Nathalie Feisthauer
Nathalie Feisthauer entered the world of fragrance in 1983, when she earned a place at the Roure perfume school in Grasse. The rigorous curriculum sharpened her sense of balance and taught her how to translate memory into scent. In the early 1990s she moved to New York, where she opened the Estée Lauder account for Givaudan and collaborated with consultant Ann Gottlieb. Her tenure at Givaudan stretched fifteen years, during which she supplied major commercial houses with dozens of successful launches. A second chapter unfolded at Symrise, where she guided new product development from 2008 to 2014. Seeking full creative freedom, she founded LAB Scent in Montmartre in 2014, turning her studio into a laboratory for bespoke projects and limited‑edition releases. Today she balances commissions for niche brands with personal experiments, constantly refining the language of perfume.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Nathalie composes
In the studio Feisthauer favors a linear approach: she isolates a core accord, then builds outward with complementary facets. She often begins with a mineral or green element, adding depth through woods, resins, or subtle spices. Lavender, oakmoss, and ambergris appear frequently in her palette, but she pairs them with unexpected accents such as fig leaf or smoked tea. She prefers natural extracts when they convey texture, yet she does not shy away from synthetics that provide precision. Her signatures include a crisp opening that resolves into a warm, lingering base, creating a clear narrative that unfolds over time.
Philosophy
What drives Nathalie
Feisthauer treats each fragrance as a conversation between the past and the present. She believes that scent should evoke a precise feeling, not a vague impression, and she pursues that goal by anchoring compositions in a single emotional trigger. Her work respects the chemistry of the ingredients; she lets a note speak before layering, allowing the structure to emerge naturally. She values authenticity over trend, insisting that a perfume must stand on its own merit regardless of market expectations. This disciplined curiosity drives her to explore rare materials while honoring classic techniques.
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