NEXT IN NICHE:
PERFUMER UGO CHARRON
In Le Parfum Magazine Chapter 7 (page 38), we highlighted a new wave of perfumers redefining niche fragrance. This online series continues that journey. Today, we highlight perfumer Ugo Charron: one of the most intriguing talents at flavour and fragrance manufacturer Mane. Known for bold contrasts and a quietly mysterious style, Ugo composes perfume much like colour or music, with feeling and precision. His work plays with texture and emotion, always keeping the nose alert. From early influences to his latest creation, this feature explores a scent story that challenges expectations and invites a second smell.
Ugo Charron’s path into perfume began with curiosity and imagination rather than formulas alone. Trained in chemistry and shaped by formative years at L’Oréal before refining his voice at Mane, he blends technical skill with an instinctive, artistic touch. Guided by synesthesia, his approach to fragrance is deeply multi-sensory, where colour, sound, and texture flow into scent. The result is perfume that feels thoughtful and inviting. Step into his world through the Q&A below and discover how emotion and structure meet in his creations.
“COLOURS BRING JOY TO LIFE, WHETHER IN FRAGRANCE, MUSIC, OR ART”
Creative style:
Bold, defined, mysterious
Loves to use:
Orris, leather, and davana oil
Latest creation:
Nuit Élastique by Première Peau
How did you become a perfumer?
My first encounter with perfume was at 14, reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. It revealed the depths of an invisible world and sparked my desire to compose scent. That passion led me through chemistry studies in Montpellier and early work at L’Oréal, followed by training under visionary mentor Christophe Laudamiel. I later refined my craft at Mane, learning from perfumers such as Claude Dir, Mathilde Bijaoui, and Ralf Schwieger.
What inspires your creations?
I’m guided by synesthesia, where senses intertwine and reveal new creative connections. Curiosity fuels me constantly, whether through travel, art, food, or music. Each encounter becomes an invitation to create, blending these experiences into new, expressive scents.
What’s your dream project?
To create an immersive space where fragrance becomes a collective experience, with built-in diffusers similar to those in a music studio, so everyone inhales the same scent at once. A shared, living artwork of creativity and emotion.
What is your latest niche perfume creation?
Nuit Élastique by Première Peau. The idea was to reimagine jasmine in a way that felt truly different. Brand founder Pierre Mergui, who has a deep affection for the flower, had never found an interpretation that fully matched his vision. So I infused the flower with salty facets and bold notes of latex and black olive to create a scent that’s edgy, addictive, and unexpectedly luminous.
READ MORE IN LE PARFUM MAGAZINE CHAPTER 7
In “Next in Niche: Upcoming Noses” on page 38, you can explore more stories of upcoming perfumers like Ugo Charron.
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