GOING BEAST MODE:

FIRST-EVER INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER PERFUMER CHRIS MAURICE

Chris Maurice inherited a deep understanding of the artistry of perfumery from his father, also known as the ‘king of Oriental perfumery’. He knows his way around crafting strong Middle Eastern scents. Unafraid to experiment, he often uses generous doses of ingredients in his compositions to extend their sillage. In his first interview ever, Chris reveals his journey as a perfumer within his family’s esteemed lineage, exploring his unique fragrance signature, current trends in the industry, and the inspiration behind his very own business venture: C De La Niche.

Your family’s company pioneered Middle Eastern perfumery and has earned an exceptional reputation across the Gulf countries. Are you particularly drawn to Middle Eastern perfumery, and if so, what aspects of this fragrance family attract you?
We were among the first to establish our business in Dubai. Initially, our focus was on selling French perfumes, but we encountered resistance from the Arab market. They were accustomed to saffron, musk, amber, and ouds, preferring these scents over the florals, aldehydes, and powdery notes typical of Western perfumes. To adapt to these challenges, my father made a strategic decision to master the art of creating Middle Eastern fragrances instead. This shift in focus earned him the title of the ‘king of Oriental perfumery’, a reputation he still holds today.
This gave our company a significant edge in that domain. He contributed to many iconic fragrances of that era, such as Touch Me by Nabeel and Busaina by Rasasi, which have made a lasting impression. You can imagine this has influenced my personal fragrance preferences as well. I tend to favour perfumes with incense, amber, and woody notes now, in comparison to fresh scents.

Your perfumery heritage dates back nearly a century, rooted in the establishment of Destilerías Maurice Carbonnel DMC by your grandfather, Maurice Carbonnel (now known as Carbonnel S.A). When did you realise that you wanted to follow in the footsteps of your family and continue the perfume legacy?
I have always been fascinated by perfumes. My dad used to bring me to the lab and we would go on field trips together in Spain to see the plantations. It’s in my blood and I wanted to carry on the Carbonnel heritage. While, initially, becoming a perfumer wasn’t something I envisioned, somehow it ended up becoming part of my journey. When I got older, I became involved in the family business and discovered all the departments, such as production, laboratory work, export, and sales. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I realised the importance of understanding every aspect of our business, which included delving into the art of perfume creation. To really understand the work of perfumers, you need to step into their shoes. I immediately applied to perfumery schools, all of whom unfortunately turned me down due to my age…