Valeriya Karmanova
Valeriya Karmanova grew up amid the quiet streets of St. Petersburg, where the scent of linden trees and river mist sparked her curiosity as a child. She enrolled in the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology, where she earned a degree in fine fragrance chemistry. After graduation she spent several years assisting senior noses at boutique houses in Moscow, learning the discipline of balance and the power of contrast. Her first public credit arrived in 2020 with Owl Совушка‑сова, a composition that pairs walnut, hazelnut, barberry and raspberry in a daring yet elegant structure. Critics praised the fragrance for its unexpected warmth and precise execution. Since then Valeriya has contributed to a handful of niche releases, each marked by a clear sense of place and an insistence on texture. She continues to work from a modest studio in the city, collaborating with independent brands that share her love of honest, tactile scent.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Valeriya composes
Valeriya’s signature technique revolves around juxtaposing nutty accords with bright fruit, creating a bridge between comfort and surprise. She often builds a base of linden blossom or other white florals, then layers in resinous woods to add depth. Her use of walnut and hazelnut as structural pillars sets her work apart, while a careful dose of barberry injects a subtle acidity that keeps the scent from settling. She favors a clean, linear architecture that lets each ingredient speak directly, avoiding unnecessary embellishment.
Philosophy
What drives Valeriya
Valeriya believes that scent should feel like a tactile object, something you can trace with your fingers as well as your memory. She approaches each brief by first asking what feeling she wants the wearer to hold in their hand, then translates that into aroma. Natural ingredients earn her respect for their character, but she does not shy away from synthetics that can sharpen a note or extend its life. For her, the most rewarding moments happen when a single accord can shift a composition from static to alive, inviting the wearer to explore its layers without losing its core identity.
The houses