Interview With Parfumeur Blaise Mautin

It’s not everyday one flies to Paris,
smells an enchanting fragrance
created by Blaise Mautin
permeating a palace, impulsively
sends off a complimentary email,
and winds up invited to tea with
the highly acclaimed parfumeur.

However, this is indeed how my life as a writer rolls.

Although (regrettably!) I could not
join the artful parfumeur for tea,
he graciously indulged me
with an interview.
I’m so grateful.

Obvi another visit to Paris MUST happen
in order to see the lovely lab up close and personal!

MR: Working
in a secret Parisian lab sounds glamorous. Can you describe a typical work day?

B: Elaborating. Smelling. Discovering new products. Ordering at my lab in Grass.

Everyday working with different oils to be able to create more
scents.

Monsieur Mautin creates signature scents for

luxury hotels such as the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome

whose products above were my first introduction

to his magnificent nose and commitment

to excellence.


Crystal bottles adorned with jewels are works of art.

Further research revealed his signature bespoke
scents are created for individuals as well…albeit
a very exclusive club who spare no expense.

MR: The
olfactory signature concept is lovely and makes perfect sense (and scents). I
would imagine in addition to science, you must possess a keen gift for
intuition since your art involves the assembly of something personal,
meaningful, timeless and transportive for your clients. Is intuition key to
your creative process?

B: Intuition and know how are the key
words.

I also have to listen closely in order to understand

what the person in front of
me wants,

hoping that my work will match.


The packaging is elegant as well.

Before perfume, Mautin was bringing
joy to customers at Au Nain Bleu,
the oldest (1836), fanciest, largest toy store
owned by his family in Paris.
It was here he was inspired
to create magical memories
with perfume.

La fourgonnette bleue

MR: The
perfume bottles, jewelry, and packaging accompanying your ‘made to measure’
fragrances read as beautiful art pieces. Are they designed by you as well?

B: Yes. I design all of the concepts myself and then seek various manufacturers to execute what I have in mind.
 (Have a look at my website and video to see the process.)

MR: What
three things are inspiring you at the moment?

B:
Exclusive opportunities such as developing a new line for Kempinski Hotels worldwide,
with Resense Spa, and a complete new line for the Park Hyatt Paris
Vendome.

 With Hiroki Nakamura, he developed a fragrance for Visvim.

MR: Traveling to exotic locations must be critical
as a parfumeur. Do you enjoy this aspect?

B: Very much
because I meet with other people and other cultures,

and it is always an
incredible experience.

A few years back, the parfumeur joined
forces with a Paris chef to explore 45 spices
with accompanying recipes and wrote a cookbook…
I need an edition in English!


MR: A few
years back, you co-authored

 LE CUISINIER ET LA PARFUMEUR containing
45 original
and creative recipes.

Do you have a favorite from the book or one you have
discovered recently?

B: The work I did with the Chef
for that book (Jean-Marc Notelet) was terrific,

and I learnt so much. The recipe I want to
work on now is the traditional

veal Blanquette…so yummy yummy.

Bordeaux’s Wine Cultural Centre (opening 2014)
“Neither a museum nor a theme park, but an original concept
which lies somewhere in between.”

MR: Congratulations
on the honor of working as the perfume designer for

Bordeaux’s official museum of wine which will open in 2014…
can you offer a glimpse of what such an undertaking involves?

B: It is indeed such a great honour to work for this project,
and it is also super exciting to discover new crafts
such as architecture and oenologue.

Thank you, Blaise!

* * *

Can you smell the sweet scent of success
of this creative parfumeur’s dream career?

And would you care to be among the 400,000
visitors annually to the Bordeaux Museum of Wine
beginning in 2014?

Peace to you right where you are.

michele

Follow:

25 Comments

  1. November 6, 2012 / 12:52 am

    What an incredible experience! I'm obsessed with scents and the creation of the most unique, original, personal fragrances. Wonderful post-thank you for sharing this amazing interview. And yes, I would go, in a heartbeat!
    Cheers, Heather
    http://www.stylemindchic.blogspot.com

  2. November 6, 2012 / 5:31 am

    this has been such an education for me about fragrance–i have always been so sensitive to perfume and a little afraid of it. to learn about the art of it…the science too…is eye opening.

    🙂

  3. November 6, 2012 / 5:42 am

    Wow Michele!! This is amazing and YES I'd like to visit 🙂 Gorgeous pictures!

    xx
    leslie

  4. November 6, 2012 / 10:54 am

    That is wonderful and I´d love to visit! 🙂

  5. November 6, 2012 / 12:27 pm

    Such a lovely and interesting post, Michele. Just the bottles alone are enough for me. I will have to look further.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  6. November 6, 2012 / 12:54 pm

    Michele it sounds like you had a great visit in Paris! Wine museum? Really? Sign me up!

    XXX
    Debra~

  7. November 6, 2012 / 1:16 pm

    Girl you are living my dream. I have been to Paris only once in my lifetime. I was in the 8th grade on a class trip. I would love to return as an adult now..LOL. My nephew's name is Blaise. Not a name you hear often but I love it. I may have to look this perfume up sometime and give it a try.
    Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

  8. November 6, 2012 / 1:25 pm

    I would love to smell this fragrance! What a chic blog you have!!!!

  9. November 6, 2012 / 1:51 pm

    Wowser…what a fabulous opportunity!! Can almost smell the delicious fragrances…

  10. November 6, 2012 / 2:33 pm

    Fabulous interview and worthy of a trip to Paris soon. Such artistry, so glamorous–what an interesting job!
    Thanks for your kind words–things are finally getting back to "normal" here!
    xxBarbara

  11. November 6, 2012 / 2:50 pm

    What an interesting interview. I would love to have a perfume created for me and I would also love to visit the Bordeaux wine museum – must make a note of it.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

  12. November 6, 2012 / 3:01 pm

    The art of creating scent is so fascinating. Great interview. A trip to Bordeaux next? XO

  13. November 6, 2012 / 3:03 pm

    fascinating perspective on an equally fascinating man and career.
    lovely interview
    debra

  14. November 6, 2012 / 9:12 pm

    yep, so fascinating. and no, i can't imagine having a one of a kind made to measure scent–one of the last incredible luxuries i guess.

    🙂

  15. November 6, 2012 / 10:15 pm

    Michele how amazing. I am all about a beautiful scent and would love to have one mixed up for me by a parfumeur. What a luxury that would be. There is a perfumery in Carmel that does this, I am sure not to the caliber of Mr.Mautin, but someday I hope to visit there and have a signature scent made for me.
    I did visit Guerlain and was able to purchase one of their lovely scents while in Paris. That reminds me, I should do a post on that!! Fun seeing all of your Paris secrets, my sweet friend,
    xo Kathysue

  16. November 7, 2012 / 12:59 am

    Michele, what a fascinating post! Scents are so personal and very telling about a person. It is intriguing to see how they are conceptualized and then made. I love the quote, "intuition and know how are the key words"… such an art!
    I should have been a "nose"! I have the most acute sense of smell! Very very interesting!

  17. November 7, 2012 / 12:22 pm

    Those perfumes looks like they really do smell good just by its bottle. Packaging truly helps is selling it to the public. The unique bottles captivates the consumer. I don;t know why but it just does.
    Designer Gumboots

  18. November 7, 2012 / 3:25 pm

    What a neat experience. I love Paris, it is really the land of everything beautiful.

  19. November 7, 2012 / 4:13 pm

    i'm not sure if i articulated clearly enough: these fragrances are not for sale to the public. his is not a commercial company. rather, he creates an exclusive, luxury, made to measure magical potion at a pretty penny (way too pretty for this freelance writer!).

    🙂

  20. November 9, 2012 / 7:35 pm

    Oh wow, Michele, what a fabulous interview and what a fabulous opportunity for you!! You must must go back now, no excuse 😉 Make a pit stop in England while you are at it!! Gorgeous xxx

  21. November 11, 2012 / 7:33 pm

    How exciting!
    big hug to you
    hx

  22. January 29, 2013 / 12:55 am

    Wow…how fun is this and the bottles are beautiful…loved reading about the process!!

    • Michele
      Author
      November 12, 2019 / 9:25 am

      Thanks for the heads up. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing