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Parfums Christian Dior announces the arrival of francis kurkdjian as perfume creation director

There is a new generation of master perfumer at Parfums Christian Dior and his name is Francis Kurkdjian. The renowned perfumer has just accepted the role of Perfume Creation Director for the famous French Fashion House, replacing Francois Demachy who at the age of 72 is retiring. It’s an exciting moment as Francis is known for his unbridled creativity.

perfumer Francis Kurkdjian
perfumer Francis Kurkdjian

A daring talent, Francis was only 25 when he composed his first men’s scent, Le Male by Jean-Paul Gaultier, which became a global bestseller overnight. I remember interviewing Jean-Paul and he told me that he loved the fragrance so much he used to spray himself with it every few minutes. His staff had to come and tactfully tell him that they could smell him coming a block away. Obviously a generation of guys agreed with this approach and retailers couldn’t keep it in stock. With such a success, the perfumer became an in-demand artist immediately.

One of his most audacious and exciting fragrance projects was to recreate Marie Antoinette’s signature fragrance using the exact recipe. This was part of an olfactory exhibit at the Chateau de Versailles that captured the imagination of French perfume enthusiasts. In 2009, he was made Knight of Arts and Letters for his work. And many of his fragrances have won international awards.

This isn’t the first time Francis has worked with Dior. In 2008, he composed Eau Noire and Cologne Blanche for La Collection Privée Christian Dior. A visionary who continually expands the scope of possibilities for fragrances, he brings an artistic dimension to creating scents. He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Sophie Calle and Choreographer Christian Rizzo.

“Francis Kurkdjian is a visionary perfumer and a passionate artist who brings his full creative energies, savoir-faire and exacting professionalism to Dior Perfumes, crafting future Dior fragrances that will conquer the world. Francis will build his creations from an exceptional olfactory heritage which started in 1947, anchored by the use of exceptional flowers and bold creative initiatives,” says Laurent Kleitman, president and chief executive officer of Parfums Christian Dior.

I’ve had the honour and pleasure of interview Francis several times over the years and I can tell you he is a charming and thoughtful man. He is soft-spoken and very down-to earth. What surprised me is his honesty at the process of creating fragrances. He told me that it can be a challenging process to find something new to say with a specific note or ingredient. He searches and searches until he can find a new approach, a new twist or a new way of approaching a perfume. He’s a true artist.

“It is a tremendous honour for me to join Parfums Christian Dior, a Maison with a richly inspiring history and a resolutely future-facing creative spirit. I am delighted to share my vision through my fragrance creations,” he says. His resume includes creating My Burberry for Burberry, L’Extase for Nina Ricci, Narciso Rodriguez for Her, Elie Saab Le Parfum, Armani Mania, Green Tea for Elizabeth Arden, Miracle Homme for Lancome, Jeans Couture Glam for Versace, F by Ferragamo, Autumn by Van Cleef & Arpel, Miss Charming for Juliette Has A Gun, Fleur de Male by Jean Paul Gaultier and Rumeur by Lanvin. In total, he has blended more than 40 prestige fragrances.

Francis Kurkdjian will oversee the creation of all Dior fragrances moving forward. I can’t wait to see what he’ll create for the famous maison.

55 Comments

  • Reply
    Susan T.
    January 28, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    He’s an interesting man and so creative with his scents. I can’t wait to see what he does next!

  • Reply
    Cheryl k
    January 14, 2022 at 5:31 am

    Thank you for sharing Francis Kurkdjian‘s story. It’s very interesting.

  • Reply
    jgross
    January 13, 2022 at 11:55 am

    Interested to see what new things he comes up with!

  • Reply
    Candace C
    January 7, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    I’m super curious to see the kind of innovative ideas and unique things he’ll accomplish with Dior. Really looking forward to them!

  • Reply
    Jenn
    December 31, 2021 at 7:46 pm

    Wow, is he the one also responsible for the oh so famous and coveted Baccarat Rouge 540?

  • Reply
    michelle fiorelli
    December 31, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    I love the article!!!

  • Reply
    Shirley
    December 30, 2021 at 9:38 am

    This is very informative and interesting post Its amazing that he so young an artist

  • Reply
    ANNA ROSZAK-ROBINSON
    December 30, 2021 at 4:11 am

    Such a great article

  • Reply
    Gabrielle
    December 21, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    I think it’s amazing that he was creating fragrances at only 25! Wow! @velvetwhip

  • Reply
    Cheryl Royston
    December 16, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    Very interesting! A true artist never gives up until it’s perfect for them ! @Cher_Ann5

  • Reply
    AD
    December 12, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    Wow, how amazing that he recreated historical fragrances! What a way to bring back history and look and experience our past in a new way. I find that fascinating!!!!

  • Reply
    Varsha Kukreja
    December 12, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    Would love to see what new fragrance he will create next. He seems really passionate about fragrances.

    • Reply
      Anthony Bond
      December 27, 2021 at 7:01 am

      Good move. It’s good to bring in talent and keeps things fresh.

  • Reply
    Emily
    December 11, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    Oh wow he is very creative! Looking forward and excited to see what fragrance he comes up with next!

  • Reply
    Maegan Smith
    December 8, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Definitely a fantastic pick for Christian Dior! He has one heck of a resumé, and this will most certainly be one of many highlights of his already successful career. I’m sure it will be just as exciting as all the others he’s created, and will bring great creativity and thoughtfulness to the house of Dior!

    Looking forward to what Dior and Francis create together.

  • Reply
    Leonardo Dell'Anno
    December 7, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    This is so exciting. Francis Kurkdjian is going to bring so much to this role.

  • Reply
    Christina F
    December 7, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    An artist will always feel a sense of wonder and want more! Sounds like a wonderful man with lots of amazing ideas!

  • Reply
    Kari Judd
    December 7, 2021 at 11:59 am

    Thank You for the Information!

  • Reply
    Heather Cain
    December 6, 2021 at 10:16 am

    It sounds like he is a super creative guy, with a special talent to work for such a presiteous company. Hope to see and smell his work soon

  • Reply
    Rose Wells
    December 6, 2021 at 8:12 am

    Looking forward to seeing what he creates for Dior. It would be fascinating to see a documentary on his process.

  • Reply
    bn100
    December 3, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    lovely news

  • Reply
    Remy Dhillon
    December 3, 2021 at 9:53 am

    Love this informative

    • Reply
      Varsha Kukreja
      December 4, 2021 at 2:08 am

      Would love to see what new fragrance he will create next. He seems really passionate about fragrances.

    • Reply
      Aundrea Lauzon
      December 6, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      That was so interesting! I had a giggle at the thought of him trying several colognes at a time. It must have given everyone a headache, but it appears that he’s a creative genius! He definitely knows what he’s doing with tons of success under his belt!

  • Reply
    Åse
    December 3, 2021 at 9:39 am

    Perfumery really is an amazing, living art form! Your interviews with Francis Kurkdjian and so many others are so exciting, Dave! Can’t wait to discover what he will do for Dior!

  • Reply
    Liz G
    December 3, 2021 at 3:24 am

    I had NO idea! I am genuinely excited! I was a big Dior for most of my life, and have several of the Private Collections that are gorgeous, but all the revamps of Miss Dior have not been my favorite. I mean, they’re fine, but not special, if that makes sense. And I MISS the OG Dolce Vita like crazy, but I’ve managed! LOL Then I discovered MFK in Paris, and have some of the most delightful, fresh, modern, sexy fragrances ever. BR540 doesn’t agree with my chemistry, but Oud Satin Mood, Aqua Celestia Forte, Amryis Femme Extrait, and A la Rose Homme are heavyily in my rotation. I am so excited to see what he will do, I do seem to like his work with other houses as well. I’ve gone through several bottles of Narciso Rodriguez and My Burberry (you got me hyped on the glitter snow globe bottle, I still have most of it!) Anyway, this is wonderful news. I do hope he keeps his own house otherwise I’m about to stock up!

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