David Apel’s journey to becoming one of America’s most respected perfumers began in an unexpected place—the gas chromatography lab at Givaudan in 1980. Raised in Ringwood, New Jersey, his early experiences in the forests and coastal landscapes of New England shaped his deep appreciation for natural ingredients. His background in environmental chemistry provided the scientific grounding that would later support his creative work.
The shift from analyzing fragrances to composing them marked a defining moment in his career. In 1991, Apel began his training with the American Society of Perfumers, followed by several years in Paris (1993–1997), where he refined his craft alongside leading European perfumers. This blend of American perspective and European training gave him a distinctive creative freedom, which he likens to that of a “cave painter”—bold, intuitive, and exploratory.
Apel’s philosophy is rooted in continuous evolution. “Art is seldom finished,” he often says. Rather than focusing on intricate details, he favors strong, expressive compositions. This mindset led him to explore unconventional notes such as birch leaf and oceanic accords, which were groundbreaking at the time. His willingness to challenge conventions has consistently resulted in innovative yet commercially successful fragrances.
Since 2007, Apel has served as V.P. Senior Perfumer at Symrise, where he continues to drive innovation. He played a key role in the development of Philyra, an AI-powered fragrance creation system, which he sees as a major step forward in the future of perfumery.
