Ernesto Sanchez Bujanda: Engineering Precision Meets Artistic Vision

Ernesto Sanchez Bujanda's path to perfumery began far from the traditional routes of Grasse or ISIPCA. Born in Venezuela and educated as an Industrial Engineer in the United States, Bujanda discovered that his mathematical background aligned perfectly with the precise art of fragrance creation. His early fascination with scent began at age ten with Jean Marie Farina by Roger & Gallet, while his mother's exclusive use of Diorissimo by Dior provided his foundation in classic perfumery.

After moving to New York City at 21 with aspirations of becoming a makeup artist, Bujanda immersed himself in the high-end beauty, fashion, and fragrance industries. This experience proved invaluable when he relocated to Miami Beach in 2005, where he opened a specialized perfumery focusing on hard-to-find European niche lines. This venture allowed him to study hundreds of fragrances and understand the evolving niche market from both business and artistic perspectives.

Inspired by his life partner Ryan York, Bujanda took the leap into creation, initially launching YeYe Fragrances in 2007 with home fragrances before expanding to personal fragrances in 2015. Co-founding YeYe Parfums with York in Santa Barbara, California, Bujanda established an independent artisanal house that handcrafts every fragrance from conception to bottling, emphasizing quality raw materials and non-gender-specific compositions.

Bujanda's engineering discipline, combined with influences from philosophy and prose, creates a unique approach to perfumery that balances technical precision with artistic expression. His fragrances reflect the natural beauty of Santa Barbara's "American Riviera," drawing inspiration from the eternal spring-like environment and majestic landscapes. Equus N°8, inspired by a horseback ride through Hawaii's Big Island Mountains, showcases his ability to translate powerful experiences into complex woody-spicy compositions featuring prominent clove, saffron, and smoky campfire accords.

His versatility shines through diverse creations like Sentiers de Comètes, a floral-oriental composition that traces a luminous path like a comet with its blend of citrus, white flowers, and sensual ambergris-musk base. Golden Aura demonstrates his mastery of woody-floral compositions, combining Italian bergamot with creamy osmanthus and precious Mysore sandalwood. The minimalist Y.O.R.K. N°7 proves his ability to create sophisticated everyday fragrances that balance fresh grapefruit and mint with powdery iris and modern Iso E Super.

Bujanda's commitment to quality extends to sourcing the finest raw materials globally, from Madagascar vanilla to specific regional specialties. His philosophy of blending European and American traditions while maintaining artisanal craftsmanship positions YeYe Parfums as a distinctive voice in the American independent fragrance scene, creating what he describes as "timeless, classic, and enigmatic" compositions.