The Artisan
The Story of Calice Becker
Calice Asancheyev-Becker stands among the most accomplished perfumers of her generation. Born in Paris around 1964 to Russian parents, her fascination with fragrance began at age four when she asked her mother how flowers found their way into perfume bottles. That childhood curiosity led her to the Roure Bertrand Dupont perfumery school (now Givaudan Perfumery School), where she trained before launching her career in 1985.\n\nHer professional journey began in earnest when she joined Quest International in 1994 as Executive VP Perfumer, spending thirteen years honing her craft before transitioning to Givaudan in 2007. At Givaudan, she served as Vice President Perfumer, splitting her time between Paris and New York City until 2013. In March 2017, she assumed the prestigious role of Director of the Givaudan Perfumery School, the very institution where her own journey began. Under her leadership, the school continues its legacy of training the creators of roughly one third of all fragrances on the market.\n\nBecker's contributions to perfumery have earned her numerous honors. She received the French médaille de Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres for her significant cultural contributions. In 2021, The Fragrance Foundation presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award, recognizing both her enduring creative success and her visionary leadership. She currently serves as President of the International Society of Perfume Creators (SIPC), further cementing her influence on the industry's future.
Philosophy
Calice Becker approaches each fragrance as a storyteller approaches a narrative. She believes in adding what she calls 'a dose of intrigue,' that unexpected element that catches attention and invites deeper exploration. Her creative process draws from multiple art forms, including music, painting, and sculpting, disciplines she practices alongside perfumery to fuel her imagination.\n\nHer work philosophy balances technical mastery with emotional resonance. She has created some of the most commercially successful fragrances of the past three decades while maintaining artistic integrity. As director of the Givaudan Perfumery School, she emphasizes passing knowledge to the next generation, believing that true luxury lies not just in individual creations but in cultivating the craft itself. Her mentorship approach reflects her own career trajectory, honoring the traditional apprenticeship model while embracing innovation.
Creative Approach
Becker's olfactive signature is marked by exceptional versatility combined with a distinctive feminine sensibility. She moves effortlessly between the sun-drenched radiance of Dior J'Adore and the contemplative tea notes of By Kilian Imperial Tea. Her work often features luminous florals, sophisticated musks, and carefully calibrated warmth.\n\nShe is particularly celebrated for her ability to create 'idealized' accords, fragrances that capture the essence of something familiar yet elevate it to something aspirational. Her tropical florals feel like perfected memories of paradise. Her gourmand touches avoid the obvious, instead suggesting rather than stating. This restraint, this knowing when to hold back, distinguishes her compositions. Critics have noted her talent for creating fragrances that feel both immediately appealing and enduringly complex, a rare combination that has made her creations staples in millions of wardrobes worldwide.
At a Glance
1985
41+ years of craft
4
Total career creations
1
Single house focus
3.8
Community sentiment
Signature Style
“Becker's olfactive signature is marked by exceptional versatility combined with a distinctive feminine sensibility.”
Notable Creations
J'Adore
Tommy Girl
Beyond Paradise
Beyond Paradise for Men
Velvet Orchid