Julien Rasquinet: Master of Narrative Perfumery

Julien Rasquinet's path to becoming one of contemporary perfumery's most respected noses began with an unexpected encounter. After graduating from business school with no plans for a fragrance career, Rasquinet's life changed when master perfumer Pierre Bourdon recognized his potential and offered mentorship. This serendipitous meeting launched an intensive three-year training program that would shape Rasquinet's distinctive approach to scent creation.

His early olfactory memories from Normandy - cut grass, forest air, and ripe apples - combined with coastal experiences in Knokke-le-Zoute, provided the foundation for his sensory vocabulary. These childhood impressions, along with his background in visual arts including painting and costume design, inform his narrative approach to perfumery. Rasquinet began collecting fragrances at age 14, developing the passion that would eventually define his career.

After his mentorship with Bourdon, Rasquinet worked independently for four years before joining Creed from 2010 to 2014, where he created the bestselling Royal Oud. His subsequent move to International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Dubai proved transformative, immersing him in Oriental perfumery traditions that would profoundly influence his creative style. This experience taught him to embrace bold dosing and rich, opulent compositions that tell compelling stories through scent.

Rasquinet's philosophy centers on narrative perfumery - creating fragrances that evoke emotions and tell stories rather than simply smelling pleasant. His work spans an impressive range of prestigious brands, from Amouage and Frederic Malle to Nishane and Van Cleef & Arpels. Notable creations include Aquila Absolute for Electimuss, which showcases his ability to blend contemporary oud with bright raspberry and cardamom, and the smoky masterpiece Bois d'Ascese for Naomi Goodsir.

His collaboration with Naomi Goodsir has produced some of his most acclaimed works, including Cuir Velours and Iris Cendré, each exploring dualities between light and dark, clear and obscure. For Nishane, he reimagined classics with Hacivat X and Wūlóng Chá X, demonstrating his versatility across different fragrance families.

Rasquinet's creative process draws inspiration from encounters with people, cultures, landscapes, and literature. He often wakes with new ideas, immediately translating olfactory memories into compositions. His belief that scent memory is our strongest sense drives his approach - creating fragrances that cause immediate emotional responses. Since joining CPL Aromas in 2023, he continues to leverage his dual Western and Oriental expertise while exploring sustainable innovations like Ecoboost technology, ensuring his artistic legacy evolves with contemporary values.