Givaudan VP Perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux generously returns to the Perfume Room to offer a definitive roadmap to the past, present, and future of perfume. Bookmark this ep. You'll come back to it.

Rodrigo is a fragrance genealogist of sorts, tracing your favorite perfumes’ parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He offers a rare perfumer's POV on the current landscape: What’s trending? Why? What even qualifies as a trend? Should we care? And what's happening in the world today that will shape how fragrance smells tomorrow?

WATCH THE FLORSTALGIA PANEL (coming this Fri)

LISTEN TO EP. 136 (linked below)

THANK YOU TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR THE RACONTEUR!

10% off full bottles of The Raconteur @ Stéle: code 'emma10'

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Sol de Janeiro, Phlur, Burberry Goddess, 27 87 Hakuna Matata, Mary Kay Velocity, Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild, Vacation Inc, Arquiste Tropical, Cire Trudon Merida, ARQUISTE Esencia de El Palacio Guayabos, Chanel No. 5, Guerlain Shalimar, Lanvin Arpège, Schiaparelli Shocking, Robert Piguet Bandit, Balmain Vent Vert, Carven Ma Griffe, Givenchy L’Interdit, Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps, Madame Rochas, Rabanne Calandre, Eau de Lancome, Eau de Patou, Eau de Guerlain, Estée Lauder Estée Super, Revlon Charlie, YSL Opium, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, Balenciaga Prelude, Estée Lauder Cinnabar, Fendi, Giorgio, Dior Poison, Ralph Lauren Polo, Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir, Davidoff Cool Water, New West, Calvin Klein Escape, Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey, Mugler Angel, Tom Ford Oud Wood, Donna Karan Black Cashmere, Clinique Happy, Isabell Calla, Ungaro Diva, Florstalgia: Violet, Carnation; YSL Paris, Eauso Vert Fruto Oscuro, Le Galion Bourrasque, Thom Browne: Vetyver & Brut, Vetyver & Rose; Xinu: OroNardo, Copala; ARQUISTE: A Grove By The Sea, Tropical; Roberto Greco Porter Sa Peau

Cécile Zarokian is one of the greatest independent perfumers of all time, but she wasn’t always independent, and she hadn’t always planned on becoming a perfumer, either.

Today, she’s in the Perfume Room sharing how she’s redefined the rules of the game, turned her greatest challenges into strengths, and found the CZP edge—her proverbial captive if you will—that helps her compete with (and win against) the industry’s biggest players.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Yves Rocher, Lancome Magie Noir, Acqua di Parma, Chloe, Amouage Epic Woman, Granado Bossa, Electimuss Vanilla Edesia, Amouage Attar collection, Nishani Ani

SOTD: St. Rose Juliet in White

Thank you to this month's sponsor ⁠The Raconteur⁠!

emma10 for 10% off Raconteur bottles @ ⁠Stele⁠ (now - 7/31)

SUBSCRIBE: perfumeroom.substack.com for Smell Club updates!

FOLLOW CÉCILE:

IG: @cecilezarokianparfumeur

TikTok: @cecilezarokian

IMAGINE THIS: You're a partner at one of the world's top law firms. It's what you've worked towards your entire career. Would you walk away from it all for the chance to chase your true creative calling? Craig Andrade, founder of Aussie niche fragrance brand, The Raconteur, did. This is his story.

10% LISTENER DISCOUNT! ⁠stele.nyc⁠ | code: emma10

(valid (on The Raconteur full bottles only) through end of July)

FRAGS MENTIONED:

The Raconteur: Raconteur 2X, No Tell Motel; TLY 5755, Raconteur: KILLR VANILLR, Pavlova Kasanova, Miss Macadamia, Lord Lamington, Daintree Rain Tea

THANK YOU TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR, THE RACONTEUR!!!

Spotify listeners: vote in poll for which scent most intrigues you (I will do a full review on the top-voted scent)!

DISCLAIMER: This episode’s guest is also this month’s sponsor. The sponsorship was arranged after the guest was booked. Sponsorships have no bearing on editorial content. While this episode includes paid promotional content for the sponsor’s products, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.