Michèle Saramito: Master of Fresh Scents and Amber Artistry

Michèle Saramito represents the finest tradition of French perfumery, born in Cannes to a family of perfumers whose roots in Grasse stretch back before the French Revolution. This deep heritage provided the foundation for what would become a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades at Robertet, where she joined as a perfumer's assistant in 1976 and rose to become one of their most respected senior perfumers.

Trained at Robertet's internal perfumery school, Saramito discovered her calling through hands-on experience with natural ingredients. Her artistic background as a painter and drawer profoundly influences her approach to fragrance creation, treating each composition like a canvas where scents blend to tell compelling stories. This artistic sensibility, combined with technical mastery, defines her unique position in contemporary perfumery.

Her breakthrough came in 1986 with Ptisenbon for Tartine et Chocolat, pioneering the children's fragrance category and establishing her preference for fresh compositions. This early success revealed her talent for creating accessible yet sophisticated scents that resonate across different demographics. Her childhood experiences in both the South of France and the West Indies continue to inspire her work, particularly her fondness for warm vanilla notes and Provençal freshness.

Saramito's creative philosophy centers on emotion and storytelling. She believes exceptional perfumes must provoke feelings and create lasting memories, approaching each project with the question of what story the fragrance should tell. Her preferred palette includes fresh citrusy headnotes, particularly bergamot, elegant jasmine, and sensual patchouli, often woven together with her signature warm vanilla accords.

Her versatility shines through diverse creations for prestigious houses including Amouage, Parfums de Marly, and Jovoy Paris. Ambre Premier for Jovoy exemplifies her mastery of oriental compositions, opening with candied orange and spices before revealing a rich amber heart supported by rose, vanilla, and patchouli. This fragrance demonstrates her ability to balance sweetness with complexity, creating compositions that evolve beautifully on the skin.

Beyond her own creations, Saramito has significantly impacted the industry through mentorship. She guided perfumers like Mathieu Nardin, her godson, and Fabrice Pellegrin, while also recognizing and nurturing emerging talent like Quentin Bisch early in his career. Her willingness to experiment with unconventional pairings and push traditional boundaries has influenced a generation of perfumers, ensuring her artistic vision continues to shape modern fragrance creation.