- Yuri Lavinski Perfumer:
Yuri Lavinski, also known as Yuri Gutsatz, is a remarkable figure in the world of perfumery. Born in 1914, he left an indelible mark on the industry.
Yuri's journey in perfumery was filled with significant contributions. In 1979, as a perfume critic, he penned the article "Perfumer, your name is no - one", highlighting the lack of recognition for perfumers' skills and contributions at that time. This was a period when many couture houses launching fragrances kept the identity of the perfumers behind their scents a mystery, preferring customers to believe the perfumes were created by the couturiers themselves.
Yuri himself was a master perfumer who defied the norms. In 1975, rejecting the constraints of traditional perfumery, he founded Le Jardin Retrouvé, becoming the first perfumer to establish his own niche perfume house. The name "Le Jardin Retrouvé" has a dual meaning in French, translating to both "found" and "recovered", which is symbolic of Yuri's approach. He found extraordinary scents inspired by the world's most magnificent gardens, crafted them into his own sustainable "garden" of fragrances, and also curated them into the osmothèque, the first global scent archive.
Throughout his career, Yuri created some notable fragrances. He was commissioned to create Ungaro's first signature perfume, which was initially intended to be produced by Estée Lauder. Although the original project faced significant modifications and setbacks, some of his work later became fragrances like Chromatics for Estée Lauder and Chasse Gardée for Carven, though sadly, both are discontinued. His formulas were characterized by a delicate touch, and he used high - quality ingredients, many of which were sourced from his long - standing historical suppliers.
In 2017, Clara Feder and Michel Gutsatz (Yuri's son) relaunched Le Jardin Retrouvé, ensuring that Yuri's legacy lived on. They retained his original delicate formulas, historical ingredients, and suppliers. Perfumer Maxence Moutte also joined the team to recreate Yuri's formulas as closely as possible to their original compositions. Today, the brand offers a range of products including 13 fragrances, pillow mists, body care products, candles, and diffusers, all featuring scents inspired by the house's iconic perfumes.
Yuri Lavinski's influence extended far beyond his own creations. He was a pioneer who not only created beautiful scents but also fought for the recognition of perfumers in an industry that often overlooked their talent. His work and ideas have inspired generations of perfumers and have had a lasting impact on the world of niche perfumery. He passed away in 2005, but his name and his creations continue to be remembered and celebrated in the world of fragrance.
