In 2003, Francis Kurkdjian and Marc Chaya met at a dinner after a Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture fashionshow. The former was already a recognized perfumer and an eclectic, prolific artist. The latter was a consultantin a renowned international firm, had a keen head for figures and a passion for the arts. In 2009, they felt that the time had come to set up Maison Francis Kurkdjian, an artistic and entrepreneurial joint venture. Quite naturally, Marc Chaya took the helm of the company and the management of the US subsidiary
Since Maison Francis Kurkdjian opened in September 2009, they have travelled the world, together andseparately, as messengers of a perfume house, the likes of which have not existed for a century. Authenticcreations. Authentic commitments. And an authentic expression of a freedom that encompasses the values they both hold dear.
CEO and Co-founder
Marc Chaya is the energy and business force behind Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Deeply convinced thatperfumers are fully fledged artists, who warrant a place center-stage in the art world, Marc Chaya defined along-term strategy combining creativity and business.
In the years before 2009, Marc Chaya had had a fast-track career with global professional services firm Ernst& Young. He started out as an auditor there at the age of 24 before joining the business advisory department. He became an Ernst & Young Partner in a record nine years, an achievement that normally takes 15. At just 32, he was appointed Global Telecommunications Markets Leader, heading Ernst &Young’s global telecoms business from 2005 to 2009.
Marc Chaya sits on the board of several charity organizations and actively rallies the French businessélite in the fight against Aids/HIV. And, until 2013, he taught Corporate Finance at the prestigious Frenchbusiness school HEC. Born in Beirut in 1973, Marc Chaya graduated from EM Lyon, a leading French business school. He holds a degree in economic science, and a Masters in Banking and Finance from ParisSorbonne University. He has been living in France since 1994 and has both French and Lebanese citizenships.
Perfume creator, Art Director and Co-founder
1969 Francis Kurkdjian was born in France
2001 Opened a made-to-order perfume workshop
2003 Met Marc Chaya
2008 Appointed “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres”
2009 Opened Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Between 1995 and 2013 …
Francis Kurdjian has designed more than 40 fragrances for luxury and fashion brands.
Among the best-known are: Le Mâle for Jean Paul Gaultier, and then Fragile, Ma Dame, Puissance2, and LeBeau Mâle for the same designer, Armanie Mania, For him by Narciso Rodriguez, Rumeur for Lanvin, Cologne for Dior, Kouros for Yves Saint Laurent, Rose Barbare for Guerlain, Le Parfume for Elie Saab, Le Parfum for Carven, Fleur de Figuier for Roger & Gallet.
He has worked on artistic projects with:
Sophie Calle, the Sèvres ceramic works, Sarkis for Nuit Blanche in Paris and re-created Marie-Antoinette’s
perfume for the Château de Versailles.
His installations and olfactory performances include:
Grandes Eaux Nocturnes, Versailles
Grand Palais in Paris, European Museum Night: Noctambulles Universal Exhibition in Shanghai: Lille Europe and France Pavilions Florence, Italy: La Luce Degli Innocenti
Grand Palais in Paris, Garden art: Flora Tournicota
2015 is a year full of exciting news for Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Besides the twenty year career anniversary of Francis Kurkdjian, the fragrance house celebrates its six years anniversary with,amongst other, the opening of a second Parisian boutique and its entry into Comité Colbert, whichgathers French luxury houses and several cultural institutions who work together to promote Frenchart de vivre at international level.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is the second youngest house to integrate this prestigious association,which now includes 81 members, 14 associate members and six non-French European members.This entry will be effective on January 1st, 2016.
« With Francis Kurkdjian, we are proud of the path we have accomplished, which allows us today tojoin the beautiful members of the Comité Colbert, whose values and mission resonate with our choicesand the reasons of our perfectionism » explains Marc Chaya, CEO and Co-Founder.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is currently present in 36 countries and around 400 points of sale including its two Parisian shops: 5 rue d’Alger, Paris 1 and 7 rue des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris 4.
Key dates
1969 Birth of Francis Kurkdjian
1977 Studies classical ballet and piano
1990 Enters ISIPCA (International Perfumery School)
1995 Signs his first perfume: Le Mâle by Jean Paul Gaultier
2001 Sets opens up his made-to-order bespoke perfume workshop fragrance atelier
2009 Opens Maison Francis Kurkdjian and its boutique
Artistic collaborations
2003 ‘L’odeur de l’argent’’ (the smell of money) designed with Sophie Calle
2004 Ballet olfactif (olfactive ballet) with Christian Rizzo for Fondation Cartier
2005 Re-creation of Queen Marie-Antoinette’s perfume
2006 Creation of a fragrance for the 250th anniversary of Cité de la céramique at Sèvres
2012 ‘Toi et moi, une rencontre’’ with Nicolas Degennes, scented fountain for the Festival International des Jardins atChaumont-sur-Loire
2012 ‘‘L’Or Bleu’’ with Yann Toma, Espace EDF Bazacle at Toulouse
2012 ‘‘Du côté de chez Jacques-Emile Blanche, un salon à la Belle Epoque’’, olfactory ambiance for the exhibition atFondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent
2014 ‘‘Mawtini’’ with Hratch Arbach for Nuit Blanche
Olfactory installations and performances
2006 Versailles Off: Soleil de Minuit
2007 Nocturnal water show at Versailles: Chutt d’Eau and PréamBulle
2008 Nocturnal water show at Versailles: Le roi danse
2008 Make music at the French Embassy’s Cultural Department in New York
2010 Shanghai Exhibition – World expo: the Lille Europe and the France pavilions
2010 NoctamBulle for the European Museum Night at the Grand Palais in Paris
2011 Florence, Italy: La Luce Degli Innocenti
2013 Flora Tournicota for l’Art du Jardin at the Grand Palais in Paris
2014 Biennale des Antiquaires at the Grand Palais in Paris
2015 Milan Exhibition – world expo, the France / Lille Europe pavilion: Stratus 2015
Awards
2001 Winner of the François Coty Perfumer’s award for life time achievement
2008 Winner of the Perfumer of the Year Oscar – Cosmétique Magazine
2008 Knighted ‘‘Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres’’ by the French Ministry of Culture
A “jewel” in the heart of Paris
The Boutique is inspired by the covered passageways and galleries of old Paris. It is a showcase for the perfumed world of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, including custom-made fragrances and special orders departments. Playing ontrue and false, it catches the eye and reaches the mind by marrying craftsmanship, talent and artistic affinities.
Bottles and packaging
Paris, with its grey, zinc roofs and golden domes, inspired the interior design of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Art director Fred Rawyler used these codes to draw the line’s visual identity. Combining ancient and contemporary, he designed the fragrancebottles inspired by a precious flacon found in a luxury antique travel case. He worked the glass as if it were crystal: sharp angles and a flat base, without the curves that dull the lines. The modern clean-cut design allows the transparency of the glass to expressitself. And in a nod to the master glassmakers, a hallmark-stamp on the back of the bottle signs the “work of art”.
The luxury packaging is full of surprises. The protective outer box, embossed in gold, is recyclable. Within, a sheath fits snugly around the bottle. It is only as you open it to discover the precious flacon that the beautifully hotstamped gilded lining is revealed.
Music and Decor
Francis Kurkdjian imagined a “shop window” that would delight passers-by “as if it were Christmas every day”. He asked set designer Jean Hugues de Châtillon to create a “pas de deux” between Paris and perfume. Artist Anne Lévine adorned theboutique’s ceiling and counter with gold leaf to echo the shimmering gold of the domes of the Paris landscape. Sound designer Béatrice Ardisson composed the boutique soundtrack, including a recording of Ravel’s “Pavane pour uneInfante Défunte” (Pavane for a Dead Princess), especially interpreted by pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque for Francis Kurkdjian.
APOM
APOM stands for ‘A Part Of Me’, a part of oneself offered to others. The inspiration for his perfume was a sirocco wind blowing from the East. A tribute to the beauty of the men and women of the Mediterranean shore. It’s a scent to beshared, a fragrant blend of colors, aromas and moments, reflecting that warm, bewitching beauty that one keeps close. The gentleness of orange blossom and the strength of cedar wood, both symbolic of tenderness.
APOM femme
Powdery – woody – floral
Orange blossom from Tunisia – cedar wood from Texas – ylang-ylang from Madagascar
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Extrait de parfum Elixir, 4 roll-ons of 5 ml – 0,17 fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
APOM homme
Powdery – herbal – floral
Orange blossom from Tunisia – cedar wood from Texas – aromatic amber
Eau de toilette natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Also
Scented ‘‘photophore’’ candle, with a zinc base, that will last 40 hours
Interior perfume for the home natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Incence Paper, a pull box containing 25 pre-cut strips ready for burning, matches included
Aqua Universalis
Musky – floral – citrus
An eau de toilette for a host of uses. An addictive fragrance that creates an olfactory connection between the skin and clean linen, between sheets and fresh air, between big and small, between men and women. Aqua Universaliscan be used in a variety of ways for different purposes that match and complement one another. A delicate waft of fragrance for your skin, for the home and for your linen.
Bergamot from Calabria – citron from Sicily – lily of the valley – mock orange blossom – light and musky woods
Eau de toilette natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Eau de toilette natural spray, 200 ml – 6,8 fl.oz. (not available in Russia)
Aqua Universalis forte
Musky – floral
The same addictive freshness with a forte. Forte adds tenfold remanence, sparkle and intensity to the charm of tradi- tional Aqua Universalis. A concentrated eau de parfum rather like an extract. A perfume that vibrates on the skinlike gold in summer.
Aqua Universalis formula is bosted with green bergamot from Calabria, absolutes of Egyptian jasmine and Moroccan roses and light woods sustained by a powerful musk
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Eau de parfum Elixir, 4 roll-ons of 5 ml – 0,17 fl.oz.
Aqua Universalis – Body care
A pleasurable bath and body experience with an invigorating shower cream and a nourishing and moisturizing body cream. A day full of energy and freshness with its feast of white flowers and citrus, like a sunshine caress on the skin.
Scented shower cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
Aqua Universalis – Art de vivre
Scented concentrated liquid wash for light colours (20 machine washes), 1 L Scented concentrated liquid wash for dark colours (20 machine washes), 1 L Scented concentrated fabric softener, 1 L
Scented ‘‘photophore’’ candle, with a zinc base, that will last 40 hours
Incence Paper, a pull box containing 25 pre-cut strips ready for burning, matches included
Lumiere Noire
This creation was born from two words that serve an image. It blends the shock and the visual miracle with an olfactory duel. Rose is usually worlds apart from patchouli, just as light is the opposite of dark. Together, they produce a flash oflightning that makes heads turn. Opposites come together, pulled by an invisible thread, for a unique and vibrant expression of senses.
Lumiere Noire femme
Rose from Bulgaria – spices (cumin from Russia and pimento from India) – patchouli from Indonesia – narcissus
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Extrait de parfum Elixir, 4 roll-ons of 5 ml – 0.17fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
Lumiere Noire homme
Rose from Bulgaria – spices (cumin from Russia and cinammon from Ceylon) – patchouli – mugwort herb
Eau de toilette natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Also
Scented ‘‘photophore’’ candle, with a zinc base, that will last 40 hours
Interior perfume for the home natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Incence Paper, a pull box containing 25 pre-cut strips ready for burning, matches included
Pour le Matin
Cologne
Powdery – herbal – citrus
The lingering, fragrant warmth of your pillow. A floral, leafy ballet whose fragrance is awakened by the slightest touch.
The perfume is released like distilled aromatic notes and dew.
Bergamot from Calabria – lemon from Sicily – white thyme from Morocco – lavender from Provence – orange blossom from Tunisia, in an unctuous, fresh powdered blend.
Absolue
Woody – floral – citrus
The dew gives way to daylight, whitening all the surrounding colors. A tender, but powerful aromatic zenith. The Absolue is in the same spirit as the Cologne for the morning, but has been reworked into an eau de parfum, with a moreconcentrated structure, shaped by an accord with iridescent woody, dry amber and violet flower.
Pour le Soir
Cologne
Musky – amber – oriental
The magic of nightfall, enveloping, reassuring. An amber constellation that invites dreams. A scent for dinner, a late-night
supper, a wood fire or just for sheer pleasure.
Benzoin infusion from Siam – Bulgarian rose honey – incence absolute
Absolue
Spicy – woody – oriental
When the night takes on its own life, the tempo changes, linger till dawn, keep your head in the stars. You’re suspended in time. In the same spirit as the Cologne for the evening, Absolue has been reworked as an eau de parfum.
The structure is more concentrated, more sophisticated with an accord of ylang-ylang from Madagascar, Russian cumin, Moroccan cedar and sandalwood.
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Eau de Cologne natural spray, 200 ml – 6,8 fl.oz. (not available in Russia)
Also
Scented ‘‘photophore’’ candle, with a zinc base, that will last 40 hours
OUD
Spicy – woody – oriental
The oud that gives its name to this creation comes from Laos, where it grows the purest, the rarest and the most expensive. This natural raw material, somewhere between wood and lichen, is this century’s ambergris. It can no more beoverlooked than the iris from Florence or vetiver from Haiti.
It took Francis Kurkdjian a while to tame oud’s animal nature, to welcome this prince of Arabian perfumes as a charis- matic newplayer in his perfumer’s palette. From that point on, its story was sketched between the fine-grained sand of thedesert dunes, the fragrant harmattan wind and the star-studded night – an Arabian perfume born from a western sensitivity.
Francis Kurkdjian has found some new travelling companions for this fragrant giant: cedar wood from the Atlas Moun-
tains and Indonesian patchouli. Delicate saffron and whimsical elemi gum add sparks to its opulence.
Its palace is a bottle of One Thousand and One Nights crowned with a golden dome, and set in an exquisite box like a projecting Arabian latticed window. Bewitching, narcotic, mysterious, it is both feminine and masculine.
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
OUD mood
The OUD mood collection reflects all the sources of inspiration Francis Kurkdjian found during an alone together with this exquisite raw material. He imagined them as feelings, sensations, rather like those one would have when wrapped in a fragrant stole. They play on glimmer, comfort and warmth. They are precious, intense and concentrated.
Velvet mood
Oud – woody – spicy
The majestic, enveloping Velvet oud gives the sensation of density and fluidity. Together, cinnamon from Ceylan, saffron and Brazilian copahu balm combine to release the fragrance of the oud.
Extrait de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Silk mood
Oud – woody – rose
This silky oud is a light, airy fragrance reminiscent of the soft touch of a rose petal. It is full of charm and mystery, sketched in Bulgarian rose, with blue chamomile from Morocco and papyrus.
Extrait de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Cashmere mood
Oud – woody – oriental
This Oriental fragrance is woven with all the gentleness of a “second skin”, soft and balmy. The Oud is enhanced with
Moroccan labdanum, Laotian benzoin and vanilla. Extrait de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz
Amyris
The head in Jamaica and the heart in Florence, Amyris evolves somewhere between the blaze of the sun and the vibrations of the earth, and expresses the fire of the setting sun. The Amyris duo was born from an encounter between resin and rhizome,brought together in two vibrant creations.
Fragrant affinities
Amyris is a sweet-smelling tree, which contains an unctuous orange-yellow resin whose fragrance is gentle and slightly powdery. The Florentine iris contributes rhizome, a rare and much sought-after raw material. It takes but one tiny drop ofrhizome to make a pleasant fragrance sublime. The amyris and iris blend together to form the Amyris duo with a blaze that is particular to each.
Amyris femme
Floral – woody
Luminous lemon flower, Californian orange, Jamaican amyris, Florentine iris, Haitian vetiver, musky amber
Eau de parfum natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
Amyris homme
Woody – aromatic – fresh
Rosemary from Morocco, Sicilian mandarin, Jamaican amyris, Florentine iris, Brazilian tonka bean absolute
Eau de toilette natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Aqua Vitae
A space between us
Aqua Vitae was inspired by life, that irresistible attraction shared by billions. A magic breath, a fragrance between one- self and another person, between you and me, a space between us. Like the shiver of pleasure on the back of the neck justbefore something wonderful occurs. A perfume-based Yin and Yang, at once fever and fulfillment, with masculine in the feminine and feminine in the masculine.
Aqua Vitae is fresh despite the heat of its spicy top note, its waves of tonka bean, its vanilla caresses where the
Calabrese lemon dances and the Sicilian mandarin plays.
The dazzling sun that shines through it is known as hedione. It is carried by guaiac wood, which casts a spell and guarantees it stays in your memory. Carnal by nature and delicate in essence Aqua Vitae triggers an irresistible desire for gentle kisses on the nape of the neck. It produces something of a tiny miracle: caressing the senses and relaxing the body, making it as easy as breathing for the skin to smell good.
Citrusy – woody – musky
Lemon from Calabria, mandarin from Sicily, tonka bean from Brazil, vanilla infusion, hedione and guaiac wood.
Aqua Vitae, Eau de toilette, natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
Aqua Vitae, Eau de toilette, natural spray, 200 ml – 6,8 fl.oz. (not available in Russia)
Aqua Vitae – Body care
Scented shower cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz. Scented body cream, 150 ml – 5 fl.oz.
féminin Pluriel
masculin Pluriel
The quest for an eternal feminine and masculine inspired the creation of the ‘Pluriel’ collection, the new opus in
Francis Kurkdjian’s fragrance wardrobe.
féminin Pluriel and masculin Pluriel. A beautiful creation composed of a multitude of facets, designed to evolve with freedom and sensuality, unbound from fleeting fashions. A challenge to time and a search for timelessness, therecognizable quality of major classics.
feminin Pluriel
Chype – floral
A grand floral bouquet that unfolds from Florentine iris to violet, from Grasse rose to Egyptian jasmine, from lily-of- the-valley to orange blossom. It is upheld by the simplicity of chypre accents blending a vetiver note with patchouli from Indonesia.
masculin Pluriel
Leather – woody – fougere
A fougère accord, the trademark of major men’s classics, set off by the depth of lavender absolute from Provence and a soft leathery accord built on an architecture of cedar wood from virginia, patchouli from Indonesia and vetiver fromHaiti.
féminin Pluriel, Eau de parfum, natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz. masculin Pluriel, Eau de toilette, natural spray, 70 ml – 2,4 fl.oz.
À la rose
An ode to femininity
À la rose is a declaration of love for all women captured in a fragrance. Queen of flowers, the rose knows no boundaries and has inspired those in the creative arts since the dawn of time. Poets, painters, musicians… and perfumers alike. All have sought to capture its aura, its magic and its secrets.
A rosy duo in one fragrance
Two varieties of rose have bestowed the radiance and richness of their petals on this Eau de parfum: two hundred and fifty Centifolia roses from Grasse (May Rose) in the form of an absolute produce a very floral base note with sweet honeyed and carnal accents. One hundred and fifty Damascena roses from Bulgaria in the form of an essential oil create a top note with a playful blend of pear and lychee.
À la rose has the crisp tenderness of rose petals, a whimsical free-spirited style and an elegance that radiates femininity. Floral – woody
Rose Centifolia from Grasse, rose Damascena from Bulgaria, bergamote from Calabria, orange from California,
accord of violet and magniolia blossom, woody cedar and musk accord. À la rose, Eau de parfum, natural spray, 70 ml
Globe Trotter
In 2013, Francis Kurkdjian went around the world three times, hopping from continent to continent for a total of
25,000 miles travelled. Boarding times, flights, jetlag – feeling like it should be daytime in the middle of the night and vice versa… It all started him thinking about a convenient, eye-catching travel accessory. The result is a traveller’scompanion for all time zones, a special case to cradle the perfumer’s olfactory visions.
Globe Trotter travel spray case – zinc or gold edition.
Measurements: 3,8 inch x 1,47 inch – Weight : 4,59 oz, – 0,29 pounds
0.37 fl.oz. refills, sold separately in boxes of 3
Fragrances available: Aqua Universalis – Aqua Universalis forte – Aqua Vitae – APOM femme – APOM homme – Lumière Noire femme – Lumière Noire homme – Amyris femme – Amyris homme – OUD – OUD Cashmere mood – OUD Silkmood OUD Velvet mood.
The fragrance wardrobe
A simple look at the scented treasures of Maison Francis Kurkdjian is enough to throw the senses into turmoil. Lovers of the beautiful will not remain indifferent to the elegance before their eyes. The joy of giving will thus be as intense as thejoy of receiving.
Discovery collection for her
Aqua Universalis, Aqua Universalis Forte, Aqua Vitae, OUD, APOM femme, Lumière Noire femme, Amyris femme,
féminin Pluriel
0.37 fl.oz. refills to be used only with Globe Trotter travel case
Discovery collection for him
Aqua Universalis, Aqua Universalis Forte, Aqua Vitae, OUD, APOM homme, Lumière Noire homme, Amyris homme,
masculin Pluriel
0.37 fl.oz. refills to be used only with Globe Trotter travel case
Bespoke perfumes and special orders
Francis Kurkdjian has been creating bespoke perfumes for a private clientele since 2001. It was only natural to set up a special orders departement with the launch of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Here, he expresses himself freely and finds anattentive audience for the most imaginative olfactory desires.
He has already created a range of perfumed candles and a number of fragrances specifically for luxury hotels and spas.
Just as with his ‘traditional’ creations, a phone appointment is all that is required to shape the project. Then, several meetings with the man himself and his team, who follow the project from start to finish, handling the logistics and graphics.
Delivery times depend on the order
Special orders tailor-made by Maison Francis Kurkdjian:
Centenary anniversary fragrance for the Trianon Palace a Waldorff Astoria Hotel Interior perfume for the launch of MonteCarlo 74, a line of private yachts Perfumed candles for the Sezz Paris and Sezz StTropez hotels
Perfumed bubbles for the 14th anniversary of Colette’s boutique in Paris
Eau de parfum 754, for the 111th anniversary of Bergdorf Goodman NYC Extrait de parfum Coloratura, Exclusively to Tsum and Gum in Moscow
