French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian tells of what makes him tick

Talented French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian - the brains behind innovations like the scented leather bracelet, perfume bubbles and Aqua Universalis scent - is unveiling his latest creation, Les Elixirs, in October. Beauty 121 finds out more about his mission and style: Your philosophy? \'Perfumed live 24/7 is the motto of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. The beauty of perfume speaks at once of the intimate and the universal. This is why I have created a wide range of scented products: from the Elixir (a collection of pure perfumes) - my latest creation - to men\'s fragrances, from scented candles to Incense Paper\'. Your mission? \'To create beauty and happiness, bring sensuality and glamour into people\'s life. Each product I create has to have a meaning as well as a unique fragrance signature\'. Your triumph? \'Aqua Universalis is a fragrance I have been particularly proud to create for my House. Its name says it all as it has a universal/global appeal. From Australia to Singapore, Hong Kong to London and New York, its genuine freshness provides a feeling of wellbeing as well as sensuality that each of our customers has been able to experience\'. Your movie? \'Breakfast at Tiffany\'s of course! A large TV screen in my flagship store in Paris features movie clips of the film among videos of some olfactory installations I have created. One of the most famous scenes in the Breakfast at Tiffany\'s even inspired me to create Agatha\'s bubbles, a collection of scented soap bubbles. In the same spirit the character played by Audrey Hepburn dreams about the Tiffany\'s jewellery but can only afford a ring engraving (or a dialling pin made of silver) I wanted to be able to offer the customer the capability to leave my boutique with a rather inexpensive product. At some point, Agatha\'s bubbles are a tribute to the movie\'. Your music? \'Music is very important to me and plays an important part in my work as a perfumer. I have played the piano since I was 7. One of my composers of choice is Maurice Ravel. I was blessed when sound designer Beatrice Ardisson along with world renowned pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque re-mastered my favourite score for my website: \'Pavane for a dead princess\'. On another level, one of my latest creations, Aqua Universalis forte, was inspired by music. I rework the original Eau de Toilette into and Eau de Parfum making a parallel between playing the same score on a chamber orchestra or with a symphonic orchestra:same spirit and feeling, same story but in a louder volume\'. Your place? \'Paris of course, my hometown and my city of heart! Paris is at the heart of my inspiration. My business travels take me away, but they also serve to bring me back to my city, and its heterogeneous population, to its light and the shade of its monuments, the grey of the tiles of its rooftops and the bursts of the golden domes of the monuments that puncture here and there its incredible skyline. Paris inspires the universe my House: grey zinc and gold, two colours that signed all my products\'. Your relaxation? \'Going to the museum, an exhibit, the opera or a ballet. Seeing my friends, my family and having them for dinner or entertaining them at home in Paris\'. Francis Kurkdjian\'s fragrances are available from Liberty London. Les Elixirs will be available from October. Interviewed by Kate Shapland. From, Telegraph.co.uk