Philippine Courtière’s path to perfumery was anything but conventional. Despite being born into a family deeply rooted in the luxury world—her grandfather was a co-founder of Dior and her parents worked at Givenchy—she initially pursued a degree in law in Paris. A pivotal internship in the fragrance industry, however, changed her direction entirely and led her to perfumery.
Her early career included formative experiences at Robertet and Takasago before joining Firmenich in 2009. There, she refined her craft under the mentorship of renowned perfumers such as Francis Kurkdjian, Michel Almairac, and Jacques Cavallier. Her training took her across Geneva, New York, and Paris, and in 2014 she was officially appointed as a perfumer.
A defining moment in her career came with her move to Dubai, where she immersed herself in Middle Eastern perfumery traditions. This experience shaped her signature style, blending French sophistication with oriental richness. Her structured approach to composition, working with distinct “blocks” of scent, results in fragrances that are both clear and complex.
Now a Senior Perfumer at Symrise, Courtière focuses on storytelling through fragrance. She aims to create what she describes as “accessible luxury,” designing scents that evoke emotion and transport the wearer across time and place.
