- Wessel-Jan Kos Perfumer:
Wessel-Jan Kos is a remarkable figure in the world of perfumery. A Dutch national hailing from Hilversum, he is a third-generation perfumer, following in the footsteps of his father and self-taught grandfather.
His career at Firmenich, now part of DSM-Firmenich, has been nothing short of extraordinary, spanning more than three decades. During this time, he has traversed the globe, working in locations such as Geneva, Dubai, London, Cologne, and Princeton in the USA. His rich experiences in these diverse places have significantly influenced his creative process.
Wessel-Jan Kos creates fragrances for both beauty and home applications for numerous world-renowned brands. In the past decade alone, he has been involved in over 200 new product launches each year. His work is not only about creating pleasant scents but also about leveraging his in-depth knowledge in areas like malodor counteraction technologies, for which he holds several patents. He has also played a part in promoting the use of biotechnology ingredients in perfumery, such as the 100% biodegradable and renewable carbon Z11 HD.
He served as the vice president of the British Society of Perfumers during his 12-year stay in the UK, and has even taken on the role of a tutor, sharing his vast expertise with the next generation of perfumers. His approach to fragrance creation is centered around simplicity and directness. He aims for people to immediately grasp the essence of what he intends to create through his scents.
One of his notable creations is "New Dawn," a fragrance he developed for the Dutch Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Inspired by the 17th-century Dutch-Japanese tea trade, the fragrance features a refined blend of white and green tea in the top notes, a floral accord of jasmine, magnolia, and orris in the middle, and a smooth base of musk and amber. This limited-edition fragrance, produced in collaboration with Perfumery Maison Neuve in original Delft porcelain blue bottles, is a testament to his creative prowess and ability to tell a story through scent.
Overall, Wessel-Jan Kos continues to leave an indelible mark in the world of perfumery, with his innovative creations and contributions to the field.
