7 Successful Perfume Brands Led by Women
7 Successful Perfume Brands Led by Women
The myth of perfumery being a man’s domain has been successfully debunked in recent years. Several women entrepreneurs and perfumers have bravely pursued their dreams and obliterated all the obstacles in their paths, making the industry more favorable towards female contributions. You may be also interested in: The 8 Most Famous Female Perfumers of All Time On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we are here to celebrate 7 women who have become household names for fragrance enthusiasts. As leaders of world-renowned perfume brands, they are inspirational figures who deserve immense respect.
Dusita
Pissara ‘Ploi’ Umavijani established Parfums Dusita in 2016, bringing her long-standing dream of opening her very own fragrance house to fruition. Each of her creations pays an olfactory tribute to the poetry of her father, the late Montri Umavijani. Firm in the belief that perfumery and poetry are precious means of forming connections and uplifting oneself, Pissara wants Dusita fragrances to evoke paradisiacal joy and peace of mind. She describes her perfume creation process as follows:“I aim to create radiantly beautiful, unforgettable fragrances that showcase supreme-quality raw materials. Perfumes with a true and profound emotional impact, where evergreen French sophistication meets traditional Siamese elegance.”Pissara Umavijani grew up in Thailand surrounded by artistry. She developed a passion for fragrances at a young age and began blending precious scents. A few years down the line, she taught herself the science of fragrance in Paris and began working in Grasse. Her intention behind launching Parfums Dusita was to combine the facets of classic French perfumery with the fragrant oils, powders, and resins of Thai culture.
Nicolai
Patricia de Nicolaï, a true visionary, is a perfumer extraordinaire who channels her creativity into Parfums de Nicolaï, the brand she founded in 1989. A member of the Guerlain family, Patricia is Pierre Guerlain’s great-granddaughter and Jean-Paul Guerlain’s niece. After studying chemistry at university, she decided to attend Institut supérieur international du parfum, de la cosmétique et de l’aromatique alimentaire (ISIPCA), the prestigious school in Versailles.She then began working at Florasynth and Quest International and became the first woman to win the International Prize for Young Perfume Creators in 1988. Despite having what it takes to be Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, she was not given the role, most likely due to the brand’s insistence on having a male nose. Patricia de Nicolaï did not back down and became an entrepreneur instead.Today, she is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and sophisticated perfumers in the world. She won the International prize for Young Perfumers (Prix International du jeune Parfumeur Créateur – Société Française des Parfumeurs) in 1988 and became a knight of the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2008.
Goutal Paris
Perfumer Annick Goutal established her eponymous French luxury fragrance brand in 1981. In January 2019, it was renamed Goutal Paris after Annick’s daughter, Camille Goutal, and Isabelle Doyen took charge. Annick Goutal is one of the most respected and influential figures in perfumery. However, music was her first passion. As a child prodigy, she won first prize for piano at the Versailles Conservatory at the age of 16. She envisioned becoming a pianist, but her plans fell through. She then moved to London, where photographer David Bailey assisted her in launching a career in modeling.Annick’s long-standing passion for perfumes finally led her to embrace entrepreneurship. After an inspirational trip to Grasse, she officially became a perfumer in 1979. Her creations were deeply personal but avant-garde, balancing traditions with urbanity. She is one of the pioneers of modern niche perfumery.
Francesca Bianchi
Perfumer and entrepreneur Francesca Bianchi launched her eponymous brand in 2016. With an unconventional approach to fragrance-making, Bianchi brings her artistic vision to life based on her knowledge of perfume ingredients and the specificities of combining them.Born in Italy, Bianchi developed her interest in perfumes after reading a book on natural perfumery. After completing a degree in History of Art, she began studying and experimenting with perfumes. Finally, she created her brand in Amsterdam, drawing inspiration from human nature and intimacy for her creations. Bianchi is known for her rich and complex compositions that stir human memory, individual and collective, while being sensual and provocative. Each formula is handcrafted in Bianchi’s laboratory with high-quality natural and synthetic ingredients.
Miller Harris
Couture British fragrance house Miller Harris was founded in 2000 by Lyn Harris with the intention of creating beautiful bespoke fragrances. The brand elevates traditions of classic perfumery, pushing creative boundaries at every turn.Lyn Harris, who grew up in Yorkshire and Scotland, was one of the first female master perfumers to make a name in the male-dominated fragrance industry. In her early career, Lyn trained in Paris with Monique Schlienger before working with Robertet in Grasse. Finally, she decided to create her own brand in 2000 in conjunction with her partner Christophe Michel.Lyn has created iconic bespoke fragrances like L’Air de Rien, Citron Citron, Tea Tonique, and Rose Silence. Miller Harris is known for telling authentic stories through perfumery, treating natural botanicals to complex artistic processes.
April Aromatics
Tanja Bochnig was founded by April Aromatics in New York, but it is currently based in Berlin. Bochnig takes a holistic approach, using ingredients that are certified organic or wild-crafted as often as possible. April Aromatics ensures that their perfumes make the wearer feel good from the inside out.Tanja Bochnig studied aromatherapy, botany, and natural perfumery for many long years before creating her own brand for organic perfumes and cosmetics. The name of the brand is derived from her birthday, which is on the 1st of April. Tanja is also a licensed yoga teacher and the creator of Aromayoga.From a very young age, Tanja developed a keen sense of smell and a passion for fragrance, which only strengthened during her many travels around the world. A strong believer in the power of nature, she wants to share the healing capabilities of natural ingredients through her scents.
Jo Malone
British perfumer Joanne Lesley Malone founded her eponymous world-renowned brand in 1990. Estee Lauder acquired it in 1999, but Jo remained the Creative Director until 2006. She went on to establish a second brand, Jo Loves, in 2011. Born in Bexleyheath, South East London, Jo had severe dyslexia and could not complete her schooling. Interestingly, she never had formal training in perfumery either. Her lifelong love affair with fragrance began when she was working as a facial therapist in London. She set up a discreet skin care clinic from her London home and quickly discovered her natural affinity for handcrafting scented products. A particular scented lotion and body oil that she created for her most loyal clients went on to become the first official Jo Malone scent, Nutmeg & Ginger. Jo’s entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by passion, resilience & creativity. Even after her cancer diagnosis, her passion for fragrance never ceased. Jo Malone received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2008 and a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2018. Feeling inspired? Us too!
