Founder of L’Orchestre Parfum Pierre Guguen is both a musician and perfume developer and has been working on the alchemy between music & perfume. With 15 years of experience playing in music bands & 8 years of learning to create new perfume stories with leading groups and cool brands (Comme des Garçons, Viktor & Rolf…) has given him the experience needed to take us on a melodic journey of the senses.
Pierre Guguen - L’Orchestre Parfum
IRK: Tell us a little bit about your brand. It is not another niche perfume brand, it is a perfume band.
Pierre Guguen: Artisans, Musicians & perfumers working hand in hand in labs and on stage to create new fragrance experiences and open possibilities of polysensoriality. We launched it end of 2017 and are present across 20 countries in the most luxurious and perfumeries and greatest department stores.
IRK: What do you think we will learn from this extraordinary time and how will it affect you/your business/your life.
First of all, we will learn the word humility. We are so used to be in control of everything nowadays, and this crisis shows us this control is over. Patience is another concept that we have to learn and tame in times where the ‘I want it now’ is a religion. It will affect everything around us for the best I hope. Yes, I am super very optimistic person. We will also discover the era of ‘covid washing’. There will be the brands who play a fair game and the others who will pretend to.
IRK: And now the easy ones:
Favourite Colour? Blue-grey
When you were growing up what did you want to be? John Connor in Terminator 2
Name the place you’d most like to live? Barcelona – Lived there 5 years and dream to come-back
What’s the first thing you want to do when you come out of Lockdown? 1- Mountain Hike & 2- party with my friends
You’re hosting a dinner party what’s your signature dish? Ticinese Risotto
Dogs or Cats? Cats
What was your nickname at school? Pierrot
Most influential person in your life? Kurt Cobain
If you could go back in time to which period would you go to? I love the present
Name an Instagram account you follow. Jeromeniel he makes me laugh every day
Favourite museum or gallery Museo Picasso Barcelona, by far. I go everytime I am in Barcelona
If money were no object, what luxury item would you buy yourself? Time
Favourite album (music) Mulatu of Ethiopia – Mulatu Astatke
Person you’d love to meet? Picasso
Describe your ultimate romantic date. Vérona, spring time, old palazzo with view on the river, live piano playing some Keith Jarret & Nina Simone tunes, and a fine dinner
You are happiest when……. Lou smiles
What makes you sad? Erik Satie songs
If you could change one thing about the world. No more « low battery »
What’s the first thing on your bucket list? Play L’Olympia in France with L’Orchestre Parfum
What have you learnt during lockdown? Nature rules. Period.
Book shop or record Shop? Le silence de la Rue, Paris
Name your favourite book? Le K, Dino Buzzati
Pet hate (a pet hate is something that you don’t like so for example my pet hate is when people drop litter) ‘I told you so’
Prize Possession My tiger’s eye stone aquired in Deira old Dubai, always with me
How many tattoos/piercings do you have? 0
Gym or Jim Beam? Gym
What colour are your eyes? Light Brown
Junk Food - what is your dirty secret Double Whopper
What’s your poison? (what do you like to drink) Burgundy – Haute cote de nuit
Describe your morning routine. Wake up early. Freshly pressed orange & lemon juice. Exercise on the balcony watching the Alps mountain and sun rise.
Where do you call home? South West of France a place called Villeneuve sur Lot
What makes you laugh? Donald Trump
What perfume/aftershave do you use? Shower with an artisanal vetiver soap from como lakes & then Piano Santal
What’s your favourite season and why? Early spring. Happiness in the air. The feeling everything is possible again.
Describe the wildest night out you’ve ever had. Barcelona, every after show with my music band.
What opportunity have you turned down? Go work in Hong Kong 14 years ago
Have you ever been arrested? Yes.
Favourite Quote? ‘We gonna need a bigger boat’, Jaws
First live band you went to see? Miles Davis
Biggest Regret? Being only 6 years old during question 39.
Describe something that you are proud of Our strong collaboration & links with socio educative musical schools
Describe yourself in 3 words. Sensitive. Artistic. Papa
Favourite film. Down by Law – Jim Jarmusch
How many pairs of shoes do you own? I force myself to have 10 max in my closet
Describe a favourite walk Barcelona from San Antonino to Forum crossing Raval and along the beach
Tell us what’s in your bag/pockets Keys, coins and notes on a perfumed blotter
Who was the last person you called? Matthias, talented Guitarist & beautiful human
What’s the tune/band that you are listening to the most? Tinariwen during lockdown, makes me travel immediately
What’s your cure for a hangover? 45 minutes run
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Interview by Syrett
Discover more about SYRETT through his website here, or keep up to date with his Instagram @syrettartist. Visit Runway Gallery here or follow their Facebook and Instagram @runwaygallery.
