David Lev Jipa-Slivinschi’s journey into the world of fragrance began far from traditional perfumery. Born in Bucharest with Russian and Ukrainian roots, he initially worked as a filmmaker and screenwriter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his creative direction shifted significantly. In search of a more immediate and physical medium, he discovered fragrance as a powerful way to tell stories—one that connects directly to memory and emotion.

As a self-taught creator, he deliberately avoids the traditional title of “perfumer,” which he associates with formal training and rigid expectations. Instead, he embraces his unconventional path as a form of creative freedom. His background in film strongly influences his work, with each fragrance conceived as a narrative experience rather than a simple product.

In 2022, he founded the brand Toskovat, a name rooted in Slavic language that conveys a sense of longing and emotional heaviness. The brand quickly gained international recognition, with features in publications such as Vogue UK and The Wall Street Journal. He describes his creations as “extracts of memory,” designed to evoke forgotten emotions and universal human experiences.

Jipa-Slivinschi’s work is intentionally provocative, pushing the boundaries of what fragrance can be. His most talked-about creation, Inexcusable Evil, exemplifies this approach. Inspired by the horrors of war, it incorporates unconventional notes such as gunpowder, blood, and concrete. Despite its commercial success, the creator himself describes it as disturbing—a statement rather than a wearable fragrance.

Other creations follow a similarly narrative-driven approach. Age of Innocence contrasts sweet notes like cotton candy and strawberry with gasoline and metallic accords, symbolizing the loss of youth. Last Birthday Cake attempts to capture the collective memory of every birthday cake experienced over a lifetime.

A defining aspect of his work is the use of unusual and often controversial elements such as plastic, cannabis, and blood accords. He challenges the distinction between natural and synthetic materials, viewing all scent notes as imaginative constructs.

With this radical perspective, Jipa-Slivinschi is part of a growing movement in niche perfumery that prioritizes artistic expression over commercial appeal. His work demonstrates that fragrance can do more than please—it can provoke, narrate, and deeply move.