Parfum, Sculpture of the Invisible - Francis Kurkdjian

 

Yesterday I went to a special exhibition celebrating 30 years of

Perfume creation by Francis Kurkdjian 

At Palais de Tokyo. 

This capsule exhibit is only up for a month 

Ending November 23, 2025. 

You can get free tickets at the Kerkdjian website.

Each olfactory installations and scented object has an accompanying perfumed paper touché 

You can collect in a folder given at the entrance.

Young Kurkdjian decided to become a perfumer at age 14 after seeing a Yves Montant film, LE SAUVAGE. 

He went to perfume school, ISIPCA in Versailles,

And remains connected with Chateau Versailles on many collaborations,

His first creation at age 24, LE MALE for Jean-Paul Gaultier is still one of the most popular perfumes for men.

He has sought ways to combine his sensory talents with all the arts, 

Creating special perfumes for art exhibitions, like the 2010 Monet retrospective at Grand Palais.

Even dripping perfume directly on sheets of photographic paper to make vibrant patterns.

Combing scent with music 🎵 

Is another obsession.

Collaborating with chef Anne Sophie Pic on these divine saffron and passion fruit chocolates we tasted,

Before entering an area of sound, light and moving sculpture.

A facsimile of Kurkdjian’s working studio-office

Is a revelation 

Of taste and secrets. 

Like seeing the books 📚 on his shelves.

Kurkdjian is currently the perfume Creation Director at Dior, as well as running his own house.

He is particularly renown for his Baccarat Rouge 540.

The exhibit is a wonderful immersion into perfume if you are in Paris at the moment.