Since its creation in 2009, the history of Maison Francis Kurkdjian has been written with four hands, those of the perfumer of the same name to whom we owe a mention to Jean Paul Gaultier and those of Marc Chaya. The latter, president and co-founder of the house, Francis Kurkdjian, shares his fond memories and vision of creation as well as the various commitments made by the house that are close to his heart.
Marc Chaya was born in Lebanon and raised on the shores of the Mediterranean. From an early age, scents have been a part of his life. “I keep in my olfactory memory the seductive and delicate flavors of the dishes my mother cooked in our small apartment in Beirut. His Broast Madeleine? The smell of jasmine and orange blossom as well as the smell of sea and salt drying in the sun. As a child, he was drawn to art, architecture, and design.” I was not predestined for work. in this perfume industry. It was meeting Francis Kurkdjian that got me there,” he says.
Founding duo
On his encounter with Francis Corkdigan, Mark Chaya remembers him well. “I met Francis during a joint dinner with friends. Speaking with him, I learned that he was a perfumer and that he had created several fragrances that I wore, including Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. Yet no one knew his name. I found it unfair and wanted the business.” In order for the perfumer to return to center stage and be able to freely express his vision and his art.”
Art and perfume
“At Maison Francis Kurkdjian, creativity merges and really influences everything. We thrive on connection with other artistic or cultural forms,” asserts Marc Chaya. Other artists or cultural institutions such as Versailles. Maison Francis Kurkdjian has a long history with the Château. Trained at the Versailles School of Perfumery, Francis Kurkdjian has produced many olfactory compositions in the gardens of the château. Today, this link is cemented by a sponsorship signed by Marc Chaya: ” From spring, the Jardin du Parfumeur on the Trianon estate will bring together hundreds of aromatic fragrances used in perfumery in order to highlight the history of perfume at the court of the Palace of Versailles. »
Maison Francis Kurkdjian carries strong personal commitments
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is also committed to the environmental point through various partnerships and actions. “Our creative and commercial adventure must be part of an authentic approach,” emphasizes Mark Chaya. Engagement is a necessity for him, not a marketing argument. In addition to integrating a CSR center within the house, the latter collaborates with the Longitude 181 Association to fund an action to study and preserve the sperm whale. Marc Chaya concludes: “In 2023, I hope that our sector will continue to evolve towards more respect for the perfumer, for creativity, for people and in a respectful and sustainable ecosystem.”
Practical information:
Website: www.franciskurkdjian.com
Instagram: @maisonfranciskurkdjian
– Facebook: franciskurkdjian
