Douglas Morel: French Perfumer Bridging Culinary Arts & Fragrance

Douglas Morel represents a new generation of French perfumers who bring fresh perspectives to niche fragrance creation. Born in northern France, Morel's path to perfumery began with an unexpected passion for culinary arts. His early fascination with kitchen aromas and spices laid the foundation for his approach to scent composition, where he treats fragrance notes like ingredients in a carefully crafted recipe.

His pivotal moment came during childhood travels through Damascus bazaars, where the intoxicating blend of cinnamon, cumin, and freshly ground cardamom created an olfactory memory that continues to influence his work today. This early exposure to exotic spices, combined with formative experiences smelling cedarwood in Marrakech and orange blossom in Florence, shaped his understanding of how scent can transport and transform.

After studying at the prestigious ISIPCA in France, Morel honed his skills through apprenticeships at renowned fragrance houses including Takasago, Robertet, and Mane. His mentorship under Francis Kurkdjian proved particularly influential, teaching him the art of creating perfectly balanced compositions with premium raw materials. This foundation in both technical precision and artistic vision defines his current approach to fragrance creation.

Morel's portfolio spans multiple respected niche brands, showcasing his versatility across different olfactory families. His work with Moresque includes Byron, a sophisticated oriental woody fragrance that demonstrates his skill with spice-forward compositions, and Scarlet Rouge, which explores the intersection of floral and gourmand territories with its cherry blossom and vanilla base.

His collaboration with Cristian Calabrò for Reinvented has produced notable fragrances like Eureka, which combines coffee and spice elements in an unexpected way, and Illusion, showcasing his ability to balance sweetness with sophisticated woody undertones. These creations reflect his philosophy of harmonizing emotion with technical precision, creating scents that tell stories while maintaining excellent performance.

For The House of Oud, Morel created Bonbon Pop, a gourmand fragrance that exemplifies his talent for crafting approachable yet complex compositions. His work consistently demonstrates an understanding of how synthetic and natural materials can work together to create broader olfactory palettes, allowing him to recreate impossible-to-extract scents like fresh fruits while maintaining authenticity.

Currently based in Amsterdam, Morel continues to push boundaries in niche perfumery, drawing inspiration from art, cinema, and his extensive travels. His approach balances curiosity with craftsmanship, creating fragrances that resonate emotionally while showcasing technical excellence.