Pia Long’s journey into perfumery is far from traditional. Born in Helsinki, she initially planned to become an interpreter, but her fascination with fragrance began early on. As a teenager, she worked behind a perfume counter, where she first discovered the power and creativity of scent.

After moving to the UK, she studied at the London College of Fashion, specializing in makeup for film, television, and theatre. This background in visual storytelling later became a defining influence on her approach to perfumery. Her studies in cosmetic science further sparked her interest in creating beauty products from scratch.

Rather than attending a traditional perfumery school, Long built her expertise through years of hands-on experience, mentoring, and self-directed learning. Her seven years as a Junior Perfumer at Lush were particularly formative. In 2016, she co-founded Olfiction with Nick Gilbert, a fragrance consultancy working closely with Accords & Parfums in Grasse.

Her creative philosophy is rooted in “magical realism”—crafting hyper-realistic accords and blending them with imaginative, unexpected elements. She approaches perfumery like storytelling, constructing scents as scenes that come together to form a complete narrative. The result is immersive fragrances that invite the wearer into sensory worlds.

One of her most celebrated creations, Terror & Magnificence for Beaufort London, perfectly illustrates her narrative style. Inspired by architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, the fragrance evokes a powerful atmosphere through notes of incense, candle wax, papyrus, and wet stone.

The composition opens with smoky birch tar and black pepper, evolves into a heart of incense and papyrus, and settles into a deep base of vetiver, myrrh, and warm resins. It demonstrates her ability to transform abstract ideas into wearable olfactory art.

Her portfolio spans both niche and commercial projects, including work for Zoologist, Ghost, and automotive brands like Ford. Her innovative scent Mach-Eau explores unexpected olfactory interpretations inspired by electric vehicles, challenging traditional fragrance conventions.

Beyond her creations, Pia Long is a strong advocate for transparency and education in perfumery. She is a member of the British Society of Perfumers and serves on the IFRA UK Executive Board, promoting greater accessibility and understanding of the craft.

Through her work with Olfiction and her brand Boujee Bougies, she continues to shape the future of modern perfumery while mentoring the next generation of creators.