How to Build a Career in Fragrance According to Veronique Gabai

“I didn’t know scent could be a profession, but I knew I could feel the world through my nose. The scents of the sea, the roses grown in Antibes and Grasse, the orange blossoms in my garden, the pastries of my childhood… all were an enchantment.”

“I studied business and was hired by L’Oréal. After two years working in makeup, I was offered a position in fragrance. Then it all started to make sense, as if the stars were aligning. I loved it so much, I trained myself in the craft after work hours for years. I ended up deeply experienced in both the business of fragrance and the art of making perfume, collaborating closely with perfumers who became friends, understanding raw materials at the source, and how scent can affect your mood and attitude.”

“I did take a few big risks in my career, creating perfumes that would transform the category, like Aqua di Giò, or identifying trends long before they became mainstream. But I think creating my brand is the most insane risk I’ve ever taken. It’s the biggest financial and emotional bet. This is a bet with myself. I needed to express my vision and philosophy. And when a fire is burning inside, at some point, one must transform it into an engine of personal growth.”

“The most underestimated part of building a fragrance brand is time. Unless you have pre-built awareness or distribution, it takes a long time to make a brand known and a perfume tried. You build connections one by one, client by client, store by store, perfume by perfume. Patience, determination, resilience and positive energy are part of the game.”

“At the core of my brand is the idea of sunshine, literal and emotional. I wanted to bring people the experience you feel under the gentle sun of the Côte d’Azur. My perfumes are part luminosity, part sensuality. They give you a glimpse of the sensations, places and plants that grow there, and more importantly, they help you keep your own inner sunshine, made of love, joy and peace. Nature makes you feel good. We use a very high concentration of natural ingredients, all sourced ethically and sustainably. When you wear the perfumes, you’ll feel an aura of light around you, and deep wellbeing inside.”

“Gender. Usage. Occasion. Wear the perfume you like, no matter what people say. Your personality is unique. Your emotional and cultural background is unique. Your skin is unique. Your scent must be yours. Close your eyes when you smell. If you’re smiling inside, then the scent is made for you.”

“I walk in nature and observe trees, plants and life. I go to an art exhibition. I sit at a café and watch people. All in all, I let my mind go, and my soul replenish. Then ideas start to flow again.”

“It smells like sunshine.”