The Artisan
The Story of Emilio Valeros
Emilio Valeros arrived in this world the way many perfumers only dream of, surrounded by the raw materials of his future craft. His father worked in a perfume laboratory in Madrid, and the young Valeros grew up breathing formulas and basking in the aromatic rituals of an industry that would become his life. He studied Chemical Sciences before completing his formation between Paris and Grasse, the twin capitals of European perfumery. He joined Loewe in 1989 and spent over three decades as the house's technical director, composing approximately 90 fragrances that defined Spanish luxury olfaction for a generation. His departure in 2019 marked the end of an era, yet he continues shaping the industry as Académico de Número of the Academia del Perfume, occupying the sillón lavanda. Valeros transformed the lavender fields of Brihuega in La Alcarria into a personal laboratory, pioneering sustainable production methods that have revolutionized the region's agricultural model. His distillery there stands among Europe's most advanced, prioritizing quality essences and environmental consciousness. He remains one of perfumery's great Spanish emblems.
Philosophy
For Valeros, perfume represents the most persistent form of memory, a philosophy he has carried through every formulation. He treats each creation as a luxurious philosophical act, driven by constancy, dedication, and genuine enthusiasm for communicating his sensibility to the world. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, he builds fragrances meant to endure, to accompany their wearers through decades of lived experience. His relationship with raw materials borders on the reverential; he speaks of understanding what each ingredient wants to become rather than forcing materials into predetermined shapes. Nature, particularly the landscapes of his native Spain, serves as both teacher and muse. He believes in slowing down, in honoring tradition while remaining open to innovation, in creating scents that feel inevitable rather than merely fashionable.
Creative Approach
Valeros draws extensively from Spanish botanicals, making lavender, rosemary, thyme, and other Mediterranean herbs central to his vocabulary. His preferred materials include sandalwood for masculine compositions and rose for feminine ones, though he approaches both with restrained elegance rather than opulent excess. His style prioritizes coherence and longevity, creating fragrances that evolve gracefully on the skin rather than announcing themselves aggressively. He favors clean construction where each note has genuine purpose, avoiding unnecessary complexity for spectacle. Working from a laboratory containing over 4,000 meticulously organized raw materials, Valeros approaches composition with methodical precision, believing nothing should be left to chance. His Spanish identity runs deep through his work, capturing Mediterranean light, Iberian landscapes, and the particular sensibility of a culture that has always understood the pleasure of beauty.
At a Glance
1989
37+ years of craft
1
Total career creations
1
Single house focus
3.9
Community sentiment
Signature Style
“Valeros draws extensively from Spanish botanicals, making lavender, rosemary, thyme, and other Mediterranean herbs central to his vocabulary.”
Notable Creations
Esencia
Agua
Aire
Solo
7