- David-Lev Jipa-Slivinschi Perfumer:
Web:toskovat.com
David - Lev Jipa - Slivinschi is a remarkable figure in the world of perfumery. He is the founder of the brand Toskovat', which has been making waves with its concept - based perfumes.
Before delving into perfumery, Jipa - Slivinschi had a background in the film industry. This experience has significantly influenced his approach to creating scents. He views perfumes as a means to tell stories and evoke memories, much like a film can. Instead of simply aiming to create pleasant - smelling fragrances, he focuses on conjuring up deep - seated emotions and memories within the wearer.
Toskovat' currently offers a range of 13 fragrances, each with a detailed and elaborate scent profile that tells a story. For example, "Age of Innocence" uses notes like candy floss, a 'metal screech', rubber, and gasoline to depict the sudden loss of youth. Another notable fragrance is "Anarchist a_", which lists notes such as 'dirty dollars', 'credit cards', 'priest’s clothes', and 'snow' (where 'snow' represents cocaine). Released during Christmas, it serves as a critique of consumerism and the hustle culture, highlighting the shift from spirituality and community towards materialism and distractions.
One of his most talked - about creations is "Inexcusable Evil". This fragrance, with notes of blood, bandages, and burning flowers, is a statement about modern - day warfare. Given Jipa - Slivinschi's Russian and Ukrainian lineage, the theme of war is deeply personal to him. He intended for the scent to be so cold and inorganic that it would confront people with the horrors of war, making it impossible to ignore. Surprisingly, despite his own disdain for the smell, it has become the brand's bestseller by a significant margin.
Jipa - Slivinschi is self - taught and prefers the term "perfume - maker" over "perfumer". He feels that the latter term can carry certain expectations and exclusivity, while he wants his work to be more relatable and accessible. His focus on exploring the universal human experience through his scents, connecting personal memories to broader human experiences, sets him apart in the world of perfumery. His unique approach has drawn a lot of interest, especially in a market that is increasingly open to creative, unusual, and even disturbing fragrance accords.
