Interview with Stéphanie Bakouche – L’Artisan Parfumeur Perfumer & Fragrance Development Manager + Rose Privee and MDCI Invasion Barbare Draw

stephanie bakouche  perfumer

Stéphanie Bakouche

I had the pleasure of talking with Stéphanie Bakouche above the picturesque village of Cabris (near Grasse), in the Roudnitska gardens and home to Art et Parfum and Accords et Parfums.  The setting was redolent with French perfume history and couldn’t have been more perfect.  Holding the interview in Michel Roudnitska’s gardens felt very special.

cafleurebon michel and edmond roudnitska

Michel Roudnitska and Edmond Roudnistka

These were the gardens that acclaimed perfumer Edmond Roudnitska nurtured into being and lived with his wife Thérèse, who was the inspiration for Le Parfum de Therese, (now housed in the Editions de Parfum Frederic Malle) and son Michel. Edmond Roudnitska is of course considered one of the best noses in history with the creation of Diorissimo ,Eau Sauvage for Dior and Femme (Rochas) among many others. Of course Michel Roudnistska  is also a perfumer with Magnolia Grandiflora Michel (Grandiflora) Noir Epices (Editions de Parfum Frederic Malle) and Bois de Paradis (Parfums Del Rae) just a few amongst his own body of work; he is also a pioneer in ambient scenting and a shaman.

Olivier Maure   of art et parfums garden and pool  roudnistska estate

Photos taken by Megan at the Roudnistka Gardens  Estate in Cabris Stephanie with Olivier Maure

Thanks also to Olivier Maure for the welcome and walk around the beautiful gardens. This article is a result of our conversation at Cabris and additional written material from Stéphanie.This article is a result of our conversation at Cabris and additional written material from Stéphanie.

 stephanieieinMarch2015bytheT-shapedpoolattheRoudnistkahome

Stephanie in front of thte “T” shaped pool Edmond Roudnistka constructed for his wife Therese

Stéphanie Bakouche is a young perfumer with a difference, as this is only one of the myriad parts of her role at L’Artisan Parfumeur. She’s 35 years of age, grew up in Paris and has lived there all her life until her recent shift to Grasse. Stéphanie has a passion for working not only as a perfumer but also in the industry as a Fragrance Development Manager.  In this sense, it could be said that her journey follows a different path to other classically trained perfumers. Stéphanie’s insights offer a unique and intriguing take on the road less travelled.

1 stephanie bakouche perfumer

Stephanie Bakouche at 4 years old in Casablanca and at the Osmotheque 2006 (26 years old)  

The Early Years

SB: I had always been unable to explain why I’ve always wanted to create perfumes. There is no perfumer or artist of any kind in my family. I don’t look for an answer anymore. I just believe we all have our specific angels bending on our cradles. That we have absolutely no control on.My chance was to discover the existence of ISIPCA early enough to take the right direction in my studies, a scientific Baccalaureate and enter University for a degree in chemistry that would enable me to take the ISIPCA contest. That was all I wanted to do. You have to obtain your degree first and then it’s a two-year school. It’s in partnership with the University of Versailles so you have some lessons in common with other students in the university. You also have to know that you spend two months in the school, two months in a company for every two months for the two years at ISIPCA It is enriching. There are so many things to discover. It’s a passionate experience. You enter the world you have wanted to know for a long time and you discover everything.

 

You don’t become a perfumer after ISIPCA. It gives you bases, and it’s even more true now. Needing to work and make myself a living, I worked for various brands on the sales floor, for the launch of their new fragrances. I learned the market, the story of all brands … and slowly became quite a specialist in fragrance brands and in the perfume market in general. I began to be called for special missions training the Sephora staff or elaborating training manuals for Marionnaud. I took a bit of time to understand the relevance. You do this in parallel because you have to earn your living but it’s a good thing I did this. These experiences lasted 5 years. In between, two major encounters happened: the one with Bernard Bourgeois in Hermès, working side by side with him, Director of Fragrance laboratory for Hermès, was amazing. I was in charge on quality control of all perfume fabrications for Hermès, Cartier and Lalique, and I was there at the same time when Jean-Claude Ellena joined the brand, so I’ve had the great opportunity to work on the Hermessences developments.

invasion barbare mdci cloon Bataille de Fleurs

Invasion Barbare for MDCI perfumes and Bataille de Fleurs for Cloon Keen Atelier

 

First Perfume Creations: Invasion Barbare for MDCI perfumes and Bataille de Fleurs for Cloon Keen Atelier

SB: I also met Claude Marchal (from MDCI) in 2005. I sent six fragrances … he came back to me, thrilled with one of my creations, and wanted no modifications. Invasion Barbare was born. Still one of the best sellers of the brand, this creation has made me a name in the industry, and I will never thank Claude Marchal enough for having trusted me at that time. I wanted the strength (of Invasion Barbare) to be very obvious. I wanted a modern fougère and I decided quite quickly to make it leathery and animalic with costus, and I used thyme, which is an aromatic leathery herb. I used a lot of spices and aromatic herbs and a lot of artemisia, and an overdose of thyme and then I spiced everything up. It’s a daring fragrance, it’s very strong and that’s why it’s successful in Russia. “This is the first fragrance by Stéphanie Bakouche … clearly a talent to watch … After ten minutes I uncurled my toes and relaxed: this thing was not done on the cheap, and is in fact one of the top two or three fragrances in this genre on the face of the earth.” (Luca Turin, in the A-Z Guide). It is thanks to this experience for instance that I have been known by Cloon Keen Atelier Director, Margaret Mangan, who, in turn, gave me carte blanche to create a new scent celebrating flowers. Bataille de Fleurs was born, a celebration to the Mimosa blooming in winter on the French Riviera. I took this as a challenge and that it would teach me a lot. And then little by little she (Margaret Mangan) fell in love with the mimosa that I created. She enjoyed this, a very very white fresh green watery almost marine scent.

StephanieRosePrivee1 bertrand duchaufour

Top Row: working with mai rose at the Art et Parfums laboratoryi n Cabris 2014

Bottom Row: Photos of Stephanie with Bertrand Duchaufour Press launch Rose Privee 2014 Paris

Working at L’Artisan Parfumeur as Fragrance Development Manager and Perfumer

SB:I was first hired as a trainer. I got a chance to learn about and become accustomed to this precious brand, learning every detail of each of its fragrances. I’m still in charge of the training manuals; how we build the story, tell our staff. I’m in the heart and the start of the discussion of the ideas of the fragrant launch. It’s like a creative director – propose ideas of future scents, olfactory mapping, gaps, something consistent to your range, and the trends and best sellers on market. I brief perfumers. I do smelling sessions with them also reworks of fragrances to respect IFRA. This is hell. Compliance is huge.

Stephanie-IntheLabColigny2014

The Development of Rose Privée

SB: My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent.  I want to give some emotion it can be good it can be bad but I want to have a strong reaction to it. You have to feel something. That’s a definition of a good creation – you give an emotion whatever it is. My idea and first samples have been welcomed by the team, so I kept on working on this fragrance for fourteen months, with the amazing luxury of having Bertrand Duchaufour as a Master Perfumer guide and Artistic Director. He mentored me all along. We wanted something extremely Mediterranean. I think the biggest challenge on this fragrance was to make it accessible and modern and it’s difficult when you’re doing a rose theme. We had the idea of lilac and this hint of magnolia that he taught me to use together with another rosy note.

Smelling a patchouli tree (I’m crazy about this scent!) MAY 2014 in the gardens of the MIP (Intermational Perfumery Museum)

Smelling a patchouli tree (she’s crazy about this scent!) MAY 2014 in the gardens of the MIP (Intermational Perfumery Museum)

The base is chypre, it has a hint of patchouli and I thought how could I make things sunny and keep the Mediterranean spirit in the base, and that’s where hay came from. And at this moment we thought that hay would replace oak moss in the chypre scheme and it’s a bit musky as well to make the base warm sensual and round. So that’s how its been constructed. It’s probably the most amazing development I’ll ever do having Bertrand Duchaufour as an Artistic Director and evaluator and of course as a Master Perfumer. It’s amazing to have this luxury to have Bertrand guiding you in the steps of your development.  And it’s true that the ideas for the composition were my ideas but his help has been absolutely priceless. He’s also someone who absolutely teaches us to work in a direction where there’s no use of doing very long formulas. He really taught me to make ingredients breathe. I like to make personality out of each of my creations I tend to exaggerate, maybe to put too much of this our that and he taught me so well how to enhance this facet.  You don’t need to put more you need to play on the contrast and this was very useful.

 Favourite Perfumes and Scents

spices  Moroccan bazaar souk perfume

Spices Morrocan Souk from Lextolexicom

SB: I think all the holidays I spent in Morocco. I had my grandparents there and I spent my summers there. I think the scents of the souks, the spices, the woods, the Atlas cedar wood, the craftsmen in the streets.  You walk there and you smell this smoky woody scent all around. I love spicy woody oriental scents. I can’t express nor explain my passion for patchouli and the amazing feelings this scent wakes up inside of me. I love iris, cedar wood and jasmine, leathery and musky notes, the richness of spices such as cumin, curcuma (turmeric) and the vibrating freshness of cardamom.  The deep leathery facet of narcissus, the surprising complexity of osmanthus.

naomi goodsir or du serail sewn booklet cafleurebon

Photo:Tama Blough Esxence 2014 Or du Serail Naomi Goodsir

I love Serge Lutens fragrances and admire Christopher Sheldrake. I really love Kenzo Amour. It’s a doudou (something children sleep with to comfort them). I’m so crazy about Gucci Pour Homme.  It’s smoky.  Also some classical ones.  I admire  Guerlain Mitsouko, CHANEL No 19.  GUERLAIN Heritage is the most amazing masculine. I’m part of the Osmothèque and so I have the chance to smell rare fragrances and I’m crazy about iris and I’m probably going to get a tattoo of one soon.  Iris Gris from Jacques Fath I would die for and Bertrand said he has the formula and now he can’t find it.  I keep some hope. There’s also a beautiful niche brand that was created by Naomi Goodsir.  Bertrand created Or du Serail, it’s an amazing tobacco it has everything but it breathes.  It’s sugary, tobacco, leathery, woody.  It has a sillage with this one. I make every person smell it. For me this an amazing perfume.

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Stephanie March 2015 Roudnitska gardens

Stéphanie’s Future

For now I am of course exclusive to L’Artisan Parfumeur so if I remain as the Manager of Fragrance Development and once every year I launch one perfume I would love this. I’m conscious that I have an amazing chance to do both. Such a key position in the marketing team and being a perfumer at the same time. But definitely I would like my future to be more creative with L’Artisan Parfumeur, but I’m having so much fun as a Manager of Fragrance Development with Bertrand, working with him.”

 Megan Paki, Senior Contributor CaFleureBon and Editor of Megan In Sainte Maxime

RosePriveeBottle

Thanks to L’Artisan Parfumeur we have  a 100 ml bottle of Rose Privee for a US or Canadian Registered Reader

and

invasion barbare 75 ml

 Thanks to Claude Marchal of MDCI we have a 75 ml  flacon of Invasion Barbare for a registered reader in the US or Eu.

To be eligible, be sure to register. Please leave a detailed comment with what you found fascinating about Stephanie Bakouche, (a quote, something you will remember about this interview), where you live and your choice of fragrance.  Draw closes June 27, 2015.

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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44 comments

  • I agree with so many things that Stephanie mentions especially this one: There’s also a beautiful niche brand that was created by Naomi Goodsir. Bertrand created Or du Serail, it’s an amazing tobacco it has everything but it breathes. I totally agree with her and she loves Chanel No.19 which was one of my mothers favorites for a long time and I still adore it. She made me laugh with this quote, but I understand it as I find Kenzo Amour comforting also ” I really love Kenzo Amour. It’s a doudou (something children sleep with to comfort them).
    I can hardly wait to see what she launches and I wish her good luck. I would be happy with either fragrance both are beautiful :: Rose Privee knocked me over with a feather though:: it is stunning. I am in the US and thank you so much for the opportunity 🙂

  • JazzBelle says:

    Stephanie is an extremely talented perfumer, especially for being only 35. She’s extremely passionate about fragrance and the quote that stands out to me is the following: “There is no perfumer or artist of any kind in my family. I don’t look for an answer anymore. I just believe we all have our specific angels bending on our cradles.”

    I love how she explained her talents as having “our specific angels bending on our cradles.” What a beautiful way to describe one’s gift. I love L’artisan Parfumeur so it’s great to hear she works for them.

    I also loved how she spent all her holidays in Morocco and fell in love with the souks, the spices, the woods, and Atlas cedar. It’s fascinating how scent is so tied to memory.

    Stephanie Bakouche has a bright future in perfumery and I hope to experience all her fragrances.

    I live in the USA, have liked the CaFleureBon page and would love to win either of the fragrances. They both sound gorgeous! Thank you!

  • fazalcheema says:

    there is so much to learn from this interview but there are also many things I remembered about Stephanie which have been mentioned in this interview. For example, Invasion Barbare was her first creation but I didn’t know Claude Marchal sought her services in quite an informal manner and as Stephanie says, trust placed on us in early days is something we never forget… I also remember reading an article about Stephanie which had picture of her marriage..I think Stephanie got married soon after she joined L’Artisan and at the time of her marriage, IB remained her only creation…

    When Stephanie mentions Morocco and how cedarwood is one of the smells she adored in her children, it instantly reminded me of Lutens who also loves cedar and generously used it in early masterpieces such as Feminite du Bois..Not surprisingly, Stephanie is a fan of Lutens..

    Lots of congratulations to Stephanie on her dream job..not many have the absolute dream job and I have no doubt she will be replacing Bertrand as the Master Nose of L’Artisan in the near future..Even if it is not L’Artisan, I def. see her becoming a nose of a major brand in the future, following in the footsteps of Christine Nagel at Hermes and Mathilde Laurent at Cartier.

    I am in the US and once again best of wishes to Stephanie on her career aspirations.

  • Christine Jelley says:

    I love the description of Kenzo Amour as a “dou dou”. A phrase we wouldn’t use to describe it in the US, which makes it even more special.

  • I envy those people who know early on what they want to do or be. ” I just believe we all have our specific angels bending on our cradles. That we have absolutely no control on.” It is wonderful for Stephanie Bakouche that she is able to do what she feels she was meant to do.

    “Iris Gris from Jacques Fath I would die for and Bertrand said he has the formula and now he can’t find it. I keep some hope.” Now THAT is a tease! LOL.

    I would love to have the Rose Privee. USA.

  • “SB: My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent.” That is awesome because it’s exactly what excites me and keeps my interest in perfumes.

    I live in the U.S. and I’d love to win the Invasion Barbare

  • I like Stephanie’s aim as a perfumer, never create anythiing that leaves anyone indifferent. I have been wanting to try Invasion Barbare for quite some time. That is my choice for draw. USA

  • It’s fantastic to see that a company like l’Artisan,which focussed the public’s attention on the role of the perfumer before it was common practice, support mentorship on this level. I”m thrilled to see what will come of it! (Invasion Barbare)

  • I, too, love the line, “My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent.” Indeed. What a perfect goal! Thanks, Stephanie, for sharing insights into your favorite perfumes with us. Thanks for the draw. I’d love the new L’Artisan fragrance!It sounds heavenly. I’m in the US

  • I am so impressed with the trajectory if this young perfume, a background in chemistry followed by years in sales and becoming an expert in that which already exists. What a great foundation for Stephanies own work. I’d love to try rose privee. Thanks so much for the draw, I’m in the US.

  • MikasMinion says:

    I loved this interview. Stephanie was kind to be so honest about her career and I learned a lot I didn’t know about her. I had always seen her named as a protege of Bertrand D. and had no idea that she created Invasion Barbare early in her career and on her own. Obviously, I needed this interview to put things in perspective.
    I’m also quite relieved that she can’t explain why she became a perfumer. I haven’t ever been able to explain why I like the things I’m passionate about and find it strange that so many people have the ability to do so.
    I’m in the U.S. and would love to win Invasion Barbare.

  • I love Stephanie’s career trajectory – how she works her way from the bottom and in different parts of the industry.
    As a side note, that picture of Moroccan spice mounds is amazing.

    Thanks for the draw. I’m in Canada. If I win, I’d choose Rose Privee.

  • madeleine gallay says:

    The happiness of what Stephanie is doing and her understanding of smoky woodsy stories with refinement is very beautiful. There is art beyond craft and knowledge and then it is magic, elemental and never to be forgotten.

    The Rose Privee seems all that, gentle and seductive and magic. I’m in the US and now dreaming of this.

  • Laurentiu says:

    Is it surprising that Morocco is the place where some of the most talentend perfumers in the world have drawn inspiration from? See the case of Andi Tauer and his wonderful L’Air du Desert Marocain or Serge Lutens with all his fragrances that seem to be an ode to this country. Not to mention Stephanie and I am sure that there are many more perfumers who have a connection in a way or another with this mystical land, a connection that ends with a great fragrance.
    I think this quote sums up what we all feel about certain notes: “I can’t express nor explain my passion for patchouli and the amazing feelings this scent wakes up inside of me.”. It really makes me wanna go to Morocco, to see it all by myself, to smell it, to feel it. Maybe one day I will experience that magical inspiration that appears to inspire all these creators.
    I am from Eu and I would like to win Invasion Barbare. Thank you!

  • Oh, what a fascinating story about an ascending perfumer’s development! I share Stephanie’s passion for Iris. (“I’m crazy about iris and I’m probably going to get a tattoo of one soon.”) And I’m captivated by the idea that the formula for Iris Gris might be recovered. I’d love to try the Rose Priveé. I live in the U.S.

  • Marcopietro says:

    Great interview! I was fascinated by the personality of Stephanie Bakouche, I highly appreciate her toughness and her talent devoid of any presumption. Her background, built step by step, assures her a solid foundation in all aspects of the creative process, production and marketing of quality perfumery. She had great mentors, but has been able to build on all those experiences. Chapeau!
    Between Stephanie’s perfume creations I fell in love with Invasion Barbare, this is my choice. Thank you!
    I am in EU.

  • ringthing says:

    What a great career this young woman has enjoyed, with many more beautiful creations on her horizon. It’s fascinating that Stephanie knew immediately what she wanted to do with her life early on, as guided by her specific angel, and her straightforward and rather pragmatic approach to her education. She’s had the opportunity to work with such wonderful perfumers, notably (for me) Jean-Claude Ellena and Bertrand Duchafor. The story behind Invasion Barbare was particularly interesting, since Claude Marchal was thrilled with the first mod, that seems a rare experience. I can appreciate her love of iris and patchouli and her deft hand in allowing heavy elements to breathe. Thanks for a great interview, the garden setting looks gorgeous.
    I’m in the US and would love to win Rose Privee.

  • d3m0lici0n says:

    Wow! So young and so talented! I can not believe that she created Invasion Baarbare at such young age.
    My favorite quote from this interesting interview is:
    My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent. I want to give some emotion it can be good it can be bad but I want to have a strong reaction to it.
    I live in the US and my pick of course would be Invasion Barbare.

  • I was immediately taken with Stephanie’s statement that she couldn’t explain why she has always wanted to create perfumes. I find that refreshing. Also the part where she didn’t grow up around some form of artistic family member. As Stephanie does, I admire Christopher Sheldrake myself. 🙂 If I am chosen, I pick MDCI Invasion Barbare. US.

  • Good morning. I was fascinated by all aspects of how Stephanie wwent from the formal education, to the sales aspects of her initial career, and how they affected her view of perfumery in general. I live in the US, and would be interesxted in Invasion Barbere.

  • Great interview as I have always heard so much about In axion Barbare but didn’t know about Stephanie Bakouche. Her joy for perfume really shines through. It must be an amazing experience to work with Bertrabd Duchaufour. The gardens of Edmonf Roudnitska are breathtaking. I would choose Rose Privee
    I live in the U.S. And just registered to your fantastic site

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    What struck me the most about this interview is how Stephanie’s joy in pursuing her craft literally makes her glow in her pictures, and how her enthusiasm (being crazy about Patchouli) is infectious. This passion is amazing. I would love to try the Rose Privee, and I live in the US.

  • Fabulous review. I found fascinating about Stephanie Bakouche, is that she really enjoy her job. My favorite quote is that: “I make things sunny and keep the Mediterranean spirit in the base”. Because I also very like Mediterranean places and things. I’m a registered reader. I live in Europe. So my choice is Invasion Barbare. Thank you for this lovely draw!

  • I absolutely adore her insight look into her fragrance journey from the beginning. She seems very passionate about her job and very honest.
    This interview was a delight to read. I love she mentioned that fragrance needs to breathe. I absolutely agree with that. No matter how heavy and thick it is the airy quality in a fragrance uplifts it and doesn’t feel congested. She is certainly creating bold fragrances.
    I really really want to win invasion barbare.
    Thank you USA

  • luvmarley says:

    I liked the pic of her with the patchouli plant and it reminded me I need a new one, lol. There is something so beautiful about the scent in it’s original element. Then the next line is something about ‘keeping it sunny….where hay comes in’ sounds amazing. Later in that paragraph she talks about Bertrand teaching her to allow fragrances to ‘breathe’ and I feel all of us here understand, and appreciate that sentiment. Gorgeous review. I am in the US and would love to try the Rose Privee. Thanks!

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    One of the points that struck me in the article was Stéphanie Bakouche’s feeling that she likes to make an impact (whether positive or negative) when she creates her perfumes. It is that she wants to move those that experience her fragrances. to me, that is what wearing fragrance is all about. It is a journey. Sometimes, that journey is wonderful and at other times, not so much. You can also experience the same fragrance quite differently. It is so personal. She wants that to happen.
    I also really like the notes in both, however, I am feeling particular drawn to Invasion Barbare, which seems to be for the gents, but I feel it can definitely blend so nicely on the ladies. That would so be my choice, should I be lucky to win. I’m a registered reader and located in the US. I think I would share that with my hubby too! 🙂
    thank you so much!

  • I love this quote: “My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent.” What a wonderful thing to aspire to, in many (most?) aspects of creation! While I know no MDCI fragrances, I own many L’Artisan scents in full-bottle size, in numbers rivaled only by my Chanel collection. I’m wearing L’Eau de L’Artisan right now, as the mercury creeps ever upward. I’d be thrilled to win either, but am leaning slightly toward Invasion Barbare. I live in the U.S. and am registered.

  • I throughly enjoyed reading the journey that Stephanie has made and continues to make. The hard work and intense dedication is more than obvious, focus and determination as well. Her talent pulling her in the right direction it would seem and we all benefit from that. Even though I have never tried any of her fragrances her star shines brightly and I would dearly wish too. Invasion Barbare would be my choice. I am a registered US reader.

  • I really liked the insight Stéphanie gives into how a perfumer’s career is structured… how you work as an intern at some companies while you are doing your training. I also liked the idea of replacing oakmoss with hay in a chypre to give it a Mediterranean feel.
    I live in Belgium (EU) and I would absolutely love to win Invasion Barbare.

  • Stephanie’s job sounds ideal and exciting to me! And how satisfying to have had such success with the creation of Invasion Barbare so early in her career. I like this statement, “My aim as a perfumer is never to create anything that leaves people indifferent. I want to give some emotion it can be good it can be bad but I want to have a strong reaction to it.” I think that’s a great goal for a perfumer to have. I would love to win either perfume but I am leaning toward Invasion Barbare. I am in the USA. Thank you for the interview and the draw.

  • I hope that Stephanie creates more than 1 perfume a year. I admire her dedication to be somewhat in the background doing business rather than immediate gratification of composing all the time. A diverse background working at sephora and on Les Exclusifs.
    Please enter me for Invasion Barbare
    US registered reader

  • rodelinda says:

    I didn’t realize that Stephanie is so young! She’s so talented that I figured she must have been in the industry for decades. It’s also surprising to me that she didn’t inherit her love of fragrance from a family member, since that seems to be the case with many of the perfumers that you interview.

    I loved Invasion Barbare at first sniff when I sampled it years ago. Whenever I think about perfumes that smell completely unique, it’s one of the first that comes to mind. I’d be thrilled to win a bottle of it. I’m in the US. Thanks for the drawing!

  • My favorite thing about Stephanie is her desire never to leave anyone indifferent. I feel that we already have too many fragrances that are just unremarkably pleasant (like supermarket wines!). I love it when I find one to love or loathe. I live in North Carolina, USA, and I would be thrilled to win Invasion Barbare.

  • silvrolive says:

    It seems that Stephanie does everything: ” propose ideas of future scents, olfactory mapping, gaps, something consistent to your range, and the trends and best sellers on market. I brief perfumers. I do smelling sessions with them also reworks of fragrances to respect IFRA.” She seems to flow wonderfully with all the different aspects of this industry and take great joy in her creations!
    I would love to have a bottle of Rose Privee and am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • “I’m crazy about iris and I’m probably going to get a tattoo of one soon” is a quote I won’t soon forget. Such passion!

    I live in the US and would love to try Invasion Barbare. Thank you for the draw and for the in-depth portrait of and interview with Stéphanie. Amazing!

  • Iphigenia says:

    I love the way she views things in life: we all have our angels taking care of us and I do believe that certain things in life are predestined to occur like the fact that she was made to become a gifted/talented perfumer.
    I live in EU and I would love to experience Invasion Barbara, many thanks for this generous draw and amazing in personal details review about Mrs. Stephanie Bakouche of whose perfumes I am a great admirer!!!

  • What an interesting profile! I admire these people with the determination of studying in ISIPC before becoming a perfumer. I was shocked when I read about Iris gris: “Bertrand said he has the formula and now he can’t find it” !!
    i,m in the EU and I would be a pleasure to have Invasion Barbare.

  • I found it fascinating that Stephanie Bakouche’s fragrance Invasion Barbare is so popular in Russia. I enjoyed the quote that “After ten minutes I uncurled my toes and relaxed”. I have to try this! I live in the US and my choice of fragrance is the daring Invasion Barbare.

  • Stephanie is a very knowledgeable person and I loved reading all of it. She’s a master perfumer and I love the passion she has!

    I’m in Canada and would love to win Rose Privee!

  • “I don’t look for an answer anymore. I just believe we all have our specific angels bending on our cradles. That we have absolutely no control on.” I loved this quote. Its so true and everyone can relate. There are so many things we can’t control in our lives. Stephanie sounds like an incredible person. I’m Canadian so I’ll choose Rose Privee

  • I enjoyed reading about the spicy woody scent of holidays in Morocco. The sense of smell is so evocative, this reminds me how we can keep our memories of special times close to our hearts. I would love to win Invasion Barbare. I’m in the US, thanks!

  • Thank you for this piece and draw! I loved reading about Stephanie Bakouche’s diverse experiences in her training and early career– starting with her training, then understanding the industry through sales and marketing, and training others in different brands, fragrance development, everything really. “Well-rounded” is the first thing that comes to mind.

    My favorite part was her approach to creation: ” I want to give some emotion it can be good it can be bad but I want to have a strong reaction to it. You have to feel something. That’s a definition of a good creation – you give an emotion whatever it is.”

    Invasion Barbare would be my top choice!
    USA

  • Greg Mayne says:

    I would have to say my favorite part of it was

    “I want to give some emotion it can be good it can be bad but I want to have a strong reaction to it. You have to feel something. That’s a definition of a good creation – you give an emotion whatever it is.”

    This is why Stephanie is such a great perfumer. She’s truly one of a kind

    My choice is the beautiful Rose Privee

    Canada

  • I am the user Jan who posted on June 25, 2015 at 3:20 pm
    Again I wasn’t logged in, but I wouldn’t want to miss the draw…