Oswald Pare
Oswald Paré grew up surrounded by fragrance. His grandmother collected perfumes, and as a child, he found himself drawn to the bottles on her dresser, captivated by what he later described as the 'magic' of scent. That childhood fascination never faded. Rather than pursue formal training, Paré immersed himself in the world of fragrance for years, teaching himself the mechanics of raw materials and composition through hands-on exploration. In 2019, he founded Motif Olfactif, building the brand from the ground up entirely on his own: formulating every fragrance, designing every label, and overseeing every element of packaging. Paré operates outside the traditional fragrance industry structure, which has allowed him to move at his own pace and on his own terms. He speaks openly about being a self-taught perfumer, wearing that background as a point of pride rather than a limitation. His work reflects the curiosity that started everything.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Oswald composes
Paré gravitates toward warm, deep compositions with an earthy sensibility. Coffee appears as a recurring anchor in his work, typically supported by smoky woods, tobacco, and resinous materials that give his fragrances body and depth. Spices add complexity without brightness. His signature lean leans grounded rather than airy, favoring contrast and weight. Paré is known for producing limited, carefully considered releases rather than high-volume collections, and his 2024 edition of Brise d'Oud was offered in a signed and numbered lottery of just 25 bottles, underscoring his commitment to craft over output.
Philosophy
What drives Oswald
Curiosity drives everything Paré does. He approaches fragrance-making not from a place of market strategy but from genuine wonder about how materials interact and what they can evoke. His stated goal is simple: fragrances that resonate with people and, in doing so, bring joy. He has rejected the idea that a perfumer must follow established paths or meet industry expectations. Instead, Paré trusts his own nose and his own instincts, creating scents he believes in rather than chasing trends. That directness shapes both the work and the relationship he builds with those who wear it.
The houses