Jérôme Epinette’s passion for fragrance was shaped in the wine regions of Burgundy, where he was exposed early on to the complexity of aromas. His first conscious encounters with perfume took place in his mother’s boutique, where at the age of twelve he discovered the iconic scent Giorgio Beverly Hills—a defining moment that sparked his lifelong fascination with fragrance creation.

After earning a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Burgundy, Epinette refined his craft at the prestigious Grasse Institute of Perfumery. He began his professional career at Robertet in 2003, quickly rising through the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Perfumery.

A pivotal moment came in 2006 when he relocated to New York to help establish Robertet’s Creative Center, placing him at the heart of the global fragrance industry and expanding his creative horizons.

Epinette’s artistic philosophy centers on creating “something new and distinctive” through refined, minimalist compositions in which every ingredient serves a precise purpose. He blends exceptional natural raw materials from Robertet with innovative synthetic molecules, resulting in modern, unexpected olfactory creations. This approach has made him a sought-after perfumer for niche brands seeking strong and unique identities.

Among his most notable achievements is his long-standing collaboration with Byredo, for which he created many of the brand’s signature fragrances, including Bal d’Afrique, Pulp, and Gypsy Water.

He has also achieved major commercial success with the fragrance behind Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (Cheirosa 62), which became a global phenomenon.

More recent works such as Pier NY highlight his talent for modern aquatic compositions, while Bo showcases his mastery of woody-resinous accords.

His innovative approach has earned him numerous industry awards, including being the only two-time recipient of the Fragrance Foundation’s “Perfume Extraordinaire” award. His portfolio spans a wide range of olfactory families—from fresh, luminous compositions to rich amber-vanilla creations such as Somnia 517.

Epinette firmly believes in the synergy between natural and synthetic ingredients, where synthetics add complexity while enhancing and connecting natural materials.

His influence extends far beyond individual creations. Epinette has played a key role in shaping the modern niche fragrance landscape, translating brand visions into distinctive olfactory identities and establishing himself as a true architect of contemporary fragrance culture.