For many people, fragrance may be nothing more than a small item that you dab on your neck before going to work. However, for luxury fragrance brand Maison Francis Kurkdjian, fragrance is a kind of poetry and the art of living. Francis Kurkdjian is one of the most talented master perfumers today. He has worked as a perfumer for many well-known brands and co-founded the fragrance brand of the same name with Marc Chaya in 2009. "Supreme" had an exclusive interview with the brand's co-founder and CEO Marc Chaya. He shared the concept of founding the brand, the challenges faced and his views on the future of the industry, and revealed the story behind the fragrance for us.
Recalling how he first met Kurkdjian, Chaya said: "I met him at a dinner party a long time ago, when he created many popular fragrances. Behind these extraordinary scents, I was surprised to find that the source Because of his endless creativity. I realize that many brands are often driven by marketing, and perfumers are limited to the brand story, and their existence is often hidden behind the fragrance bottle. However, I think perfumers can be ours. Life brings beauty and harmony, which deserves more people to cherish.”
He continued to share: "I worked in the financial industry before, and I am passionate about art and creativity. I am eager to enter a field that is more meaningful than business; while Kurkdjian hopes to transcend the restrictions of the brand and express his creativity more freely. concept, we hit it off immediately. We share the same values and aesthetics and complement each other. We have developed a close partnership and friendship, and every time we create a new product or collection, it is Kurkdjian's inspiration and Chaya helps realize it. ideas, making sure the work is clear and understandable.”
Putting perfumers back on center stage
When Chaya looked back on the past 15 years, they emphasized their efforts to bring perfumers back to the center stage of fragrance creation, and the products transcended the concept of brand concept. He said: "When we build the brand, people always ask about the story behind the creation. We go back to the purest creation of fragrance, starting from Kurkdjian's inspired elements and creativity. Like any other art form, fragrance There is also a great genius behind it, with a sensitivity to smells and a unique talent." He shared an interesting moment of the two's collaboration: "I often gave the project different code names and nicknames, because he needed a name to start working on it. Even the name. Most of them come from ideas between him and me. Sometimes we think of a name that both parties like and we can reach an agreement immediately. Sometimes we have no clue and may discuss this creative process for more than a year. It highlights their tacit understanding and persistence in the art of fragrance.
Creativity plays a unique role in the brand, but beyond that, Chaya considers craftsmanship to be another brand’s unique DNA. They adhere to the belief that what is created over time will be respected by time. The brand pays attention to details, but it’s not just details, it’s details that create experiences. He said: "We do not present ourselves in a flamboyant or arrogant way, but pursue a pleasant experience for users. We regard fragrance as a free work of art, eliminating any dogma about fragrance and treating it as For something very personal and intimate. Fragrance is an intangible accessory that allows you to express multiple aspects of yourself. This unique brand quality allows the user to feel more and is found in every bottle. Unique story and soul.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is more than just a fragrance brand, Chaya described them as creating an ecosystem that provides users with an artistic space. “Users can enter places like the Perfumer’s Garden, or we can show them Kurkdjian’s conversations with other artists. We don’t just provide a brand concept, but create stories that are authentic and full of beauty. I believe this is what attracts people The reason for entering our fragrance world.”
Handmade fragrances have become a growing trend in recent years. Regarding the future of the entire fragrance industry, Chaya believes that the success of fragrance will depend more on the respect and recognition of perfumers. The brand is named after the perfumer, emphasizing the talent behind the fragrance. In his view, the industry can only achieve greater success if users recognize the talent of perfumers. He pointed out, "In the future, the industry should value creativity, not just market trends and instant success. Success cannot be just a concept today, because it will be outdated tomorrow. The only thing that will not become outdated is creativity, which provides unexpected surprises. Able to set trends and inspire.”
He also believes that some brands still do not respect perfumers and this will need to change. "One of my biggest wishes is for perfumers to receive more recognition for their work, including legal protection. Today, fragrance formulas are not effectively protected and this needs to change. I firmly believe that when the industry fully embraces When perfumers are given due recognition for their creativity and legitimacy, this is key to the development of an industry and an important step towards the future,” he said.
Cooperation is like an artistic dialogue
Maison Francis Kurkdjian has collaborated with other brands from time to time. He believes: "In the journey of brand growth, we do not regard cooperation as a simple collaboration, but as a dialogue. Joint rides are regarded as It is a marketing technique that creates buzz by connecting with other brands. In contrast, we see that collaboration is an ongoing dialogue, especially in the art field,” he continued, “dialogue between artists has always existed. , just like the friendships between painters in the past, Kurkdjian hopes to still maintain this connection, he is always talking to other artists, trying to achieve resonance through various forms of creativity. We apply this concept to fragrance. Think of it as more than just a scent in a bottle, but as part of an overall artistic expression.”
The brand has always been expanding into diversified products beyond fragrance. Chaya emphasized: "From the beginning, we have firmly believed that fragrance is a part of life. We will continue to focus on the concept of fragrance life and expand product lines so that people can maintain fragrance through different ways. This includes spraying on the skin Or on clothing, home candles, etc. Our goal is to allow people to spread charming scents anytime and anywhere, and integrate fragrance into their lives." As for the new products to be launched, he revealed: "Recently, we have expanded the range of home fragrances. We are developing a home diffuser for our product line. I have personally tested them and shared them with my friends, and the feedback has been very good. They are expected to be released this year or next. At the same time, we are also working hard to expand the body care series, and new products may be available at any time. release."
These words are exactly the core of the brand: treating fragrance as an art and integrating creativity and life. From the brand's cooperation methods to the diversification of products, it all demonstrates the emphasis on creativity and dialogue. Let us experience the artistic beauty brought by fragrance and integrate it into our daily life to become an indispensable part of our lives.
