Pascal Gaurin’s fascination with scent began in childhood, when he would explore the world through smell—ranging from plants and food to wood and earth. Growing up near the dense forests of the Creuse region in France, he developed a strong appreciation for deep, natural notes such as resins and woods. A Vogue article about the perfume industry sparked his ambition and led him to study at the prestigious ISIPCA in Versailles.

Shortly after graduating, he was recruited by International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF), where his career quickly took on a global scope. An early assignment in Hong Kong exposed him to Asian olfactory traditions and helped him develop a nuanced understanding of cultural differences. In 1997, he moved to New York, where he rose to Vice President Senior Perfumer at IFF, creating fragrances for major brands such as Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and By Kilian.

Gaurin’s creative process is deeply influenced by music and film. He often conceptualizes fragrances in musical terms before translating them into scent, drawing inspiration from artists like Radiohead and The Rolling Stones. This cinematic approach results in layered, emotionally expressive compositions.

For Zoologist Perfumes, he created Seahorse, a delicate aquatic-floral fragrance inspired by the graceful nature of these sea creatures. Notes of cardamom, tuberose, and amber blend into a refined, oceanic composition.

He also composed Squid, an award-winning fragrance that captures the mysterious depths of the ocean. Featuring notes of ink, seaweed, and dark marine accords, it creates a rich and enigmatic olfactory experience. The fragrance received the Fragrance Foundation Award in 2020 as “Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year.”