Stéphanie Bakouche
Stéphanie Bakouche grew up amid Parisian cafés and the scent of fresh baguettes, a childhood that sparked her fascination with aroma. At 22 she earned her diploma from ISIPCA, where Bertrand Duchaufour mentored her keen eye for nuance. Fresh from school she joined Givaudan, then Takasago, polishing her craft on projects for luxury houses such as Hermès and Cartier. While still a trainee in 2005 she composed her first fragrance, an experience that confirmed her path. In 2011 she launched Sensaba, carving a modest laboratory in Paris to test ideas without compromise. Recent months have seen her relocate to Grasse, the historic heart of perfumery, where she blends Parisian curiosity with Provençal tradition. Today she balances commissioned work for niche brands with independent creations, always seeking the moment a scent captures a memory.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Stéphanie composes
Stéphanie favors a transparent structure, often beginning with a clear top note that quickly reveals the heart. She reaches for natural absolutes—rose de mai, jasmine sambac, and Tunisian orange blossom—paired with subtle synthetics that extend longevity without masking authenticity. Her compositions frequently feature a mineral edge, introduced through a whisper of sea salt or a trace of ozone accord, grounding floral richness. She layers accords in small increments, testing each addition on skin to gauge evolution. The result is a balanced perfume that breathes, shifts, and settles gracefully.
Philosophy
What drives Stéphanie
Stéphanie believes a perfume should echo a lived instant, not a distant fantasy. She listens to the way light hits a petal, the texture of a silk scarf, the echo of a city street at dusk. Those observations become the blueprint for each formula. She treats raw materials as characters, allowing them to converse rather than dominate. The process demands patience; she lets a blend rest, then returns with fresh ears. This disciplined curiosity drives her to revisit familiar accords, extracting new facets each time. For her, success means a wearer feels instantly recognized, as if the scent were a quiet companion.
The houses
Maisons Stéphanie composes for
In the same league