Interview with Master Perfumer Maurice Roucel: Last Tango In N.Y.C + Le Labo Draw

maurice-roucel

 How do you move a world famous perfumer to grant you an interview? You invite him to dance! Not just any dance… But the Argentine Tango; this is how I met Maurice Roucel, (the FIFI award winning nez who is known for his sensual scents) a few days before he left for his home in France. Maurice Roucel divulges much about the world of fragrance and his life, so sit down grab a cup of espresso and read the most revealing interview I have conducted to date. 

 

Maurice Roucel is prolific and passionate about his ART. Among his 100+ fragrances: Le Labo Labdanum 18 and Jasmine 17, k by krizia, Envy by Gucci, Three from Bond. No.9 including New Haarlem, Four by Guerlain including Insolence, L’Instant Magic, Rochas Tocade, two by Lolita Lempicka including L, Kenzo Air, four by DKNY, Amouage, Missoni Aqua, Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist, Alain Delon Lyra, Reminiscence Jammin’, Helmut Lang, Dans tes Bras and Musc Ravageur by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, Shalini, Nautica Voyage, 24 Faubourg by Hermes, Isaphan by Yves Rocher, Hypnose Men, Roberto Cavalli Oro, Kiton Black, Marc Jacobs Orange, Mac Vanilla, Lalique pour Homme, Laura Mercier neroli, Adidas Sport for Men, Linari Acqua Santa and Amouage Reflection Woman

 

 

 

You were in France for over a month, what were you working on?

MR: Ahh Michelyn, I return to France permanently as of January 12, 2011. I will still be at Symrise, so please visit me in Paris.

 

 

Where were you born? Any childhood olfactive memories?

MR: I was born in Cherbourg, France.  When my mom would take me to the beach, I remember the smell of the sunscreen from L’Oreal, baraques a frites (kiosks for French Fries, ices, etc). My grandmother wore ‘Soir de Paris’ by Yves Rocher, but the formula is very different, it’s a bad imitation now.

 

If you weren’t a perfumer you would be…

MR: An explorer, but not geographical; I would chart new ideas and theses. Theories like Einstein. I wanted to do this as young man. But I was a bad boy

 

Why were you a bad boy, Maurice?

MR: My teachers always said I interrupted class and made too many jokes. I had long hair in the early 60s, like the Beatles. My shirt was an English flag, very mod.

 

Which scent would you choose for me?

 

 MR: I already know the one you love, the one that inspired our modern tango… Le Labo Labdanum 18

 

What is your favorite meal? Do you cook?

 

MR: Fish. Especially sashimi…I just started to cook, because I was eating out twice a day. My specialty is “mon omelette Francaise”, it is complex with a reduction of wine, tomato, and mushrooms. It takes an hour to prepare.

 

A sensuous woman is one who is…

MR: Blonde, brunette, redhead, beautiful to look at with a beautiful heart and moves well, carries herself well. She is any color, any religion…but she is all woman, in the French tradition. I pay attention to her curves; and  the eyes, what’s behind  her eyes…I think Hungarian women are very beautiful.

The scent of a sensuous woman is

MR: Musc Ravageur, bien sur.

What is the most erotic raw material, and why?

 

MR:  It is Oud. Do you know about oud? A tree called Agarwood, from Asia, this tree has a parasite that is killing the tree. After that the wood is dry, but it is developing a material, that is very expensive. Like musk, it used as medicine and as an aphrodisiac. 

Now this is erotic… The women light a fire over the brazier and stand over the smoke so that the smoke enters their ladies’ parts.

What was the first fragrance you bought?

 

MR: Eau Sauvage. It was a discovery for me. And it attracted the ladies.

 

You create beautiful fragrances in the broadest possible price range—from perfumes that are very inexpensive (Tocade and L by Lolita Lempicka) to very expensive (Shalini, Amouage Reflection Woman). What approaches are necessary to create truly artistic perfumes inexpensively?

  

MR: Speaking of price, sometimes it isn’t always reflected in the jus. First, you need a soul, the talent of a perfumer. Think of the Japanese art of origami, a piece of paper to begin. Then voila. It is Art. Of course when you can put in very good raw materials, this is perfect. Like Shalini, it is really worth it, because I made it and I know what is in it. But you mention Rochas Tocade and L By Lolita Lempicka, they are good perfumes with both value and quality.

The Frederic Malle bio says you are self-taught. How did you break into the close knit fraternity of classically trained perfumers?

 

MR: First, I was studying organic chemistry and a specialist of chromatography. But I needed money, so I sent out my resume everywhere. So the old man, Henri Robert the head perfumer of Chanel liked me. It was so flattering and lucky that this legend, who was already in his 70s, took me in while I was only 23. I was there for six years and I learned by myself. In the beginning, I wasn’t interested. I would laugh at the perfumers with their mouillettes (editor’s note: French for breadsticks but aka scent strips). Do you know we used to call ourselves, i.e. perfumers’? ‘Ghosts’. That has certainly changed since the information about us is more available.

 

How do you feel about testing with the moulliettes vs. skin?

 

MR:  It is a tool for perfumers only. But we finish on the skin.

 Now you go to Sephora and there is 700 perfumes. The product oxidizes under the light in worst possible condition… It’s a mess, so how can you spray it? Yet, the old alternative wasn’t great; remember when the perfume ladies sprayed you when you shopped without your permission?

So, try four –five on a strip and  spray two-three maximum on skin. Walk away. Wait. Then decide.

 

When does the nose get tired? How many fragrances can you really smell?

MR: Sometimes people who are obsessed spray too many. There are lay people, and specialists. Michelyn, maybe six for you, but no more. For the lay person it is two or three. I find it ridiculous to see people spray every inch of their skin with a different fragrance. For a professional perfumer, we are trained like a marathoner. We can smell a lot. But we get tired smelling the same thing. So I take a break by smelling other perfumes. I am always working on 20 projects at the same time, to refresh my nose. This is vital.

 

Our sense of smell was more acute thousands of years ago, because we could smell danger, or predatory animals, it was vital for survival. It is our means of communication with the organic universe.

 

You have worked with two of the most influential niche perfumeries and personalities… Frederic Malle and Serge Lutens. Please share how you met these two legends and how you worked with each to create your two most ‘beloved’ fragrances Silver Iris Mist and Musc Ravageur.

 

MR: How does everyone know my work Iris Silver Mist? This is a mystery to me. (Michelyn explains about perfumistas to Maurice).

 

I met Serge Lutens when he was with Shiseido. He was working on Feminite du Bois with Christopher Sheldrake. It was how I say… a bit boring, so he called me in to collaborate. Which I did, and then later I created Iris Silver Mist for his new House. I mixed the most expensive Orris concret with very inexpensive materials.

 

I met Frederic Malle in the 90s, in NYC. He was sent to me by Pierre Bourdon, because at that time Frederic wanted to be an editor of perfume. I told him I had something in my drawer, it was a finalist for Fragile by Jean Paul Gaultier. I gave it to Frederic, and we added a little fresh on the top, and it became Musc Ravageur. Dans Tes Bras, was a collaboration.  I love this perfume; it is based on my memory of warm, salty skin (Editor’s note: — M. Malle described it as “saltiness and a hint of sunscreen… I love it when an interview comes together).

 

Machiavelli or Michelangelo?

 

MR: Michelangelo…but you know Machiavelli was completely misunderstood. He wasn’t such a ruthless guy. History made him so. It was the times he lived in.  He was very smart.

 

Which piece by Michelangelo?

The David of course

 

I read On Wikipedia that michelia centifloria is your signature scent, but I thought it was magnolia? Which is correct…?

 

MR: It certainly is not michelia centifloria…where did that come from. Who said that?  You can’t trust everything you read 🙂   But I did discover a species of magnolia that is not my signature, but I am very proud of finding and creating, it’s an extraction from a Chinese magnolia.  Ambergris is my favorite.

 

Which fragrance took the longest to create? The shortest time?

 

Hermes 24 Faubourg took five years and Shalini fifteen minutes. This was due to the conviction of the respective creative directors, and to their briefs.

 

My dad wears Nautica Voyage. He loves it. So does my mom.

 

MR : Funny, I got a letter from Coty, that a man said it helped his sex life.

 

Maurice, no offense, but TMI, changing subject. Thoughts on IFRA?

 

MR: Sometimes too protective, like above, but sometimes there is abuse of chemicals and materials. Now it’s a business. It is not a law it is a recommendation but many are taking it as a law. It is a grey area. There are some positive aspects, and some negative aspects

 

It is a stupidity to forbid this material. Because you actually protect the Sperm Whale, by using it. The whale is unable to eat something bigger than shrimps; the sperm whale is eating squid (calamari) which has a beak, like a parrot. He eats 100 at a time, it hurts its stomach and he is vomiting. It is disgusting. Nothing in the world smells this disgusting. Its black and liquid, you have never seen anything so vile. But after year after year, the sun, wind and ocean transforms it into a solid like bleached stone. The smell now is gorgeous.

 

Luca Turin predicted IFRA the ‘death of perfumery’ Do you agree?

 

MR: No, although I love Luca Turin and he is my friend. Synthetics are necessary in my perfumery, and new technology creates new ‘paints’ for my palette. We have a huge amount to choose from. It won’t be the materials that are the death, because there are alternatives.

If the industry could do one thing to help noses to create better fragrances?

MR: Better briefs. Sylvaine Delacourte of Guerlain is amazing at guiding the perfumer, bringing her vision and his/he Art to new heights.

 

Little known Guerlain perfume fact?

 

MR: Jicky by Guerlain was named for Jacques Guerlain and his nickname was Jicky

 

Do you have any passions besides perfume?

 

MR: I love to read. Rene Barjavel, I am reading his last one Faim du Tigre. Once I read a book for 13 hours in the bath

 

You have created an exhaustive amount of fragrances… but very few celebrity scents… I can think of Lyra Alain Delon and Celine Dion.  If you could create a celebrity fragrance whom would it be for?

 

MR: Let me think… yes, Ava Gardner.That dark hair, that fiery temperament. BTW, Michelyn, Lyra Alain Delon original formulation was superb.

 

Now Ava by Maurice Roucel ? It would refined and beautiful, it would be alive and with movement and radiant. Somewhat dry and refined. Sparkling top notes, with a sensual amber, vanilla, dry down.

 

Which perfumers do you MOST admire?

MR: G-d.

  

But human perfumers it would be Michel Almairac, Sophia Grosjman, and Alberto Morillas

 

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?

MR A beautiful woman. Ok, Ava Gardner, why not… since I want to make her fragrance.

 

If you could play a famous character from movie, who would it be

 

MR: Ruth Gordon, the old lady in Harold and Maude. I have seen the movie 20 times.

 

You lived in NYC for twelve years… what you love the most about NYC. What do you find the most difficult as a Frenchman in NY

 

MR:  I love the diversity of people. The restaurants, the many cultures.  A mosaic.

 

Difficult?

 

The language. It was so hard for me to learn a new language at 50 yrs. old. Especially the nuances of the language. It is not my language or culture. For example, Verizon phone…I am trying to disconnect and I don’t understand what they are saying and they don’t understand me, so I speak the command , and because of my accent and I end up somewhere else. I would yell into the phone ‘internet’ and I end up in billing.

 

Do you read blogs or read critiques of your fragrances?

MR: No, not so much. Yours and Bois de Jasmin, but sorry not so often. I am not great with Facebook and these things. I also don’t pay much attention to what fragrance critics say, although they have every right to express opinions.

 

Have you ever shaved your mustache?

 

MR: Once in the past 25 years.

 

Tell me about  the creation of Helmut Lang Cologne ?

MR: He wanted the jus to smell of his boyfriend’s secretions on clean sheets

Two “only in NY stories”?

 

MR: First story, not so happy. I saw the destruction of the twin towers during 9/11 as I lived in that area. I saw the planes hit. Such a tragedy I will never forget.

 The second happier… going to Rasputin, a Russian restaurant in Brooklyn and getting drunk on vodka with Sophia Grosjman.

Michelyn Camen, Editor-In-Chief

Our draw is sponsored by our friends at Le Labo and ends January 21 @noon est.

Jasmine 17 and Labdanum 18 will be offered to two winners, each will have their name printed on the bottle!

 

 Be in the scent loop and LIKE us on Facebook and subscribe via RSS. Unclaimed winners as of January 27 will be subject to a redraw.

 

 

 

 

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118 comments

  • Brava, Michelyn. What an interesting and provocative interview. Among my favourite Roucel creations are Iris Silver Mist and Dans Tes Bras. Also 24 Faubourg. But now I'm curious about this Helmut Lang Cologne (!).

  • This interview was a delight to read (I loved the TMI redirects!). And the tango. Oh my! My favorite Maurice Roucel fragrance, by the way, is Dans tes Bras. I would love to win either of the Le Labo fragrances. Please enter me. They sound wonderful!

  • Bravo Michelyn!
    Such a delighful interview. I enjoyed all your questions and applaud you for your quick wit and lovely responses.
    It is so nice to see someone truly love what they do and do it very well!

  • I am still mad at myself for not going to The Bond Breakfast at the Fall Ball Sniffapalooza in '06. Had I known Maurice was going to be there, I would have dragged my sorry ass out of bed!

  • again another wonderful interview Michelyn… great questions you asked and lovely to see you dance!!

  • Love your interview and your tango! 
    Coincidentally, I just bought Musc Ravageur in the oil form yesterday!! I only just noticed it follows his initials while reading your interview.  Hmmmmm….   I also have KenzoAir, Rochas Man, and Tocade, and I do love Dans tes Bras.
    Anyway, sign me up for the draw!

  • A very interesting fellow, with a legacy he can be proud of.    I love reading stuff like this. 🙂 I love that he was largely unaware of this burgeoning group of people that really follow perfumers, analyze fragrances on a note-by-note level, and become inspired to try the art for themselves.

  • Oh, Mr. Roucel seems like such a charmer! I guess any man who could make  Tocade  Iris Silver Mist AND Musc Ravageur would be interesting. What a great interview, and lucky you!! 🙂
    I have no idea which of those perfumes I would like better but I would have to choose Jasmine 17, because I am still looking for that perfect jasmine scent. Something tells me Mr. Roucel could help me with that.

  • hello everyone!!! please be sure to leave which le labo scent you are hoping to win. good luck and thank you. its easy when your interviewee is such a great guy

  • Very nice interview, and so many interesting little facts and opinions.
    I love and enjoy so many of Roucel's works, and two of my favorite Malles are Musc Rav and Dans tes Bras. I also have a soft spot for Hypnose Homme and L by Lempicka.
    I'd love to have a bottle of Labdanum 18; it's a wonderful scent! Thanks again for the interview!

  • Hi, Michelyn.  You certainly made my day!  I don't know who is more fascinating, the interviewee or the interviewer, but as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango  I would love to win the Le Labo Labdanum.

  • taffynfontana says:

    I loved the interview, you have such a great repoire with Mr. Roucel. I am wanting to try Le Labo Labdanum 18. Please enter me in the draw. 

  • Aaron Potterman says:

    Wonderful to see this!  It's great to have interviews as such this!  It makes him seem all the more fascinating and real to me.  Lovely.

  • Fabulous interview and loved the TANGO!!  You look beautiful Michelyn. Your dress is perfect!
    Very excited to try more of Maurice Roucels creations…..My mind is reeling knowing that he has created over 100 fragrances.
      I enjoy 2 scents that are polar opposites!! 24 Fauborg and Musc de Ravageur.!
    Would adore either Le Labo…..sigh.
     

  • Very interesting – I love his honesty, plus he seems very down-to-earth and fun to be with. I adore Iris Silver Mist and also 24, Faubourg. (Creating this over five years must have been a frustrating experience at times – great smelling none the less!)

  • My first surprise here is about K by Krizia! I fell in love with it and bought the Krizia for men so my brother would wear it. We were quite young and it was very hilarious when other people would ask "what are you wearing?" KRIZIA! (Krizzia, lol) we  would say in bad Italian accent. And we enjoyed that. And about Musc Ravageur, which is my favorite perfume from F.Malle´s house, although I have not yet tried Portrait of a Women. Next, I very much agree with how Machiavello is depicted here. About tango, this is sweet, my granfather won a few prices locally and he would say he once danced with Josephine Baker! But really, I don´t know what to believe regarding the last sentence, although who knows.. xoxo

  • What a wonderful interview, Michelyn! 🙂
    I adore Iris Silver Mist. It's an absolutely incredible perfume.
    Very curious about Helmut Lang's Cologne now, surely not as visceral as Secretions Magnifiques!
    Please enter me for Labdanum 18

  • Helmut Lang has been a favourite of mine for years. Little did I know what I have been smelling like in public;). Loved the interview. He seems so down to earth AND funny. A great combo.
    A vodka with him and grosjman….mmmmm

  • I really enjoyed this interview. It has been a very interesting reading. Maurice is so nice and communicative…
    I admire many of his perfumes. Musc Ravageur is my favorite Frederic Malle and Tocade is an affordable masterpiece.
    And Maurice gives us some hope despite of IFRA restrictions. Good perfumers can still create good perfumes with new materials.
    I have never tried any Le Labo, so please enter me in the draw 🙂  Thanks!

  • Michelyn, you surprised me with the interview! I didn`t thought that it`d be so great. Thank you for a very honest interview!  It`s how a like them, when you can extract sincere answers from the perfumer. I found very curious what generated helmut lang cologne, considering that the fragrance doesn`t have anything animalic on it. But it really has a cotton smell, maybe used to emulate the sheets?
    For the draw, both Le Labo scents are delicious, but if i won i`d prefer the Labdanum one.
     Thanks!

  • chayaruchama says:

    I loved this interview !
    What a great guy…I must have the lion's share of his work [ no surprises there;-)]..
    A wonderful collaboration , you two.

  • What an absolutely fun interview. Looks like you had a great time with this awesome perfumer.You have the best job in the world Michelyn. And a draw, how awesome. Would love to be entered.

  •  LL Labdanum is my favorite of the  Le Labo scents, that I've, so far, tried.   I've not had the opportunity to sniff  the Jasmine.  I love Iris Silver Mist.  Would that, more of us, would be "allowed" to enjoy this scent, as often as we would like.   I, now, feel the need and desire, to seek out,  more of Monsieur Roucel's creations.  Such an enjoyable interview. 

  • This was an incredible interview; congratulations! I loved the interesting questions you posed. More, please!
     

  • Well, now… he loves sashimi and mushrooms… reading in the bath tub… knows how to tango… created some of the most stunning perfume concoctions, what do we need more…?! He's my man! I adore his work… constant wearer of 24 Faubourg , L and Envy. Great interview!!!

  • hello to all. What fun and yes Maurice Roucel is both a great perfumer and a very smart,playful man. Please make sure you leave the choice of jasmin 17 or labdanum18 for the draw

  • Musc Ravageur is one of my favorite scents. I fell in love with it from the very first whiff.

    I love reading these interviews as it exposes me to just how many different scents these guys have created.
    My favorite part had nothing to do with fragrance. His story about his experience with Verizon is hilarious.
    Great interview.

  • Well now, bring on a tango, and I always get a smile on my face…and a vavoom in my heart.  😉
    I only recently totally fell for Musc Ravageur; I can say that once fallen, I don't think I'll turn back.  However, I am also a big fan of Dans Tes Bras.  Very different expressions of an embrace, those two.
    K by Krizia I am still trying to wrap my head (nose?) around.  24 Fauborg, nose wrapped and happy.
    Thanks for the chance to sit in the corner and listen to your conversation.  And watch your dance.

  • Excellent interview! I already follow Roucel because I love (and own) Musc Ravageur and Tocade. There is something about his sensibility that speaks directly to me. And I would love to win the Jasmine 17!

  • Michelyn, Once again a great interview! Pulling out Dans Tes Bras to wear today. Jasmine 17 is such a great scent.  I so enjoy these interviews.

  • Fantastic interview.  I actually read the whole thing!  One of my fave MR perfumes is Roberto Cavalli ORO.
    I hope to win the Jasmin 17! 
    ~Dawn 
     
     
     

  • well done ! wish helmut lang for women would be relaunched… the most fantastic scent in the universe… salut maurice – remembering the old dragoco days in asnieres…

  • Scentabulous says:

    I bow … WHAT an amazing profile of the man.  So many of my beloved fragrances have been composed by M. Roucel that I am truly beyond words, here.  Tocade, 24 Faubourg, New Haarlam, Envy … and of course, the One I wear more than most … Musc Ravageur.  The brilliance of this man is epic.  I would LOVE the fragrance which was described as AVA … Please Sir, consider bringing this to form?
    Off to try again, now that I know who created it, to wear my Helmut Lang Cologne.  The EdP worked so perfectly for me … Perhaps it is the inspiration for the scent that is rendering this one almost unwearable by the one writing … See, not so much of a gender bender as previously thought, eh?!  I do however suspect that the Labdanum 18 would be another story altogether …
    Michelyn, the tango was divine.  The piece, per usual, even more so.  Thank you both.

  • Another great interview at CFB, and with MR of all noses! Very human and a real genius at once ) I personally love Musc Ravageur and have completely totally fallen for Labdanum 18 this winter. I have worn it every day since.. and it almost never happens! Please enter me for Jasmin 17, would love to make another great discovery.. thank you!

  • Superb interview, Michelyn — and lovely tango! 😉
    And for the draw, I would go for the Labdanum, please…

  • Barney A bishop, Anne, D,Fabrice, Scentabulous and Dawn. there is no greater compliment than to know you read the whole interview.. it speaks to M. Roucel's  candid manner and sense of humor!!!!

    And of course his suave tango! Archmemory you are counted in

  • arch.memory says:

    Please count me in! I would love the Labdanum, but I definitely won't be upset if I got the Jasmin.. Spring is just around the corner!

  • Terrific interview! I would love to enter the drawing–I am a big fan of several of MR's scents including Le Labo 18, Helmut Lang, and Faubourg 24.  If we have to pick one drawing of the two, please enter me in the Labdanum please. Thanks.

  • i enjoyed the interview.
    haha, i don't know that Mr. Maurice Roucel made Nautica Voyage, my friend use this Perfume and looking in all the Perfumerie in the town but he can't find it.
    he's a nice guy!

  • It's always awesome to find out someone you admire has the same taste in movies.  I think I have also seen Harold & Maude the same number of times.  Fascinating to find out that 24 Fabourg took 5 years to create.

  • What a fun, fun interview!  I didn't realize he was involved with my favorite Iris fragrance (besides Irisss by Xerjoff) Iris Silver Mist.  He's a real character:)  I would love the Jasmin Le Labo,,,should I be so lucky.  Thanks!!

  • Absolutely loved the interview. It seemed as if you two really connected. I would love to try Labdanum 18….as it was recommended to my scent twin.

  • A delightful interview! The rapport between the two of us came through loud and clear.  The thought of him having to deal with Verizon is too funny!
    If I were to win, I would choose Jasmin 17.

  • What a brilliant interview!  I loved how your range of questions elicited answers that gave us such a sense of M. Roucel's delightful personality.  Thinking of  the tango, his moustache and your TMI, I'll be smiling all day. Count me among those who hope that one day he will be given the brief to make Ava and maybe fewer briefs that take five years to satisfy.  As one who doesn't have a large perfume budget I really appreciate his creation of scents with "quality and value" and have tried and enjoyed a number of them starting with Envy many years ago.  And can you imagine the drunken dinner at Rasputin that he enjoyed with Sophia Grojsman (creator of more of my favourites)?!  Oh to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation.
    Please add me to the draw — I would love the Jasmine 17 and am willing to be challenged by the Labdanum 18.  And thanks again for the interview.

  • Good God! What an amazing list of fragrances that he made. Iris Silver Mist and New Haarlem, just two amazing ones. I hope to win one the Le Labo ones, please enter my name in the draw.

  • The entire interview was phenomenal (I love it when the interviewee really opens up), but my favorite part was the tango! And wow, what a wide-ranging talent: I love both the affordable, lovely Tocade and the austere fabulousness of ISM. Oooh, sign me up for the Labdanum draw. 🙂

  • his rosyi, there is alink to that fragrance. to everone..thank you for your comments.please be sure to write which fragrance you are entering for in the last tango draw

  • Well, I agree with MR that Musc Ravageur is the height of sensuality. LL Labdanum reminded me of MR, so I'd love to try it. Please enter me in the drawing!

  • Aaron Potterman says:

    To add to my previous comment: I would like Jasmin17, if I should win! What an inspirational interview! Cheers!

  • Michelle Hunt says:

    What a wonderful interview.   I love to know the passion behind the perfumer!  I enjoyed hearing the personal tone of the interview, it was like eavesdropping on the most interesting conversation.  I confess I read it first and then watched the movie…loved it! 
    Please enter me in the draw, my preference would be for the Labdanum 18, if I should be so lucky.  Thank you! 

  • I almost skipped reading this but am so glad I did not!  What a charming and candid interview, with great questions–thanks so much. Please enter me in the draw. I will to to Facebook now and 'like' you.

  • What a charming interview. So well done. Please enter me in the drawing for Jasmine 17. Thank you so much.

  • Great interview and video; would have loved to see more.  Michelyn, you look great in that red dress!
    I have been dancing the tango for 5 years now and I am hooked.  My previous dance history of Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) really helped my balance. It is interesting that Marcel loves the movie, 'Harold and Maude' as I have seen it around 50 times and it was the first video that I ever bought.  I love the song, "if you want to be free, be free, cause there is a million things to be, you know that there are".  Love Ruth Gordon.
    I would love to be entered in the drawing for the Labdanum 18. Thank you and thanks for posting.
    Aloha and best wishes, Bobbie, aka: Rogue

  • sonia garcia says:

    I just wanna say the M. Roucel is one of my favorite "ghosts" come on! he made Iris Silver Mist!!!! Do I need to say more? Please include my name in the draw.
    Thanks!

  • Amazing interview; an interesting man! I'm off to research his scents that I'm unfamiliar with, but I know that I really really want to smell Labdanum 18. 🙂

  • you smell!!! says:

    It is a really good interview, really down to earth person, and I really like a lot of his creations.
    Please enter my name in the draw for the Le Labo bottles.
    Thanks.

  • This was such an enjoyable read, my only wish is there was more of it, especially the TMI bits! Shame on you for cutting him short like that, Michelyn :-D! I must admit though I never was a fan of Helmut Lang Cologne, and I think I know why now.
    Joking aside, you did a great job of painting a picture of Roucel as a man and not just a perfumer. I wonder (and can't wait to see) who's next!

    P.S. Not to sound too greedy, since I've just won a prize on here, but I'd like to enter for that Labdanum erotic extravaganza. You know, for my tango lessons… 😉

  • Please enter me in the drawing. I would love Le Labo Labdanum 18.
    Harold and Maude is my husband's favorite movie, but I have to say it creeps me out for some reason.
    I am new to this site and it is wonderful..
     
    Thank you…
     

  • I adore Silver Iris Mist, SLMR, and LL Labdanum! But recently found an old bottle of Tocade…ahhh, it is wonderful! What a fun and informative interview!! Thank you and please enter me in the draw! Lovin the LeLabo's!!

  • I liked the part about the Helmut Lang Cologne tee hee. But in all fairness Mr Roucel sounds like a master and someone I'd like to meet one day, pick his brains.

  • I have tried to edit my comment to add my pick but I have not found the way of doing it. I'm sorry.
    If I won, I would like Labdanum 18.

  • This was a wonderful interview, but then again all your interviews are.
    I can't believe I still haven't tried Silver Iris Mist!

  • Great read. Iris Silver Mist is my fav iris. 
    I would love to get my hands on L 18. 
    L 17 is lovely as well. Thank you. 

  • CC, Ines, Isa, Liam Tally
    it was so refreshing that M. Roucel was unaware of our delight in ISM, and yes the story about Helmut Lang was interesting..it was a good brief because it was specific & that is what M. Roucel felt is important. AND TOCADE!!!! ahhh

  • My teenage daughter's first fragrance purchase was a bottle of L by Lolita Lempicka while in the south of France at age 12. Thank you, M. Roucel!
    I own LABDANUM 18 already (gorgeous!) and would love to be included in the draw for the JASMIN 17.  Fantastic interview, Michelyn-loved the tango vid!

  • I really enjoyed this interview.  I love Iris silver mist, Musc ravageur and LL Labdanum.  I will have to revisit and try some of the others.  Thank you!

  • Interesting insight on some of my favorite scents. 🙂 I would LOVE to be entered in the draw for either of the Le Labos!

  • Really a pretty-pretty interview. Ever so fascinating to read Cafleurebon, also from Italy!
    Thank You, and please …enter me in the draw!

  • Z. Boudreaux says:

    I was in Les Senteurs in London once and Maurice was in there… had I known who he was!!! Well I still would probably not have said anything I'm a shy one in person…. Please oh please draw my name for these lovely scents. 
    Zee

  • wow thanks so much for the interview;)   first visit here and such fun post.  I love to see the personality and story behind our obsessions.  Its great to see an artist with a sense of humor too. Would love to try the LL Jasmin 17 & now that I know your here will have to be back soon!

  • This was totally riveting – so many wonderful personal details – like reading a book in the bath for 13 hours!
    Funnily enough, I was wearing Musc Ravageur last night – indeed I still am, for it has remarkable lasting power – and I googled it to see who the perfumer was.  Then today I found your interview.  : – )
    And I do agree about the damaging effect of lights in stores:  "The product oxidizes under the light in worst possible condition" – I have long worried about his very thing, and when I find a tester that feels particularly hot in the hand, I tell the SA!

  • Love Maurice Roucel!  Thanks for the interview!  I have Tocade, L de Lolita Lempicka, Roberto Cavalli Oro, and Insolence EDP.  All are powerhouses and need only a small spritz.  I think six sprays would about kill me – ha!

  • BRAVA, Michelyn!!! What a fabulous interview. I felt like I was in the same room with you and M. Roucel surrounded by fragrance vials, half empty bottles of Roucel classics, and an empty bottle of red wine, all while varous Argentine tangos play on the old scratchy record player. A true tour de force!!!

  • Aimee L’ondee- Karin-Zee, Vanessa -Lauren… just a reminder please be sure to write which le labo you want in your comment!!! Glad you enjoyed the interview

  • Labdanum 18 would be my choice……my comment is higher up but i may have forgotten to mention :))

  • I loved the interview! I'd be thrilled to win either Le Labo, but I'd pick the Labdanum as my first choice. Thanks so much.

  • Maurice Rocel has always been one of my very favorite noses, but after learning his fondess of "Harold and Maude" has made me love him all the more. Great interview, Michelyn!

  • RichKitIntl says:

    LOVED this interview!! You asked ALL the questions I would have done…..if Maurice Roucel is the Master Perfumer, then you surely are the Master(ess!) Interviewer! Bravo!

  • Great interview! Love K de Krizia, and the fact that he identifies with Maude from “Harold & Maude” leaves me tickled pink. I’d love to try Labdanum 18…. Thanks for this draw!