Rajiv Sheth
Rajiv Sheth's path to becoming one of India's most respected perfumers began not in a laboratory but in the lecture halls of the University of Mumbai, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. The molecules he studied there would eventually become the building blocks of his second life. He took that foundation to Versailles, enrolling at ISIPCA, the legendary perfumery school housed in the former stables of the Château de Versailles. As part of the Promotion Guerlain class of 1996, Sheth trained under some of the most exacting noses in the industry. Following graduation, he immersed himself for over sixteen years in the two cities that define fine fragrance: Paris, where the great houses set the creative agenda, and Grasse, the Provençal town that remains the spiritual home of natural raw materials. That dual exposure shaped his sensibility. He learned the discipline of haute parfumerie in Parisian ateliers and the raw poetry of naturals in the fields and distilleries of southern France. When Sheth returned to India, he carried a clear ambition: to elevate the country's fragrance culture and train a new generation of Indian noses. He founded All Good Scents (a venture of Just Scents Pvt. Ltd.) and positioned himself as both creative director and educator. He also brought Cinquième Sens, the French perfumery institute, to India as its exclusive licensee, opening doors for aspiring perfumers who previously had to travel abroad for serious training. His work introducing perfume pairing concepts to the Indian market has further cemented his reputation as a bridge between French heritage and South Asian creativity.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Rajiv composes
Trained in the Guerlain tradition at ISIPCA, Sheth carries the technical rigor of classical French perfumery into every composition. His background in chemistry gives him a structural mind; he builds fragrances from the molecule up, paying close attention to how individual materials behave over time on skin. His years in Grasse deepened his respect for naturals, and his palette reflects that fluency: rich absolutes, distilled essences, and carefully selected synthetics that extend and brighten natural bases. Rather than chasing trends, he favors compositions with clear architecture, a defined top, a confident heart, and a base that lingers with intention. His teaching materials and public discussions reveal an perfumer equally comfortable discussing IFRA compliance and the poetry of a single drop of tuberose absolute.
Philosophy
What drives Rajiv
Sheth approaches perfumery as both craft and education. He believes fragrance should not remain locked behind the closed doors of corporate labs. Through workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship programs, he actively demystifies the discipline, teaching students how to evaluate accords, identify raw materials, and ultimately compose. His creative work tends toward what he describes as an avant-garde sensibility: compositions that respect classical French structure while pushing toward unexpected territories. He has spoken about pairing fragrances with food, spaces, and moods, a conceptual framework that treats scent as a living, contextual art form rather than a static product. For Sheth, a great perfume must do more than smell pleasant; it must teach the wearer something about their own perception.
The houses