Mathilde Bijaoui: Master of Gourmand Innovation

Mathilde Bijaoui's journey into perfumery began in the vibrant markets of Paris, where her music producer father introduced her to the world of aromas through cooking and spices. This early exposure to scents, combined with her dual North African and French heritage, shaped her unique creative perspective that would later revolutionize modern perfumery.

At thirteen, a pivotal visit to the Osmothèque in Versailles revealed that creating perfumes was an actual profession. This epiphany led her to pursue chemistry studies before entering ISIPCA, where she trained under industry legends like Catherine Bru and Antoine Lie at IFF. These formative experiences taught her essential techniques like isolating key accords, skills that would become fundamental to her creative process.

In 2004, Bijaoui joined MANE, initially working in Bar-sur-Loup near Grasse before moving to their Paris creative studio. Her career trajectory took her from the French countryside to New York in 2022, where she continues to push olfactory boundaries. Her approach to perfumery is deeply personal - she experiences fragrances in color and draws inspiration from food, art, and cultural experiences.

Bijaoui's signature style combines sharp precision with pure creativity. She views perfumery as a language where composition translates artistic vision into scent. Her work with MANE's innovative Jungle Essence™ technology allows her to extract novel scents from ingredients like fig and caviar, contributing to new olfactory families that blur the lines between sweet and savory.

Bijaoui's portfolio spans prestigious niche and designer brands, from Etat Libre d'Orange to Jo Malone London, Giorgio Armani to BDK Parfums. Her collaboration with Tilda Swinton on "Like This" exemplifies her ability to translate artistic vision into scent, winning the Specialists Prize at the FiFi Awards in 2011. The fragrance emerged from the color orange as inspiration, demonstrating her synesthetic approach to creation.

Frustration showcases Bijaoui's mastery of gourmand complexity. This spicy-woody composition opens with warm cinnamon and rich rum, evolving into a luxurious vanilla heart before settling into sophisticated vetiver and chestnut wood. The fragrance embodies her philosophy of creating "elixirs of joy" that capture childhood memories while maintaining adult sophistication.

Her work with Jo Malone London's "Myrrh & Tonka" and BDK Parfums' "Gris Charnel" series demonstrates her versatility across different olfactory families. These creations balance accessibility with innovation, making complex compositions approachable without sacrificing artistic integrity.

Beyond commercial success, Bijaoui contributes to fragrance education and wellness. She conducts olfactory workshops for cancer patients, believing in scent's power to reconnect with well-being. This humanitarian aspect reflects her generous personality and commitment to perfumery's emotional impact.

Her influence extends to mentoring the next generation of perfumers at MANE, where collaborative creativity flourishes. Bijaoui continues to explore new territories in modern perfumery, utilizing cutting-edge extraction techniques while honoring traditional craftsmanship, ensuring her legacy as an innovator who changed the olfactory landscape.