I was saddened to learn that perfumer Olivier Pescheux passed away on July 10 in Paris after battling a long illness. He was only 57 years old, too young to leave us. Olivier was one of the first perfumers I met when I first became interested in fragrance, and he was supportive of my interest. I found him down-to-earth and charismatic.
Born in Paris in 1966, Olivier started his perfumery career in Bangkok after graduating from ISIPCA. He also worked at Annick Goutal and Kao Corporation, but most of his work was done at Givaudan. Olivier was well known for his expressive, distinctive style and his successful masculine fragrances. It was he who designed the best-selling Paco Rabanne One Million scent.
Some of Olivier’s most interesting work can be found at Diptyque where he created Orphéon, Fleur de Peau, and Eau Mohéli. I also suggest trying Parfums de Marly Herod, Montblanc Explorer, and Roberto Cavalli Precious Leather. Olivier’s style lent itself to fragrances of different genres and types. “I want my fragrance to tell a story, but above all, I want to make the wearer feel good,” he told during one of our last meetings in Paris. Olivier, you will be missed.
My condolences to Olivier’s family and his colleagues.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
6 Comments
Princess Tonk: Fleur de Peau is a genius and wonderful skin scent but I was never familiar with its creator. Another sadness. July 14, 2023 at 9:11am
Prudence: Thank you for posting, Victoria, and giving us a platform to share our own memory of Olivier. I met him in the Givaudan Paris XVI HQ about nine years ago. He was interviewing me but I was young and impressed and felt he had so much more to share than I did… so I ended up interviewing him instead, but who cares? The Japanese artifacts in his office and the elegant stole around his neck have stayed with me. July 14, 2023 at 10:42am
Aurora: It’s very sad, it’s a beautiful tribute, I wear Eau des Sens every summer. July 14, 2023 at 11:35am
joan ramirez: Tragic that a talented man died so young. July 14, 2023 at 11:53am
ElaineLG: Thank you for such a lovely dedication to Monsieur Pescheux. He was a talent taken away from the fragrance world too soon. I will remember him every Autumn and Winter when I wear one of my favorite perfumes, Divine Vanille by Essential Parfums. Such a lovely and deep scent just like the perfumer himself. Rest in Peace dear Olivier. July 14, 2023 at 10:36pm
Mel: Thank you for sharing this news, sad as it is. It is important to know the names of the creative artists, in any field, who brought beauty, inspiration, and revelation into our lives. July 16, 2023 at 1:20am