Nanako Ogi’s journey into perfumery began in the natural landscapes of Japan, surrounded by rice fields and forests that shaped her early sensitivity to scent. These formative experiences evolved into a creative vision that continues to define her work. While studying anthropology at university, a suggestion from a friend led her to consider perfumery—a decision that would completely change her path. Just six months later, she moved to the United States to pursue this new ambition.

Her path required dedication and extensive training. After earning a degree in chemistry in the U.S., Ogi spent over a decade gaining industry experience before being accepted into Givaudan’s prestigious perfumery school. This rigorous preparation laid the foundation for her distinctive creative approach, which focuses on translating emotions and everyday inspirations into expressive fragrances.

Today, Nanako Ogi is a perfumer at Givaudan in Singapore, known for her ability to blend cultural influences into harmonious compositions. Her philosophy centers on bringing imagination to life through scent, drawing inspiration from emotional moments in everyday life. This approach has led to collaborations with renowned brands such as Fragrance Du Bois, Ojar, and Parfums de Marly, where she consistently combines her Japanese heritage with diverse global influences.

Ogi’s work is characterized by its storytelling quality and emotional depth. Her fragrance Secret Tryst for Fragrance Du Bois highlights her talent for complex compositions, combining bergamot, saffron, jasmine, and incense within a rich woody structure. The scent demonstrates her ability to explore multiple facets of key ingredients while maintaining perfect balance.

With Sirène, also for Fragrance Du Bois, she created a bold composition inspired by femininity, yet deliberately unconventional. Blending cherry, pepper, oud, and incense, the fragrance draws from Japanese folklore while remaining distinctly modern, challenging traditional perceptions of feminine perfumery.

Her work for Ojar reveals another dimension of her artistry. Routes Nomades seamlessly merges elements of the Japanese Kōdō ceremony with Omani incense rituals, featuring notes of cypress, ginger, cardamom, and leather. This intercultural dialogue has become a defining aspect of her style, allowing her to create fragrances that resonate across traditions while maintaining a unique identity.

Ogi’s ability to transform personal memories—such as the scent of tatami mats—into contemporary fragrance compositions highlights both her creative depth and technical expertise. Through her work, she continues to build bridges between cultures, crafting scents that evoke emotion, memory, and imagination.