Creation about the new launch that bears his signature: Miss Dior Parfum by Francis Kurkdjian, a reinterpretation of the 1947 fragrance inspired by Catherine Dior, the couturier ’s sister and muse , in response to the post-war situation. Transmitting joy through floral and fruity notes is what made this icon last forever. For Kurkdjian, the challenge lies precisely there: to revisit history, to make it his own and current.
L´OFFICIEL: How did you face this new challenge?
FRANCIS KURKDJIAN: More than a challenge, I felt a great commitment to keep the Christian Dior dream alive in difficult times for humanity. It brought me great happiness!
L´O: What was the process of becoming a new Miss Dior?
FK: I won’t say it’s simple because there are a lot of responsibilities, but it’s something great because it starts with browsing the archives of the maison . We did a lot of research on the original fragrance not only on a chemical level to understand how it smelled but also how it was made and what was behind it, from inspirations to documents. It was an entertaining journey because it’s always interesting to follow in the footsteps of the creator, trying to understand what he had in mind without losing sight of the contemporary.
“We did a lot of research on the original fragrance not only at a chemical level to understand how it smelled but also how it was manufactured”
FK: Every day is different. On Monday mornings I start the week planning Dior’s activities and in the afternoon, the ones planned for my firm. At Dior I have many tasks, but the main one has to do with smelling and reformulating the fragrances that are in the works. We work with the team to improve the points we need in a very enriching back and forth. On several occasions I meet with Maria Grazia (Chiuri, creative director of Dior) to exchange ideas and organize launches, how they will be on a global level, their communication. There are also many projects that I cannot share for now. It is a comprehensive production carried out with great professionals.
L´O: Miss Dior is often one of the first fragrances chosen by young women. How do you see this preference?
FK: Miss Dior essentially speaks to the youthful spirit. It represents creativity and joy in a very elegant and French way.
L´O. How do you imagine the fragrances of the future?
FK: How far away is your future? ( laughs ). There are so many ways to think about it! We can assume that biotechnologies will come along that will change our ways of thinking about fragrances, how to perfume ourselves, how to reproduce essential oils without the need to grow flowers, why not? There are already processes that speak to us of the future, such as avoiding those notes that are extracted from animals or are made synthetically. I even imagine the possibility of not using perfumes on the skin. In the Renaissance, they were applied to different accessories or perfumed jewelry. Would it be a good idea to take up and rethink those devices with new technologies? Maybe! And if we want to go even further, we can risk that fragrances will no longer be liquid. I think of a kind of chip in your brain that can modify the sense of smell. I could go on… but now I have to concentrate on thinking about the next perfume.