- Shyamala Maisondieu Perfumer:
Company:Givaudan
Also worked with: Kao Corporation
Web:givaudan.com
Shyamala Maisondieu, an internationally renowned perfumer, was born in Malaysia into a Malay-Indian family. Raised in a multicultural milieu, she developed a distinctive worldview that would later shape her olfactory creations. Moving to London for education, her passion for fragrance began to blossom, and during her time in Hong Kong, she unearthed her talent for scent composition, prompting her to pursue perfumery as a career. She studied at the prestigious Givaudan Perfumery Schools in Grasse and Argenteuil, where she met her future husband, fellow perfumer Antoine Maisondieu.
Joining Givaudan, Shyamala collaborated with high-profile brands including Etat Libre d'Orange, Tom Ford, and Lanvin. A standout project was creating Lancôme'sIdôle, a fragrance that exemplifies her creative vision and global perspective. Throughout her career, she has established herself as an innovative perfumer with an impressive portfolio of diverse scents.
Her multicultural heritage deeply influences her work. Growing up in Malaysia, she experienced the fusion of three distinct cultures, which informs her approach to perfumery—she embraces her diverse background not as a challenge, but as a wellspring of inspiration and strength.
Some of her most celebrated creations include:
Aquolina Pink Sugar: A playful, sweet fragrance evoking cotton candy, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and soft florals.Lancôme Idôle: A radiant, empowering scent blending rose, jasmine, and chypre for the modern woman.Tom Ford Velvet Orchid: A sensual, luxurious blend of black orchid, honey, and warm spices.Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl: A bold, seductive fragrance with redcurrant, rose, and a surprising vetiver twist.Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Forever pour Homme: A fresh, invigorating men’s scent with grapefruit, ozone, and patchouli.Lancôme Idôle L'Intense: An intensified iteration ofIdôle, with amplified floral notes and a warm, addictive base.
Shyamala Maisondieu’s exceptional talent and dedication have cemented her status as a respected figure in perfumery. Her unique approach—rooted in her multicultural upbringing and global perspective—enables her to craft captivating scents that resonate across diverse audiences.
