Podcast · Arts & Books

Making Scents Make Sense

by Thomas Dunckley · English · Arts & Books

Making Scents Make Sense is a podcast all about demystifying the complex world of fragrance hosted by multi-award-winning Fragrance Expert Thomas Dunckley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 55 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 8 minNew

Born From a Heartbeat with D'Orsay Paris Co-Founder Amelie Huynh

D'Orsay Paris is a historic fragrance house. Originally founded in 1830 by Alfred D'Orsay, it was recently revived when jewellery designer Amelie Huynh bought the house in 2015. Amélie has transformed the house into a contemporary fragrance brand that stays true to the romantic spirit of the house, whilst offering fragrances that feel entirely modern. In this episode we talk about Amélie's relationship to fragrance, how she works with perfumers to create the D'Orsay fragrances and why their personalities play such a huge part in the process. You can find out more about D'Orsay on the brand's…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S4 · E6 · 7 Oct 2026 · 54 min
The Olfactory Archivist with Perfumer and Brand Founder Maya Njie
Maya Njie is a singular talent within the fragrance industry. She is a self-taught perfumer who creates fragrances inspired by photographs from her family archive (as well as photographs she has taken herself), celebrating her dual Swedish and Gambian heritage through her work. Her work is rich with emotion, with vivid olfactory colours, shapes, and feelings. In this episode we talk about Maya's journey to becoming a perfumer and how she interweaves visual and olfactory elements. We also sniff some highlights from her collection, including the Art & Olfaction Award winning Aethi Opum. You…
S4 · E5 · 30 Sep 2026 · 54 min
Behind Every Fragrance is a True Story with Master Perfumer and AKRO Co-Founder Olivier Crisp
Born in Grasse to a family who has been in the fragrance trade since the 17th century, Olivier Cresp was destined to be a perfumer. Throughout his illustrious career he has created some of the most famous fragrances on the market: the likes of D&G Light Blue, Kenzo Amour, YSL's Black Opium and most famously, he is the man behind Thierry Mugler's Angel. In this episode we talk about Olivier's first perfumery creation at 8 years old, the creation of Angel and how its secret may be simplicity. We also talk about AKRO, the addictive niche brand he founded with his daughter. It's a must listen.…
S4 · E4 · 23 Sep 2026
It All Starts With Storytelling with Celine Roux Head of Fragrance at Jo Malone London
Have you ever wondered who is behind all of the fragrances at one of the UK's biggest fragrance brands? Well in the case of Jo Malone London, the answer is Celine Roux. Starting out in product development for makeup at brands like Dior and Estée Lauder, Celine has found a home at the eccentrically British brand Jo Malone London, heading up their fragrance development. In this episode we talk about her career, where her ideas come from, and how she partners with some of the best perfumers in the world to create rich, evocative scents that tell quintessentially British stories. You can find…
S4 · E3 · 16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Invisible Objects of Desire with L'Objet Brand Founder Elad Yifrach
L'Objet is an interior design brand that creates unique, beautiful objects. Created by interior designer Elad Yifrach, L'Objet isn't just a homeware brand, it's a fragrance brand too. Elad has worked with perfumers Yann Vasnier (Givaudan), Jean-Claude Ellena (independent) and Cecile Zarokian (independent) to create a distinct, rich, bold, sexy, and fun collection of fragrances quite unlike any other. In this episode we talk about Elad's approach to scenting spaces, fragrance development, and more. You can find out more about L'Objet on the brand's website: https://uk.l-objet.com/ Follow…
S4 · E2 · 9 Sep 2026 · 51 min
Raw Materials & Raw Talents with Ex Nihilo Co-Founder Benoît Verdier
Few fragrance brands are as innovative and have a cult-like following as Ex Nihilo. They aim to create fragrances entirely from scratch (in line with their brand name) and have paired with some of the industry's greatest perfumers to execute this vision. In this episode I speak with brand co-founder, Benoît Verdier all about the ethos of Ex Nihilo, the brand's creative process, and their exciting new launch, Demon Dancer. You can find out more about Ex Nihilo on the brand's website: https://www.ex-nihilo-paris.com/ Follow Ex Nihilo on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exnihiloparis/…
S4 · E1 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
Take all the Beauty and Break all the Rules with Givaudan Perfumer & French Cowboy Co-Founder Ashley Santiago
Ashley Santiago is the youngest perfumer at the fragrance house Givaudan. She's also the co-founder of the rebellious perfume brand French Cowboy. In this episode, Ashley and I talk about how summers in Mexico helped shaped her relationship with scent, her love of both Paris Hilton and Serge Lutens, her journey into perfume and training at ISIPCA / Givaudan's Perfumery School, and how she collaborates with key people in culture to make fun, artistic fragrances at an affordable price point. You can find out more about French Cowboy on the brand's website: https://frenchcowboy.com/ Follow…
S3 · E13 · 17 Jun 2026 · 56 min
The Beautiful Intensity of the Sun with Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas
There are few perfumers in the fragrance industry more legendary than Alberto Morillas. He's the man behind olfactory hits such as Armani's Acqua di Gio, Calvin Klein's CK1, Estée Lauder's Pleasures, Mugler's Cologne, Kenzo's Flower, and many, many more. He also has his own brand, Mizensir, within which he explores the art of perfumery in beautiful ways. In this season finale, I speak with Alberto about his 50+ year career, his passion for the sun, his love of simplicity, and his creative process. We also speak about his brand new creation for Mizensir: the wonderfully luxurious Chiffre…
S3 · E12 · 10 Jun 2026 · 59 min
The Role of the Evaluator with MANE Fragrance Development Managers Ashna Roy and Julie Fwok
What does an Evaluator do? The role of the Evaluator (or Fragrance Development Manager, as they are more often called) is a crucial part of the fragrance development process. They're the conduit between the brand and the perfumer, translating the brief between both parties to ensure that the client gets a fragrance that smells exactly the way they want it to. In this episode I speak to Ashna Roy (Senior Fragrance Development Manager) and Julie Fwok (Fragrance Development Manager) at the fragrance house MANE all about their roles, upcoming fragrance trends, and how culture impacts our…
S3 · E11 · 3 Jun 2026 · 55 min
Looking to the Past for the Future with Ninth Generation Perfumer Louise Farina
Farina 1709 is the oldest fragrance house in the world. Based in Cologne, Germany, Farina has been producing fragrance for over 300 years. In this week's episode, 9th generation family perfumer Louise Farina joins me to talk about how she is balancing heritage and innovation, respecting the past of the house, whilst building an exciting future. You can find out more about Farina on the brand's website: https://farina1709.com/en Follow the brand on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farina_cologne/ Louise's emotional connection scent is the scent of jasmine. --- This episode of Making…
S3 · E10 · 27 May 2026 · 55 min
New Earth with Olfactive O Brand Founder Olivia da Costa
Olfactive O is a unique niche fragrance brand that puts fragrance personalities at the centre of everything they do, even putting them on the labels found on the bottles. It's a collaboration between Creative Director Olivia da Costa (the "O") and a top secret perfumer (the "Olfactive"). In this episode, I speak with Olivia about the inspiration for the brand, how she met her perfumer and their creative process, as well as sniffing their brand new launch New Earth, which has been 10 years in the making. You can find out more about Olfactive O on the brand's website:…
S3 · E9 · 20 May 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Standing the Test of Time with Ormonde Jayne Brand Founder Linda Pilkington
Linda Pilkington is one of the early pioneers of niche fragrance. Launching her brand Ormonde Jayne 25 years ago, Linda has created a beautifully luxurious range of perfumes with a number of cult classics. Ormonde Jayne perfumes are entirely free of gimmick and showcase unusual ingredients that few other brands use. In this episode I speak with Linda about her journey into perfumery, her creative process, and how Ormonde Jayne has stood the test of time in an ever-evolving market. You can find out more about Ormonde Jayne on the brand's website: https://ormondejayne.com Follow the brand on…
S3 · E8 · 13 May 2026 · 49 min
Foug-érring on the Side of Caution with Perfumer and NOSU Brand Founder Jacob Grainger
Jacob Grainger is a self-taught perfumer and co-founder of British indie brand NOSU. Alongside his wife, Lucy, Jacob has created a unique fragrance brand that blends the olfactory and visual arts. In this episode, Jacob and I talk about his background in flavours and how he has created a brand that has a distinct impact, both in terms of olfaction and visual aesthetic. We also talk about some of the intriguing art projects he has worked on. Find our more about NOSU on their website here: https://www.nosuparfum.com/ Follow NOSU on instagram: h https://www.instagram.com/nosuparfum/ Jacob's…
S3 · E7 · 6 May 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Daddy!! with Fragrance Writer, Podcaster, and Host Haydn Williams
Haydn Williams is a fragrance writer and host of the popular Man in the Mirror Podcast. He's a man of many talents, straddling the music and perfumer industries, and occasionally bringing the two together. Through his work on his podcast and through various panel discussions he has hosted, Haydn has found himself a bit of a niche: speaking to men about their grooming and fragrance habits, which means he is uniquely positioned to speak about how men are buying and experiencing fragrance in 2026. In this episode we talk all about Haydn's career and how men, specifically younger men, are…
S3 · E6 · 29 Apr 2026 · 48 min
Fertile Ground with Perfumer & Brand Founder Nancy Meiland
Nancy Meiland is a perfumer and the founder of an eponymous fragrance brand. She started her career as an actress but found her way into perfumery through her work with perfumers such as Anastasia Brozler and Lyn Harris. She has crafted a unique and beautiful brand that feels rooted in the natural world, telling emotional olfactory stories through her work with some of the industry's top perfumers. In this episode we talk about Nancy's beginnings in the industry and her approach to perfume making, with a focus on her most recent launch, the out of this world (by name and smell) Iris Nebula.…
S3 · E5 · 22 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Simplicity is Absolute Sophistication with Essential Parfums Founder Géraldine Archambault
Géraldine Archambault is the founder of the innovative and disruptive niche brand Essential Parfums. For Essential Parfums, simplicity is key and they achieve something many brands do not (or at least, seem unwilling to do): they work with the greatest perfumers to make beautiful fragrances at an affordable price, all packaged up sustainably. It's a fantastic proposition and in this episode I talk to Géraldine about how she achieved this as well as sniffing through some of the brand's hero fragrances. You can find out more about Essential Parfums on the brand's website:…
S3 · E4 · 15 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Sweaty Ballsacks with Perfumer and Papillon Artisan Perfumes Founder Liz Moores
Liz Moores is a perfumer unlike any other. She creates deeply personal, rich, and complex perfumes that tell beautiful stories, transporting the wearer to world's unknown. Her brand, Papillon Artisan Perfumes, consists of a collection of scents that feel inspired by classic perfumes of the past, presented in a modern context. In this episode I ask Liz about her creative process and some of the personal stories behind her fragrances, and why she's so attracted to animalic materials. It's a really fun, insightful conversation. You can find out more about Papillon on the brand's website:…
S3 · E3 · 8 Apr 2026 · 51 min
Invisible Accessories with Content Creator and Anforh Brand Founder Robin James
Robin James is best known for his website, YouTube channel, and Instagram/TikTok presence as Man For Himself. He writes/speaks about grooming, hair care, skin care, body care, and fragrance. You might know him from his street interviews, where he asks men about the clothes and fragrances they are wearing. He's also the founder of Anforh, a hair care and fragrance brand, which boasts a collection of three fantastic fragrances (Aire, Kist, and Sorn) inspired by his native Scotland. In this episode I speak to Robin about his career, the fragrances men are wearing, and how he developed his own…
S3 · E2 · 1 Apr 2026 · 58 min
Demo Accords with Perfumer and Author Pia Long
Pia Long is the perfumer at and co-founder of independent British fragrance house Olfiction. She is known for her unique and expressive style of perfumery, pulling from nature, history, and popular culture to create unique, evocative, complex, and most importantly, fun fragrances. She has created for her own brand Eau de Boujee (co-founded with Nick Gilbert) as well as Zoologist, Beaufort London, Vallense and more. Pia has just published a unique and fascinating book: Demo Accords. It's all about perfumery as a form of protest and in this episode I talk to Pia all about the inspirations…
S3 · E1 · 25 Mar 2026 · 58 min
Respect the Nature of the Absolute with Perfumer and Matiere Premiere Brand Founder Aurelien Guichard
Aurelien Guichard grew up right in the heart of perfumery: in Grasse. His father (Jean Guichard) was a famous perfumer and his mother a sculptor. His family grew roses. He did not have your typical upbringing - his was uniquely scented. In this episode I speak with Aurélien about his work as a perfumer and a grower of materials, and how he has turned his hand to create a unique fragrance brand, where he places absolute focus and respect on the raw material. You can find out more about Matiere Premiere on the brand's website: https://matiere-premiere.com/en Follow the brand on instagram:…
S2 · E13 · 22 Dec 2025 · 52 min
Smell as a First Language with Master Perfumer Sonia Constant
Sonia Constant is a Master Perfumer working at Givaudan and is the nose behind bestselling fragrances for brands such as Thierry Mugler, Tom Ford, and Narciso Rodriguez. She's also the only female Master Perfumer to have her own fragrance brand - the remarkable Ella K. Ella K puts travel at the centre of its storytelling, with a fictional heroin traversing the globe to capture olfactory landscapes (using Givaudan's ScentTrek technology) and turning them into perfumes. In the season finale of Season 2, I speak with Sonia all about her creative process and how it differs when creating for her…
S2 · E12 · 17 Dec 2025 · 58 min
Olfactory Troublemaking with ERIS Parfums Brand Founder Barbara Herman
Barbara Herman is a perfume lover turned author turned perfume brand founder. Her adoration for vintage fragrances has really informed the style of fragrances she creates alongside perfumer Antoine Lie for her brand ERIS Parfums. Named after the goddess of mischief and troublemaking, ERIS is a brand that subverts expectations of what a fragrance can be, pushing the boundaries and leading to olfactory excitement. In this episode Barbara and I talk about her love for vintage scent, her creative partnership with Antoine Lie, and how perfume can be political. You can find out more about ERIS…
S2 · E11 · 10 Dec 2025 · 34 min
Custodians of Heritage with Floris London Perfume Director Edward Bodenham
Very few fragrance houses can say they've been in business for almost 300 years, but Floris London can. Dating back to 1730, Floris London has been a fixture at 89 Jermyn Street in London for 9 generations. For almost three centuries they've been making fragrances and scented luxuries for a customer base that includes kings, queens, prime minsters, actors and musicians. In this episode, I speak with Edward Bodenham, a ninth-generation member of the Floris family and the brand's current Perfume Director. We speak about the history of the brand and how it navigates the modern perfumery…
S2 · E10 · 3 Dec 2025 · 47 min
Bringing Technology Into the Consumer Conversation with KAORIUM CEO Ben Janoušek
With 8,000+ fragrance launches per year, consumers have never had so much choice. Whilst choice is great, it can be tricky to cut through all that olfactory noise and know where to start when discovering new fragrances. Enter KAORIUM and The Scent Sommelier™, whose aim it is to make fragrance discovery easier using AI technology. In this episode I speak with KAORIUM CEO, Ben Janoušek all about the large language model at the heart of their technology and how it is used, not as a replacement for sales staff, but as a tool to enhance their interactions with consumers, leading to richer…
S2 · E9 · 26 Nov 2025 · 49 min
Fragrances With Main Character Energy with SOKI LONDON Brand Founder Sophie King
Sophie King went from being a fragrance creator on YouTube to starting her own fragrance brand, SOKI LONDON. She is a fragrance lover who turned her passion for perfume into a career. Her fragrances have "main character energy" (her words, not mine) and she's worked with British perfumers to create a unique fragrance brand that caters to people who love scents with bold personalities. In this episode, Sophie talks about her journey from YouTuber to brand founder, where her love of fragrance started, the challenges of starting a fragrance brand, and how being a part of The Fragrance…
S2 · E8 · 19 Nov 2025 · 47 min
Dive Deep Into the Olfactive Imagination with Goldfield & Banks Australia Brand Founder Dimitri Weber
Dimitri Weber is not your typical fragrance brand founder. Born in Belgium, he worked in the fragrance industry at brands like Cartier and YSL before finding himself making a home all the way down under in Australia. For his brand, the unique Goldfield & Banks, it's the natural botanicals of the Australian continent that form his inspiration. In this episode Dimitri and I chat all about his adopted home and how its flora and fauna, which often feel alien and unique, serve as constant inspiration. We also chat about the brand's most recent launch, the delightfully rich, powdery and textural…
S2 · E7 · 12 Nov 2025 · 39 min
Creating Community Through Content With Fragrance Creator Lucy Sun
Lucy Sun is a fragrance content creator who has formed a community of scent lovers online through their popular Nosevember series. It's their aim to make fragrance accessible and relatable simply by talking about it. In this episode we talk about how to create community on social media, how their Nosevember series has changed over time, and how queer history and fragrance overlap. Follow Lucy on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smell.the.artwork Lucy's emotional connection scent is Le Mat by Mendittorosa. --- This episode of Making Scents Make Sense is sponsored by Kaorium. I’m all about…
S2 · E6 · 5 Nov 2025 · 40 min
Born in an Opium Bottle with Roos & Roos Co-Founder Alexandra Roos
Alexandra Roos co-founded the unique fragrance brand Roos & Roos with her mother, Chantal Roos. Chantal is an industry legend who is responsible for the creation of iconic, blockbuster scents such as YSL's Opium, Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey and Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle. Alexandra is a trained musician, songwriter and composer and alongside Chantal, she has crafted a really special brand that explores the relationships between scent and music, mythology and more. In this episode we talk all about Alexandra's early exposure to fragrance and how she approaches creation, both in the realms…
S2 · E5 · 29 Oct 2025 · 52 min
Concepts From the Here and Now with 27 87 Brand Founder Romy Kowalewski
Romy Kowalewski is the founder of Barcelona-based niche fragrance brand 27 87 and she approaches perfume creation in a way that is unfussy and without gimmick. She presents her fragrances in a clean, simple aesthetic that allows the scents to speak for themselves, and boy, do they have interesting things to say. In this episode we talk all about Romy's journey into starting the brand, how she was scent-aware from a young age, sniffing the products made in her parent's bakery, her views on dupes, and what the future holds for this most intriguing of brands. Follow 27 87 on instagram:…
S2 · E4 · 22 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Perfume and Packaging in Parallel with Product Designer Vincent Villéger
How important is a perfume's packaging? Is it all really about the juice? In this episode I'm joined by Vincent Villéger, an independent product, retail and packaging designer who has worked with a number of fragrance brands (Givenchy, YSL, Issey Miyake, Ataratma, Lili Bermuda) to create their perfume bottles and packaging. He also worked in house at Burberry for 8 years as Director of Packing Design under the tenure of Christopher Bailey. We talk all about how he has found a niche in the fragrance world and how he works with brands to design and manufacture bottles that represent their…

About Making Scents Make Sense

Making Scents Make Sense is a English arts & books podcast from Thomas Dunckley. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Thomas Dunckley
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 55 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1810074471
Rights: Thomas Dunckley

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English arts & books

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.