Gabriela Maldonaldo
Gabriela Maldonado Gasco brings an unusual perspective to fragrance creation: one shaped by her early fascination with marine biology and the interconnected ecosystems of the natural world. As a Senior Perfumer at IFF, she has developed a signature approach that treats each fragrance as a living system, where ingredients interact, layer, and evolve in harmony. Her work on Tropicalia, a vibrant fruit cocktail composition, showcased her ability to translate the sensory richness of tropical environments into wearable olfactory narratives. She has also created Esplendor, a fragrance that reflects her broader commitment to crafting scents with emotional depth and complexity. Gabriela's training at IFF equipped her with the technical precision to execute ambitious creative visions, while her curiosity about nature continues to inform her methodology. Based in Miami, she draws inspiration from the city's cultural diversity and proximity to both Caribbean and Latin American sensory traditions. Her background suggests a perfumer who approaches her work as both scientist and storyteller, interested in how fragrance can capture specific moments, landscapes, and moods.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Gabriela composes
Gabriela's stylistic signature lies in her confident handling of fruit-forward compositions and her ability to layer tropical ingredients into complex, multi-dimensional scents. She appears drawn to ingredients that carry vivid sensory associations, particularly those evoking warmth, abundance, and natural richness. Her work on Tropicalia suggests a preference for playful, energetic fruity mixes rather than subdued or minimal approaches. She demonstrates an understanding of how marine and aquatic notes can provide contrast and freshness within richer compositions. Her technical execution shows the influence of IFF's training, with careful attention to how top, heart, and base notes unfold on the skin. Gabriela seems to favor fragrances that feel celebratory and alive, though she appears capable of restraint and sophistication when a composition requires it. Her style reads as contemporary and confident, informed by both classical perfumery technique and a modern sensibility about what consumers seek in new fragrances.
Philosophy
What drives Gabriela
Gabriela's creative philosophy centers on the idea that fragrance should function as an immersive experience, drawing the wearer into a world of sensory detail. She approaches each composition with the curiosity of an explorer, seeking to understand how individual ingredients behave within a formula and how they interact with skin chemistry. Her work tends toward the vivid and expressive, with a particular interest in how fruity and tropical notes can evoke specific atmospheres without becoming superficial. She has spoken about her desire to be a marine biologist and her ongoing connection to the natural world, suggesting a perfumer who values authenticity and biological truth in her creations. Gabriela seems driven by the challenge of translating non-olfactory experiences—sights, sensations, memories—into scent, a practice that requires both technical mastery and emotional intelligence. Her philosophy prioritizes balance: bold enough to make an impression, refined enough to remain compelling over time.
The houses
Maisons Gabriela composes for
In the same league
