Jean-Paul Guerlain

Jean-Paul Guerlain is a renowned perfumer and a member of the Guerlain family, one of the most prominent names in the perfume industry. He was born on October 9, 1937, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and is the grandson of Jacques Guerlain, the famous perfumer who created classics such as Shalimar and Mitsouko.

Jean-Paul Guerlain began his training in perfumery at a young age, following in his family's footsteps. At the age of sixteen, he lost his sight and had to drop out of school. He spent his time at home, developing his sense of smell and honing his skills in perfumery.

In 1955, at the age of 18, Jean-Paul Guerlain began working for the Guerlain company, where his uncle, Jean-Jacques Guerlain, mentored him. He learned the art of perfumery from the ground up, starting as a bottle washer and working his way up to become a master perfumer.

Jean-Paul Guerlain's talent for creating fragrances was recognized early on, and he went on to create many of the brand's modern classics. In 1959, he created Vetiver, a scent that would become a signature fragrance for the brand. He went on to create many other popular fragrances for Guerlain, including Samsara, Champs Elysees, and Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca.

In addition to his work as a perfumer, Jean-Paul Guerlain was also involved in the management of the Guerlain company. He served as the company's chairman from 1988 to 1996 and was instrumental in the brand's international expansion.

Jean-Paul Guerlain was the last family master perfumer. He created Guerlain's classic men's fragrances Vétiver (1959) and Habit Rouge (1965). He also created Chant d'Arômes (1962) and Chamade (1969). From 1975 to 1989, he collaborated with perfumer Anne-Marie Saget, composing Nahema (1979), Jardins de Bagatelle (1983), Derby (1985) and Samsara (1989).[3] His later work includes Héritage (1992), Coriolan (1998) and Vétiver pour Elle (2004). Jean-Paul Guerlain retired in 2002, but continued to serve as advisor to his successor until 2010, when he was terminated after making a racist remark on French television regarding the inspiration for his scent Samsara.[4] With no heir from within the Guerlain family to take over, the role of master perfumer is no longer tied to family succession.

In a decision widely seen as a break with tradition, the Guerlain family sold the company to the luxury goods conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) in 1994. Though Jean-Paul Guerlain remained as an in-house perfumer until 2002, other perfumers were brought in after 1994 to compose perfumes for Guerlain, and Jean-Paul had to submit his compositions against those of others. Fans of the house viewed the LVMH purchase as a step towards the cheapening and commercialization of the legendary firm's legacy. Most were unhappy with the first post-LVMH release, the 1996 sweet mimosa floral Champs-Elysées, composed by Olivier Cresp, whose entry was selected over that of Jean-Paul Guerlain.
*fragrances listed for reference only, not sold at Fumerie

DERBY Guerlain
NAHEMA Guerlain
SAMSARA Guerlain

bio via fragrantica and wikipedia, photo via kafkaesqueblog.com