Cécile Hua
Cécile Hua grew up in Marseille, the ancient port city where perfumery runs in the blood. Of French and Vietnamese heritage, she trained at the prestigious Givaudan Roure Perfumery School in Grasse and graduated first in her class. She joined Givaudan as a Junior Perfumer in 1996 and spent seven years refining her craft within one of the industry's most rigorous training programs. Her early work in luxury fine fragrance took her from Paris to New York, where she built fifteen years of expertise creating scents for prestigious houses. She became the first recipient of the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award for Fragrance Design, a recognition that marked her as a rising force in American perfumery. Today she works as a senior perfumer at MANE while continuing her close partnership with Arielle Shoshana, the independent brand known for its emotional, day-themed fragrances. A mother of four, she brings the same focus and dedication to her studio that she brings to raising her family.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Cécile composes
Cécile favors natural materials and technical innovation. She pioneered the first natural passion fruit extract in perfumery using a proprietary CO2 extraction technique, a testament to her willingness to push boundaries in ingredient development. Her style balances richness with restraint, layering vibrant botanicals against clean, modern foundations. She draws on her Mediterranean origins, incorporating bright citrus, aromatic herbs, and sun-warmed florals. Her fragrances tend toward emotional depth and intimate appeal rather than dramatic first impressions. She works comfortably across floral, fruity, and fresh oriental categories, bringing sophistication and care to each.
Philosophy
What drives Cécile
Cécile believes fragrance is memory made tangible. She creates scents that capture specific emotional moments rather than abstract concepts, working to transform a feeling into something you can wear. She is drawn to natural materials and innovative extraction methods that preserve the authentic character of raw ingredients. For her, each fragrance is a conversation between the wearer and their own past. She approaches each brief with patience and precision, willing to iterate extensively until the emotional truth of a scent emerges. Her work with Arielle Shoshana reflects this philosophy clearly: each fragrance represents a different day, a different mood, a different relationship with time itself.
The houses