Gaël Montero
Gaël Montero grew up between two worlds. French-Spanish by heritage and raised in Madrid, he discovered perfumery during his studies at Montpellier University, where his education took an unexpected turn when he began working in a niche perfume shop. That early immersion in Middle Eastern fragrance culture left a lasting imprint on his creative sensibility. He sharpened his technical skills under perfumer Jordi Fernández at Givaudan's Barcelona office, spending two formative years experimenting with raw materials before continuing his training at Givaudan's perfumery school in Paris. Prior to joining Givaudan, he worked as a perfumer assistant at Procter & Gamble. Today, Montero operates from Dubai, bringing a cosmopolitan perspective to a new generation of oriental fragrances.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Gaël composes
Montero has made his name mastering oriental fragrances, particularly the interplay between richness and restraint. He gravitates toward noble materials, with a particular affinity for oud, saffron, and musks. His compositions often center on woody contrasts, pairing the warmth of sandalwood with cooler, more contemporary elements like incense or pink pepper. White flowers, davana, and exotic fruits appear in his warmer, more intimate creations. His architectural instinct shapes how he builds fragrances from the ground up, ensuring each layer serves the whole.
Philosophy
What drives Gaël
Montero treats fragrance as architecture. Each composition demands a deliberate approach to structure, foundation, and balance. He approaches ingredients like a researcher, repeating trials and exploring multiple pathways before settling on a final formula. The emotional dimension of perfumery remains central to his practice. For Montero, scent captures a precise moment in someone's life, something deeply personal yet meant for sharing. His work seeks the sweet spot between power and elegance, always asking how tradition might speak a more modern language.