Mackenzie Reilly was born and raised in New York in a creative environment—her father a renowned filmmaker, her mother working in advertising. Her passion for perfumery began at the age of 16, when she encountered Dzing! by L’Artisan Parfumeur. Its unusual, circus-inspired composition sparked her fascination with the emotional and narrative power of scent.

While studying at Trinity College, Reilly explored the anthropology of fragrance, examining how scent shapes cultures, religions, and even language. After gaining experience at the luxury publishing house Assouline, she joined International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in 2010. In 2013, she was accepted into the prestigious IFF Perfumery School, where she trained in New York, Singapore, and the Netherlands.

Mentored by master perfumer Carlos Benaim and later by Jean-Marc Chaillan, Reilly developed a distinctive style defined by minimalism, precision, and a strong emphasis on high-quality natural ingredients—particularly those from IFF’s Laboratoire Monique Remy (LMR).

Over the course of her career, Reilly has built a diverse portfolio, collaborating with brands such as Masque Milano, A Lab on Fire, Maison d’Etto, and Caswell Massey. Her work with Zoologist Perfumes stands out in particular. Orchid Mantis is a lush floral composition inspired by the deceptive beauty of the tropical praying mantis, while Lovebird Special Edition captures the warmth and intimacy of the bond between colorful parrots.

Reilly’s work is defined by a narrative-driven approach, treating fragrance as an emotional experience. She often blends green accords, florals, and carefully balanced musks to create compositions that feel both expressive and refined. As an advocate for natural ingredients—and as a woman navigating a historically male-dominated and French-centric industry—she continues to push the boundaries of modern perfumery.

For Reilly, perfume is more than an aesthetic creation; it is a powerful trigger for memory and emotion, making it a deeply personal and evocative medium.