Hot off the press: the legendary Jacques Polge has anointed his successor – and it’s his own son, 38-year-old Olivier.
Jobs for the boys…? Not a bit of it. Olivier (who Perfume Society subscribers can see an interview with here) is a highly successful perfumer in his own right, who has clearly inherited his father’s talent: in 2009, Olivier (who’s a native of Grasse and has been at fragrance house IFF since 1998) was awarded the Prix International de Parfum – a prize set up in the year 2000 to honour fragrance creators.
His roll-call of successes includes several fragrances for Balenciaga (including Flora Botanica), Jimmy Choo by Jimmy Choo, Kenzo, Christian Dior Homme, Guerlain Cuir Beluga – and a few real blockbusters: Olivier worked on Lancôme La Vie Est Belle (with Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo), Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (with Carlos Benaïm and Domitille Bertier) and Spicebomb.
There’s been plenty of speculation as to 70-year-old Jacques Polge’s successor: most insiders believed he’d be handing over to British-born perfumer Christopher Sheldrake (the man who has also created most of the Serge Lutens masterpieces). Christopher will remain with Chanel, we’re told, continuing to run the laboratory while working in tandem with the Polges, as Oliiver joins Jacques from this September.
We can’t wait to smell his first creation…
