Pierre-Constantin Guéros: Master of Oriental Complexity

Pierre-Constantin Guéros discovered his calling through the scented memories of his father's fashion atelier in Paris's 17th arrondissement. The rich aromas of leather, fur, and polished wood from his father's workshop for great couturiers became his first olfactory inspiration. This early exposure to luxurious materials would later define his signature approach to fragrance creation.

After studying chemistry and biology, Guéros found his true path at ISIPCA in Versailles. The prestigious perfumery school revealed how he could blend his scientific mind with creative passion. He honed his skills at respected houses like Synarome and Drom before officially becoming a perfumer in 2003.

His international career took him from Munich to New York City, Dubai, and back to Paris. Each location shaped his understanding of scent and culture. In 2012, he joined Symrise and inaugurated their Dubai fragrance creation center in 2015. This Middle Eastern experience proved transformative, immersing him in opulent olfactory traditions that demanded powerful sillage and exceptional longevity.

Symrise recognized his exceptional talent by appointing him Senior Perfumer in December 2019. His work spans prestigious brands including Carolina Herrera, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, and Initio Parfums Privés. Guéros believes no harmony between contrasting materials is impossible, working tirelessly until they function together in perfect balance.

Guéros crafts fragrances with assertive yet refined character, focusing on texture, complexity, and emotional storytelling. His Dubai years influenced his creation of "statutory" perfumes where natural notes hold paramount importance. He masterfully balances contrasting materials, finding harmony between seemingly opposing elements through careful overdosing and technical precision.

His preferred palette includes sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vetiver, leather, and patchouli. Lavender holds special significance for him as the perfect smell, combining floral, aromatic, earthy, woody, and powdery facets in one ingredient. This appreciation for multi-faceted materials reflects throughout his compositions.

Zafar exemplifies his mastery of oriental complexity. This tribute to incense heritage opens with bright bergamot and spicy pink pepper, developing into a rich floral heart of orange blossom and jasmine supported by warm cinnamon and sacred frankincense. The base reveals luxurious oud, amber, and musk complemented by sweet vanilla and tonka bean touches.

His creative process draws from personal experiences, travels, and simple life moments - a snowy day, desert silence, or morning coffee in Beirut. As an avid cook, he finds parallels between fragrance and cuisine in pursuing balance and harmony. Working on multiple international projects simultaneously, he views fragrance as a language empowering people to shape their inner worlds.