How I Became a Perfumer Podcast №14 – How to Found an Online Perfumery School with Isabelle Gellé
Aug 15, 2024
Isabelle Gellé, founder of the Perfumery Art School UK, shares her vibrant journey from a family of fragrance creators. She discusses how her rich legacy shaped her artistry and led to the creation of her online school. Isabelle highlights nature as a key inspiration for crafting scents and emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with scientific knowledge. The conversation also dives into the challenges of establishing an educational platform and the rising global interest in perfumery, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Perfume Legacy and Innovation
- Isabelle Gellé shared her ancestors' legacy as pioneering perfumers who created perfumes for European courts, including Marie Antoinette.
- Their factory used early steam technology but burned down, and their refusal to adopt synthetics led to their decline.
Childhood and African Scent Immersion
- Growing up in New Caledonia, Isabelle made candles with tropical flowers and oils, developing her nose naturally.
- Later she worked in West Africa, immersing herself in diverse smells that sharpened her olfactory skills.
Starting Natural Perfumery Online
- Isabelle launched her natural perfume business online in 2006, creating bespoke fragrances and workshops.
- She founded the Perfumery Art School UK in 2013 after student demand for an accessible online perfumery course.