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 includedAqua 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 includedLumiere 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 includedPour 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 hoursOUD

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.ozAmyris

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 mlGlobe 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 caseBespoke 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