- Ursula Wandel VP Senior Perfumer at Givaudan:
Company:Givaudan
Also worked with: Roure Bertrand Dupont
Web:givaudan.com
Ursula Wandel, a distinguished perfumer and Vice President of Fine Fragrance at Givaudan, unearthed her passion for perfumery through a blend of curiosity and her background in chemistry. Initially drawn to photography, Wandel’s drive to explore led her to the renowned Givaudan perfumery school in Geneva.
At the school, she dedicated her first year to acquainting herself with approximately 3,000 natural and synthetic raw materials. In the second year, she refined her craft by imitating iconic perfumes—much like a painter studying the old masters. By the third year, Wandel began crafting her own compositions, shaping a unique style in the world of fragrance.
Throughout her career, Ursula Wandel has established herself as one of the industry’s preeminent perfumers, creating scents for global fashion brands and celebrities. She designed five fragrances for Nina Cerruti and developed perfumes for supermodels Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
To date, her most celebrated creation isHugo Womanfor Hugo Boss, which has received widespread acclaim. After training under a master perfumer and a sojourn in Asia, she returned to Europe to continue crafting captivating scents.
Wandel believes that creating a successful perfume is an art that demands more than just a “good nose.” She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and a penchant for exploration in honing one’s skills as a perfumer. Her creations stand as a testament to her dedication to the craft and her commitment to refining her talent.
With Givaudan, Wandel has spent over five decades contributing her expertise to numerous brands and fragrances. Some of her most notable works include Hugo Boss’sHugo Woman,Boss Intense, andBoss Soul; Naomi Campbell’s self-titled perfume; Lancôme’sHypnôse Senses; and Cerruti’sImage.
Beyond these collaborations, she has also worked with brands such as Adidas, Avon, Azzaro, Betty Barclay, Boucheron, Chopard, Dueto Parfums, Laura Biagiotti, and Yves Rocher, among others.
