Cradled by the serene landscapes and legendary thermal springs of La Roche-Posay, Thibaud Crivelli grew up in a world where nature and tradition danced in quiet harmony – a setting that indelibly shaped his olfactory imagination. His childhood memories are steeped in the scents of seasons: the heady bloom of flowers in spring, autumn’s earthy chorus of rain-soaked ferns, the heartening aroma of roasted chestnuts in winter, and the sunlit brilliance of summers spent on the French Riviera, alive with citrus groves. These impressions became the foundation of a lifelong fascination with fragrance – a fascination that would lead him across continents and into the heart of haute perfumery.
After a decade in Asia, where vibrant cultures and raw-material plantations awakened his spirit of adventure, Crivelli returned to France with a singular vision: to create a fragrance house that redefines the art of perfume discovery. Founded on the principles of surprise and sensorial contrast, Maison Crivelli invites discovery through scents that are not merely worn but lived – fragrances that evolve, interact and transform with time and place. Today, as the creative force behind this avant-garde Maison, Crivelli speaks exclusively to Dream Weddings about his inspirations, his philosophy of fragrance as a living art, and the personal experiences that define his latest creations.
La Roche-Posay is a place where nature and tradition intertwine.How did growing up in this unique environment shape your sensibility towards fragrance, and what are the earliest scent memories that still linger with you today? The first image that comes to mind is our garden in spring – a vibrant sanctuary where peonies, roses, honeysuckle and a huge wisteria would burst into bloom. It was a fusion of colour framed by towering trees, alive with the hum of bees. The scent of freshly cut grass, warmed by the sun, was also something that always captivated me. Autumn brought its own poetry: the aroma of ferns, damp wood, rain-soaked soil and mud. Winter was defined by the comforting fragrance of chestnuts roasting, a ritual my father cherished. And then came summer, when my family and I would escape to the Mediterranean coast, enveloped by the bright, sun-drenched notes of lemons, figs and smoky barbecues. This deep connection to nature has always been woven into my life.
So, you always knew you’d follow the path to perfumery? Yes, I believe so. I could have pursued cosmetics – my father was a pharmacist, and he created his own cosmetic brand – but perfumery felt more poetic, more emotional.
You spent a decade in Asia, immersed in a diverse tapestry of cultures and traditions. How did this chapter influence your creative vision? At the age of 22, I moved to China and later lived in Singapore and Hong Kong – an experience that awakened my spirit of adventure and imagination. Asia’s vibrant colours, textures and the kindness of its people, set against landscapes so different from France, opened a world of sensory intensity. Exploring plantations of raw materials like tea and patchouli allowed me to connect with ingredients through a deeply sensorial approach, creating moments that I now translate into perfume. For me, fragrance begins not with technicality but with memories, sensations and surprise. Before founding my own fragrance house, I worked with Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy, yet I think I always knew I wanted to create something of my own. I’m a Gemini. I’m endlessly curious.
What was the guiding vision behind the creation of Maison Crivelli? Maison Crivelli was born from a desire to surprise – through scents that are both innovative and original – and to reimagine the way we discover fragrance. Perfume discovery is often mysterious, and many people struggle to articulate what truly moves them in a scent. For me, perfume has always been far more than a simple aroma. It’s a multi-sensory living experience – a moment where all our senses awaken and interact to convey something deeply personal and unique. With this philosophy in mind, I envisioned Maison Crivelli as a house where surprise and sensorial contrasts are not just details, but the very foundation of our creative process.
Could you delve deeper into what you mean by fragrance as a living experience? Of course. Perfumes are alive. They evolve over time, revealing new facets as they interact with the skin, but their vitality goes beyond chemistry. The experience of a fragrance is living because it’s shaped by everything around us. Think of synesthesia: smell a perfume at home, in a garden, on a bustling street, in daylight or under the stars, in the heat of summer or the stillness of winter – you’re encountering the same fragrance, yet the experience is never identical. Each moment, each setting and each season leaves its imprint, transforming the way the scent speaks to you. That fluidity, that dialogue with the world, is what makes perfume a truly living art.
Real-life moments of discovery and escapism undeniably underscore your brand’s philosophy, shaping the fragrances you bring into the world. I’d love to explore this further by talking about your Olfactory Escapes collection – a line that celebrates emblematic ingredients in unexpected ways…This collection goes a step further by focusing on a symbolic ingredient, different facets of which are explored in a variety of contexts. With this first collection dedicated to oud, we wanted to provide perfume lovers with a fully immersive experience centred around this legendary ingredient, while also surprising them with bold accords. Oud is an iconic and complex material celebrated for its richness and depth, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Globally, its popularity has grown significantly more recently. This made it the perfect choice for our Olfactory Escapes collection, enabling us to develop innovative creations that respect oud’s heritage while exploring fresh, daring directions, making it more inclusive and contemporary.
What personal stories or cherished memories served as inspiration for the fragrances in this collection? Oud Maracujá is inspired by the memory of eating passion fruit in the heart of an oud forest. That day, the temperature was at its highest. The air was heavy with humidity; the sun was glowing red in the sky. This experience, combining the woody richness of oud and the vibrant freshness of passion fruit, conveys the exotic feel and striking contrast of this tropical environment. Oud Stallion evokes the power and elegance of horses during a race. The leathery and smoky accords evoke the elegance of saddles and reins, while the spices echo the intensity and energy of this unforgettable encounter, capturing the strength and emotion of the experience.
And Oud Cadenza, the latest addition to the collection? Oud Cadenza is inspired by an experience of smelling oud at a secret party in a palm grove. This latest fragrance features a surprising contrast of oud with a date and toasted cane sugar accord.
Is there a particular note or accord within the collection that holds special significance for you? Yes, the passion fruit in Oud Maracujá is particularly striking to me. It was a daring bet to combine it with oud, but it brings a freshness and luminosity to the scent that contrasts with its woodiness and depth, creating a truly unique composition. Oud Maracujá has become one of my favourite perfumes for these reasons.
As the visionary behind a haute perfume house, what is the most rewarding part of this journey – the moment that truly captures the essence of why you create? Hearing how our creations resonate with people. I didn’t build this brand for myself – I created it for others. I built it to evoke emotion. I deeply believe in the power of being authentic. When clients reach out to tell us they value our authenticity, craftsmanship and the longevity of our perfumes, that affirmation means everything. It truly makes it all worth it.
Images courtesy of Maison Crivelli
