ParfumPlus

These materials add a distinctive lift, energy, and modernity to my creations. Fine fragrance, on the other hand, helps me soften compositions and bring elegance, depth, and complexity. It also offers the opportunity to work with beautiful natural ingredients, which adds richness and refinement to the final perfume. PP: YOU OFTEN CITE SANDALWOOD AS A FAVOURITE ACCORD. WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A POWERFUL AND MEANINGFUL NOTE WITHIN YOUR OLFACTORY PALETTE? FJ: Sandalwood can be expressed through natural ingredients or through modern synthetic materials such as Javanol or Bacdanol, to name just a few. This diversity gives me great flexibility and allows me to work with sandalwood across many different applications and fragrance types. I particularly enjoy how its character can be shaped in multiple directions — from a drier, woody, structural profile to something softer, milky, floral, or even subtly rosy. This ability to transform and adapt makes sandalwood an endlessly inspiring material in my creations. PP: RELOCATING TO DUBAI MARKED AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN YOUR JOURNEY. HOW DID THIS MOVE RESHAPE YOUR CREATIVE IDENTITY AND BROADEN YOUR SCENT PERSPECTIVE? FJ: When I first arrived in Dubai, I was truly struck by how central fragrance is, to the culture of the region and to everyday life. Perfume is not simply an accessory here, but an essential form of expression and identity. This discovery had a profound impact on me creatively, opening my mind and unlocking new olfactive possibilities that I had never previously considered. PP: WHEN BEGINNING A NEW COMPOSITION, WHAT GUIDES YOU FIRST: EMOTION, INGREDIENT, BRIEF, OR NARRATIVE, AND WHY? FJ: Whenever I create a fragrance, I always begin with the final objective in mind. My approach is largely guided by the brief and the client's expectations, which provide a clear creative framework. From there, I focus on identifying the key ingredients that will allow the concept to take shape, ensuring the fragrance delivers both performance and emotion. These ingredients become the foundation through which I build a narrative, translating the idea behind the brief into a scent that feels meaningful and expressive. PP: FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT MAJOR SHIFTS ARE CURRENTLY SHAPING GLOBAL FRAGRANCE CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND EXPECTATIONS? FJ: The Middle East market is increasingly shaping the global fragrance landscape. It is now inspiring perfumery worldwide through its creativity, boldness, and willingness to push boundaries. We see more and more Middle Eastern brands leading the market and expanding internationally. This shift is fascinating to observe, reflecting how ”When I first arrived in Dubai, I was truly struck by how central fragrance is, to the culture of the region and to everyday life“ P A R F U M P L U S 36