Master Perfumer

Stéphane Bengana

Stéphane Bengana grew up in Clermont-Ferrand, the city at the foot of the Massif Central's volcanic mountains. From an early age, he felt drawn to the chemistry of scent. He pursued that curiosity to ISIPCA in Paris, earning both a Masters in Chemistry and a DESS in Perfumery. His formal training complete, he joined Haarmann & Reimer in Paris, building his craft within one of the industry's most respected houses. Eventually he moved to Symrise, where he works among their roster of collaborative fine fragrance perfumers. Bengana has developed fragrances for both major houses and niche labels, including a notable partnership with Fragrance du Bois and work for the Casamorati 1888 line under Xerjoff. His trajectory reflects a rigorous academic foundation married to real-world creative output, a combination that has quietly positioned him as a perfumer worth knowing.

Active since 19981 house1 creations

See notable work

Output

Fragrances composed

Acclaim

3.9

Average rating

across the catalogue

Career

1998

First composition

The hits

Notable creations

The signature

How Stéphane composes

Bengana's signature leans toward warm, rich constructions built on bold spices—cardamom and pimento provide sharp openings that soften into caramel and coffee at the heart. His bases often anchor these with vetiver and cedar, wrapped in cashmeran's velvety warmth and grounded by vanilla and musk. The result tends toward opulent sillage that develops beautifully over hours on skin. He works comfortably across oriental and woody families, applying both classical ingredients and newer synthetics to achieve modern effects while retaining a sense of timelessness. His compositions suggest a preference for depth and persistence over airy lightness.

Philosophy

What drives Stéphane

Bengana approaches each fragrance as a study in balance, seeking contrasts that surprise without overwhelming. He draws inspiration from memory and sensory experience rather than trend cycles, preferring to build compositions that reward repeated wearing. His philosophy centers on accessibility within complexity—creating perfumes that invite the wearer to discover something new with each encounter. He has spoken about fragrance as storytelling, but the stories he favors tend toward restraint rather than spectacle, emotional resonance over novelty.

The houses