In fragrance there is often a tradition of passing the secrets of perfumery from father to son.  Oliver Polge, Aurelien Guichard and Andre Fraysee come to mind.  Mother to son (or daughter) is not as common. If there is anyone who breaks rules and has an independent mind it is Patricia de Nicolai. The Company has announced that her son Axel de Nicolai will now work on the NICOLAÏ brand, which was launched in 1989 by Patricia de Nicolai and her husband Jean Louis Michau. Mme Nicolai, who grew up in the Guerlain family, was never considered to carry on the traditions of creating fragrance under the family name…because she was a woman.

Taking over from his father,  30 year old Axel is dedicated to brand management, but will also be heavily involved in the House’s perfumery. Together, Patricia and Axel will continue to create works of olfactory art with both the signature and soul of the brand.  NICOLAÏ is one of the few independent Houses where all fragrances are created in-house, and also where all manufacturing is done in their own workshops near Orleans.

 Axel has quite a resume;  after graduate school worked at L'Oréal (Lascad), LVMH Fragrance Brands (Givenchy, Kenzo, Fendi) and the Middle East for Inter Parfums. Mme de Nicolai has no plans to retire.

 NICOLAÏ  owns and operates a network of 10 exclusive shops  in Paris and London. Outside of their boutiques, NICOLAÏ is sold at select stockists throughout the world.

Via Nicolai

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief