dsm-firmenich Names Salamagne and Voelkl Master Perfumers
dsm-firmenich has announced the promotion of two of its most accomplished talents,
Marie Salamagne and Frank Voelkl, to the prestigious rank of Master Perfumers. These
appointments, the first announced in Fine Fragrance since 2016, underscore the rarity and
highly selective nature of this distinction within dsm-firmenich.
Recognition at the Highest Level of Perfumery
The title of Master Perfumer is reserved for a select group of fragrance creators whose careers,
perseverance, character and impact have profoundly shaped contemporary perfumery. An
exceptional distinction, it represents the culmination of years of dedication, discipline and
creative excellence at the highest level.
Within a fragrance house, a Master Perfumer plays a pivotal role: serving as a guardian of
olfactive excellence, a master of the ingredient palette that they continuously explore, enrich
and reinvent, a key driver of innovation at the intersection of science and creativity, and a
mentor committed to nurturing and inspiring future generations of perfumers.
“We are especially proud to see Marie Salamagne and Frank Voelkl join the ranks of our Master
Perfumers. Being named a Master Perfumer at dsm-firmenich is a rare distinction that
recognizes exceptional talents whose creations combine artistic excellence with commercial
success, generating some of the industry’s most significant fragrance achievements for brands
around the world,” said Emmanuel Butstraen, President Perfumery & Beauty, dsm-
firmenich.
“Marie and Frank truly embody what it means to be a Master Perfumer today: exceptional
creativity, a deep mastery of our ingredient palette and a rare ability to advance the art of
1/4perfumery through a vision that is both bold and innovative,” added Jonathan Simon,
President Global Fine Fragrance, dsm-firmenich.
A Circle of Excellence
With these appointments, Marie Salamagne and Frank Voelkl join dsm-firmenich’s Fine
Fragrance Master Perfumers: Alberto Morillas, Olivier Cresp, Honorine Blanc and Nathalie
Lorson. Together, they embody a demanding, contemporary and resolutely innovative vision of
perfumery, where creative excellence, mastery of raw materials and a pioneering spirit come
together to shape the future of the craft.
Marie Salamagne: The Pursuit of Harmony and Emotion
A perfumer with a unique sensibility, Marie Salamagne developed an instinctive relationship
with scent from an early age. Born and raised in Paris in a family of physicians, she first pursued
medical studies before turning to chemistry. Discovering ISIPCA proved to be a revelation and
led her to fully embrace perfumery.
She began her career at a Grasse fragrance house, working closely with natural raw materials,
before joining dsm-firmenich in 2001, where she trained under some of the industry’s most
respected figures, including Olivier Cresp.
Marked by perseverance, high standards and an unwavering passion for the craft, her journey
has led her to create fragrances that are both universal and deeply distinctive, resonating with
a global audience while leaving an immediately recognizable olfactive signature.
Among her most iconic creations are Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic (Guerlain), Beach Walk
and By the Fireplace (Maison Margiela), Histoire d’Orangers (L’Artisan Parfumeur), Black Opium
and Muse (Yves Saint Laurent), Soie Malaquais (Dries Van Noten), Fame (rabanne), Orange
Marmalade (Jo Malone London), I Want Choo Le Parfum (Jimmy Choo), Flora Gorgeous Orchid
(Gucci), Polo 67 (Ralph Lauren), and the recent blockbuster Paradigme (Prada). Marie has also
built long-standing partnerships with iconic designer brands such as Azzedine Alaïa, Issey
Miyake, and Kenzo.
Through her creations, Marie Salamagne champions a perfumery of emotion and conviction,
where technical mastery serves a deeply human vision: creating fragrances that accompany
life’s moments with humility, excellence and a constant spirit of reinvention.
Frank Voelkl: A Journey of Passion and Purpose
Born in Germany, Frank Voelkl developed an olfactive sensibility shaped by contrasts from an
early age: the raw scents of nature from his childhood and the elegance of the perfumes worn
2/4by his mother. His adolescence in Paris marked a decisive turning point, awakening his vocation
for perfumery.
After studying chemistry, he attended ISIPCA before beginning his career in Germany and
later continued his journey in New York. His encounter with Maurice Roucel played a defining
role in his training, guiding him toward more streamlined and assertive compositions.
Based in the United States for the past 30 years, he has developed an international signature
influenced by his multicultural background and his ability to transform intuition into global
success.
Among his most celebrated creations are Gucci Bamboo (Gucci), Tuscan Leather Intense (Tom
Ford), You, You Rêve and You Doux (Glossier), Velvet Amber Sun (Dolce&Gabbana), Eternity
Aromatic Essence for Men (Calvin Klein), Zephirine (Liberty LBTY), Mood Ring and Father
Figure (Phlur), and Casa Blanca (House of BŌ), for leading American niche fragrance brands. His
celebrity fragrance portfolio has further expanded his reach, with creations for Billie Eilish,
Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and, more recently, Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”) for
his Papatui brand. His long-standing collaboration with the iconic slow perfumery house Le
Labo has resulted in nearly twenty globally recognized fragrances, including the cult
classic Santal 33, alongside Thé Noir 29, Thé Matcha 26, Baie 19 and Violette 30.
Committed to knowledge-sharing, he embodies a vision of the profession guided by integrity
and generosity, where creation exists in continuity with heritage, innovation and mentorship.
A Celebration of Creativity
Through these appointments, dsm-firmenich reaffirms its ambition to elevate the art of
fragrance creation through signature perfumes that leave a lasting impression on consumers
around the world.
These appointments will be celebrated during a ceremony taking place in September 2026, in
Paris, bringing together the perfumery community and dsm-firmenich partners to honor their
careers and exceptional contributions to the craft.
