Rituals L’Eclat perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin on making fragrance and the joy of wearing it

L’Eclat is Rituals most innovative fragrance to date. The fragrance is, according to its creator Fabrice Pellegrin, inspired by nomadic travel, which is fitting since the scent can be layered with any other Rituals perfume. It’s unisex too, with beautiful neroli, sparkling mimosa and creamy, warming, sandalwood. Fragrance runs in Fabrice’s family, it’s part of his DNA, it’s a passion and a way of life, and that care, love and attention has been woven into L’Eclat. A seductive, irresistible scent, we wanted to discover more about Fabrice’s process, what makes him tick and his advice for getting the most out of L’Eclat when you wear it. Read on to be inspired.

Perfumery runs in your family – what was it like growing up in a family that loved fragrance?

The artistry of perfumery runs in my blood. My father was a perfumer; my grandmother a beloved jasmine picker, and my grandfather a supplier of naturals for perfumery. My craft is a true family story. I was trained very early with master perfumers to learn everything about composition and the use of natural ingredients. It’s no surprise that my sense of smell is particularly developed as I never stopped training it from my earliest age. This was the gift my family imparted in me…a love for nature and fragrance creation.

You believe in making the most of the time you have. Fragrance is so linked to memories, do you have different fragrances that remind you of different moments and experiences in your life?

I was blessed to grow up in Grasse, France. As a child, my fondest memory is when I would go rose-picking in the rose fields with my grandmother. They were unforgettable moments. There were lots of Italian pickers who all came to Grasse from the same village. They would meet up there and talk about everything. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly. For me, any fragrance that utilises rose in it is particularly special to me, as I’ve gravitated towards this scent since childhood.

What inspires your craft?

My primary source of inspiration is nature itself. I shamelessly confess that I consider myself an epicurean. I love the pleasures of life and, admittedly, sometimes in excess. Everything that touches my senses evokes an emotion. Food, wine, a good cigar, time with friends - all of these are essential to my existence and curate my inspirations for new fragrance creations. I am also endlessly influenced when working with precious natural ingredients, and by the individuals who cultivated them. They tell a story not only about their harvest, but about their personal roots and culture. This absolute openness to the world is inspiring, and it feeds my passion for perfumery.

What was the inspiration for L’Eclat? And how did it evolve from the seed of an idea into the final fully-formed fragrance?

For this particular fragrance, I wanted to approach the idea of nomadic travel. Of being from one place, but also adopting the culture and lifestyle of other countries and tribes. I knew this scent needed to feel warm, like an embrace, the way that a nomad embraces adventure, new people, foods and natural surroundings. I wanted this fragrance to become an object of desire, with a hint of provocation that evokes taking chances, freedom and confidence.

L’Eclat is unisex and can be worn alone or layered, did that pose a challenge for you when you were creating it?

I find it endlessly fascinating to design unisex fragrances. Most women need to feel self-confident in the fragrance they wear; it involves a lot of emotions to find the scent that brings her inner pleasure. Men look for a seductive weapon; a bold, generous and irresistible fragrance that lets them feel coveted, craved and desired. These emotions evoke a complementary quest of seduction between men and women, as a witness of their attractiveness. I kept this tension in mind while creating L’Eclat, so that I could find just the right balance.

Do you have any advice for how to apply and layer perfumes?

I prefer to wear fragrance on my pulse points (neck, temples, behind the ears, etc.) as it stimulates my senses and gives me confidence and pleasure. I tend to mist fragrance into the air and walk directly into the scent could, and then spray or dab fragrance directly onto my pulse points for added long lasting power.

For me, it always depends the mood I’m in on any given day as to whether I layer fragrances or use only one, there is no right or wrong way to wear scent, the only guideline is that it must make you feel inspired.

Fragrance is so personal, but how do you hope L’Eclat will make the wearer feel?

Empowered and passionate.

L’Eclat has notes of neroli, mimosa and sandalwood – what does each of these ingredients bring to the fragrance?

I love using natural ingredients, they create the architecture for the rest of my formula. I used neroli to impart a sense of adventure, while mimosa gives it a sparkling zest, and sandalwood imparts a creamy earthy element. This scent is very warm, yet with a hint of mystery and exotic intrigue.

Rituals believes in finding meaning and happiness in the small moments – what does your daily routine look like, and what small moments in life do you hold dear to your heart?

I agree whole heartedly with Rituals’ mantra. I always find moments throughout the day to enjoy life and be present with my family. No day is the same, but I often find I’m most centered when I am creating and working with various natural ingredients. Additionally, anytime I’m out in nature (hiking, walking the dog, travelling, etc.) I am more in tune with my emotions and surroundings.

You work with students and local schools, for anyone interested in becoming a perfumer, what advice would you have for them?

Passion, hard work and perseverance are the keys to success in the world of perfumery. You have to be open to sharing a part of yourself with the world.