François Demachy
"A perfumer must be able to smell his imagination. He has to be able to perceive something that doesn't yet exist."
Born in Cannes in 1949, François Demachy grew up in Grasse, the world cradle of perfume. In this town, bathed in the scent of jasmine and roses, he became familiar with the world of olfaction at a very early age. His father, a pharmacist, introduced him to the raw materials, but it was while working at Mane, a major perfume manufacturer, that he truly discovered his vocation. He gave up his studies in dentistry and physiotherapy to embrace the subtle art of olfactory composition.
Keen to deepen his knowledge, he enrolled at the Charabot perfumery school, where he honed his sense of olfactory accords and structures. After five years of rigorous apprenticeship, he joined Chanel as Director of Research and Development. During this period, he took part in the creation of fragrances for Chanel, Ungaro, Bourjois and Tiffany, putting his expertise and quest for excellence at the service of the house.
In 2006, he became a legend when he was appointed Parfumeur-Créateur at Dior. In the laboratories of the prestigious house, he breathes new modernity into iconic compositions. He gave birth to masterpieces such as Sauvage, the embodiment of ardour and raw nature, Miss Dior, a vibrant tribute to femininity, and Dior Homme, a subtle alliance of strength and elegance. At the same time, he has lent his nose to Fendi and Acqua di Parma, brands belonging to the LVMH group, relentlessly pursuing his olfactory exploration.
A passionate craftsman, François Demachy is an alchemist of essences, attached to tradition while cultivating innovation. His love of natural raw materials from the fields of Grasse has guided his work and forged his style. After more than fifteen years spent reinventing the codes of perfume at Dior, he is stepping down in 2021, leaving behind him a priceless olfactory legacy.
