The Artisan
The Story of Richard Ibanez
Richard Ibanez built his entire career at Robertet, the Grasse-based fragrance house revered for its mastery of natural raw materials. His trajectory began in 1986 with a signature scent for Divine, a collaboration he would revisit multiple times through 2005 and 2006. The turning point came when, as a young professional, he stepped into Robertet's perfume laboratory and felt the immediate pull of the craft. 'At that moment, I realised the power and the magic of perfumes on people,' he recalled. By 1993, he had earned wider recognition with two fragrances for Sonia Rykiel, followed by Azzaro's Pure Lavender in 2001. His profile rose sharply with Escada's Ibiza Hippie in 2003 and Into The Blue in 2006. Working across mass-market labels and niche houses alike, from Lalique to Andrea Maack, Ibanez has quietly assembled one of the more eclectic portfolios in contemporary perfumery.
Philosophy
Ibanez approaches each fragrance as an exercise in imagination. Before the chemistry begins, he tries to visualise the person who will wear it. 'Yes, I really try to imagine the person who could wear this perfume,' he explained. He believes authenticity lives in nature rather than the laboratory, championing natural ingredients as the foundation of meaningful scent. His philosophy on fragrance extends to how scents interact with the human brain, noting that orange elevates mood, lavender calms, and sandalwood stirs sensuality. Climate and personal history shape how each individual experiences a fragrance, making the relationship between scent and wearer deeply personal.
Creative Approach
Rooted in Robertet's naturals heritage, Ibanez gravitates toward ingredients that carry genuine botanical character rather than synthetic facsimiles. His work spans surprising territory: he composed the effervescent Gimgembre with its champagne-like grapefruit and candied ginger, the cool aquatic Into The Blue, and the warm, resinous Veleno Doré for Laurent Mazzone. For Living Lalique, he created something he describes as his favourite bottle design because the vessel matches the fragrance's elegance. His technical fluency allows him to balance spicy warmth, citrus brightness, and creamy woods across very different olfactory territories, never favouring a single template.
At a Glance
1986
40+ years of craft
1
Total career creations
1
Single house focus
4.3
Community sentiment
Signature Style
“Rooted in Robertet's naturals heritage, Ibanez gravitates toward ingredients that carry genuine botanical character rather than synthetic facsimiles.”
Notable Creations
Living Lalique
Into The Blue
Sonia Rykiel Le Parfum
Lalique Rêve d'Infini
Ibiza Hippie