Artfully marrying blending this olfactory creativity with an impressive, scented sustainability, Jillian Switzerland work with some of the world’s most talented perfumers to capture Swiss scenery and, we think, your hearts…
Established in 2019, this Swiss house is guided by the creative force of Jang Kều, the Founder and Creative Director. With over two decades of experience in the fragrance industry, Kều’s journey began at WFF, a fragrance creation house in Vietnam; and starting with little knowledge of the industry, she quickly developed a passion for perfumes – a scented trajectory that change the course of her life. Kều recalls, ‘At that time, I was entirely unfamiliar with the realm of flavours and fragrances and had to start from scratch to avoid being the subject of ridicule from my colleagues.’ Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish GroupG Asia Pacific, collaborating globally with fragrance houses and perfumers.
The inspiration for having her own fragrance house – once only a notion, now made reality with Jillian Switzerland – was sparked during a pivotal lunch in Paris with a group of internationally renowned perfumers, introduced by Jurg Koller, the Global CEO of Luzi. As Kều passionately discussed the reforestation project she was involved with, called Forest Symphony, a generous donation of 3,000 trees for the mangrove forest in Sóc Trăng was made by Koller. This gesture was followed by perfumer David Chieze being inspired to create a fragrance directly drawing on his love for forests, and later, his experiences of the Forest Symphony project.
Bringing together an incredible team, the Jillian Switzerland’s Signature Collection perhaps best embodies the essence of this remarkable house, as a starting point to
explore. INTANGIBLE, for example, crafted by the legendary Mark Buxton, is a fragrance that challenges traditional descriptions. Buxton drew inspiration from a vivid
memory at the Sacher Hotel in Vienna, where a lady’s extravagant violet hat sparked a scent characterised by rich leather, a nuanced floral bouquet, and the sweet embrace of vanilla and caramel. Meanwhile, FALL IN LUST by David Chieze is an olfactory aphrodisiac that ignites passion through warming flecks of pepper, aromatic absinthe, and spices. Another standout from the collection is COME OUT, created by Mirella Pomina in collaboration with Vietnamese artist Le Kinh Tai. As Kều explains, this piece (and the fragrance that was inspired by it) proved particularly transformative:
‘To us, a fragrance is an art form, a blend of nature’s beauty and skilled craftsmanship.’ says Kều.’ We strive to challenge the conventional boundaries of what a perfume can embody. This pursuit has led us to collaborate with artists who share our dedication to creativity and innovation. The turning point came when I encountered the painting “Whoever I am” by the talented expressionist artist Le Kinh Tai, sparking the inception of our “When Perfume Meets Art” venture. And the resulting fragrance embodies the concept, featuring vibrant neroli and herbs evolving into a floral heart before settling into musk, moss, and wood. Each bottle features unique artwork from Tai’s painting, making it a collector’s item in its own right.
Beyond their Signature Collection, Jillian Switzerland offers fragrances like EDELWEISS, inspired by Switzerland’s national flower. This scent captures the purity and sophistication of Alpine meadows where Edelweiss blooms against snow-capped peaks. Their latest addition, LAKE BRIENZ, is a tribute to Swiss scenery, evoking cool mountain air and crystal-clear waters – perfect for moments of a serene, scented escape. And the imagery harmonises the concept of the whole house. Maika Elan, ‘an award-winning photographer renowned for her captivating work’, as Kều tells us, uses her photography to ‘capture the essence of Jillian Switzerland perfumes, offering a visual tale that reveals the intangible – memories, people, and landscapes interwoven with her hallmark Lomography.’
What we found particularly impressive is that they could have ended it there. Fantastic fragrances, beautiful inspirations, bottled, and breathtaking pictures; but Jillian Switzerland went further, combining those artistic strengths with that steadfast commitment to sustainability. In 2013, Kều founded the Sống Foundation to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. By dedicating all profits from Jillian Switzerland to tree-planting efforts in developing countries, each purchase becomes an act of environmental stewardship. Kều expresses her passion by saying that ‘Seeing these passions come to life fills me with immense joy as it brings us closer to our dream…’
From conception in Zurich and Paris to production in Switzerland and bottling in Grasse, France; every step of Jillian Switzerland’s process is imbued with passion and precision. The result is a collection of fragrances that are more than just scents – they’re experiences and emotions bottled. As Mark Buxton eloquently puts it: ‘Embracing passion and exuberant touches, this collection of fragrances is designed to elicit strong emotions that strike at your very heart and soul.’ Proving that perfumed luxury can coexist with sustainability, with every spritz of a Jillian of Switzerland scent, you are invited to experience the olfactory escapism we so crave, but also to contribute to a more sustainable future. And we know that once you’ve explored their eaux de parfums, you’ll agree that it’s a fragrant future that smells gloriously promising…
