are both artistically revered and commercially successful has established her as a true innovator in the field.

Zarokian's portfolio reads like a who's who of niche perfumery excellence. Her collaboration with Nishane produced the iconic Ani, a vanilla-forward masterpiece that became a global bestseller and led to the creation of Ani X. Her work with Jovoy Paris includes the smoky, leathery Private Label and the chai-inspired Remember Me, both showcasing her versatility across different olfactory families.

Her partnership with Parfums MDCI has yielded sophisticated compositions like Cio Cio San, inspired by Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and the spice-laden Les Indes Galantes. For Electimuss, she crafted Vanilla Edesia, a complex vanilla that reveals both light and dark facets of this beloved note. Her work with Aura Perfume includes the boozy, incense-heavy A.E.O.M. and the citrus-vanilla elegance of Sublime.

Named Perfumer of the Year by Olfactorama magazine in 2018, Zarokian has received numerous awards including the Fragrance Foundation Award USA 2023 for Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco. Her fragrances consistently achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success, with many becoming signature scents for their respective brands. Today, leading a team of seven from her Paris studio, Zarokian continues to push boundaries while offering consultancy services and conducting masterclasses worldwide, cementing her legacy as a perfumer who truly understands the art of creating unforgettable olfactory experiences.