The Artisan
The Story of Antoine Maisondieu, Jordi Fernández, Olivier Pescheux
Givaudan's trio of Montblanc Explorer fame represents three distinct paths converging at the house's most successful fragrance. Olivier Pescheux, a master perfumer from France, built his craft internationally before joining Givaudan, spending formative years in Bangkok at Payan Bertrand before moving to Annick Goutal in Paris, where he developed his signature approach to raw materials. Antoine Maisondieu carries Grasse in his blood, born into a perfumery family and trained at Roure after abandoning law studies. His creative sensibilities were shaped early by cinema and photography before he found his true medium in scent. Jordi Fernández arrived at perfumery through childhood sensory memories of Catalan incense processions and spice markets, self-taught yet deeply intuitive, his career beginning at Barcelona's Eurofragrance before he joined Givaudan in 2010. Explorer united these three sensibilities, blending Pescheux's sculptural technique, Maisondieu's elegant minimalism, and Fernández's mastery of exotic materials into a fragrance that redefined its brand.
Philosophy
Each perfumer brings a different philosophy to the formulation table, yet their combined approach favors coherence over complexity. Pescheux believed in the beauty of restraint, sculpting materials into their most essential form rather than layering effects. Maisondieu pursues singularity and simplicity, seeking clean lines that echo his cinematic influences. Fernández follows curiosity and intimacy, drawn to raw materials that carry memory and ritual. Together, they work toward fragrances that feel inevitable rather than assembled.
Creative Approach
The team's style resists easy categorization. Pescheux contributed structural discipline and a practical approach to traditional materials, balanced against Fernández's deep fluency in oriental perfumery and exotic ingredients like oud. Maisondieu brings architectural minimalism and a Western elegance that grounds the more intense elements. The result is fragrances that read as modern and accessible while harboring complexity beneath the surface. Clean lines, precise sequencing, and materials that earn their place rather than merely add volume.
At a Glance
1989
37+ years of craft
Signature Style
“The team's style resists easy categorization.”
Notable Creations
Explorer
Explorer Ultra Blue
Legend Night
Metallique
Velvet Orchid