Jean-Pierre Béthouart is a perfumer-creator born in 1947 in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme. Highly sensitive, he developed a deep appreciation for the arts from an early age, particularly a passion for drawing, which he nurtured by reproducing the beautiful landscapes of the Baie de Somme. However, he took a different path by pursuing studies in chemistry to become a laboratory technician.
When applying for a job at Colgate-Palmolive, the omnipresence and intensity of scents had a profound impact on him, marking a decisive turning point. From that moment on, he dedicated his life to perfume. After spending ten years at Colgate, working in soap manufacturing, he had become a skilled perfumer, prompting Roure to recruit him in 1981 to develop scented toiletry products. His remarkable creations soon led him toward fine perfumery.
In 1988, he joined Firmenich, where he could fully express his creativity. Jean-Pierre Béthouart is the author of numerous iconic fragrances, including Boucheron (1988), Parfum Sacré by Caron (1990), Némo by Cacharel (2000), and Belle en Rykiel by Sonia Rykiel (2006).
Extracted from the interview of 00:47:53 mn, filmed on the 24th June 2021 in Herblay.
Writer and Interview director: David Richard
Production: Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum
Executive Production: EDEN
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