Jorge Lee: Colombian Master Behind Nishane's Iconic Scents

Jorge Lee's path to becoming one of the most respected names in niche perfumery began in an unexpected place - his grandmother's kitchen in Bogota, Colombia. Born and raised in the Colombian capital, Lee's early fascination with aromas came from watching his grandmother prepare desserts and use herbs and spices in her cooking. This childhood exposure to diverse scents, combined with his naturally keen sense of smell, would later prove instrumental in shaping his career as a perfumer.

After studying economics at Universidad de Los Andes and briefly working at a Dutch bank, Lee's life took a dramatic turn when a headhunter approached him for a marketing role at Quest International in 1995. What started as a sales assistant position quickly evolved when his talent for evaluation was recognized, leading to formal perfumery training across the United States, England, and France. By 2002, he had officially become a perfumer, marking the beginning of a career that would span over two decades.

Lee's professional journey took him through prestigious fragrance houses including Quest International and Givaudan France, where he honed his skills creating fragrances for major consumer brands like Axe, Bebe, and Avon. Since 2013, he has served as Senior Chief Perfumer at MG International Fragrance Company in Turkey, where his Colombian heritage meets Turkish craftsmanship. This unique cultural blend has allowed him to introduce innovative notes to the perfumery palette, including exotic Colombian fruits like granadilla passion fruit, yuca root, and dragon fruit.

Lee's artistic vision is best exemplified through his extensive collaboration with Turkish niche brand Nishane, where he has created some of the house's most celebrated fragrances. His masterpiece Hacivat showcases his ability to balance bright pineapple and citrus with sophisticated oakmoss and woody notes, creating a modern chypre that has achieved iconic status. The fragrance demonstrates his philosophy of combining traditional structures with innovative twists, resulting in compositions that feel both timeless and contemporary.

His versatility shines through in creations like Wūlóng Chá, where he crafts one of the market's strongest fresh scents by blending citrus notes with the calming essence of oolong tea. This spa-like composition reveals his talent for creating olfactory experiences that transport wearers to specific moods and places. Similarly, Karagoz displays his darker, more mysterious side with its bold grape and pineapple opening that evolves into a complex woody-oud composition.

Lee describes himself as mystical, elegant, and versatile - qualities that permeate his work. His particular affinity for Turkish ingredients like Isparta rose and mastic, combined with his Colombian roots, creates a unique signature that bridges cultures and traditions. He approaches woody notes with particular care, understanding their power to either enhance or overwhelm a composition. This thoughtful approach, combined with his ability to push boundaries while respecting classical perfumery principles, has established him as a master craftsman whose creations consistently deliver exceptional performance and lasting appeal.