Manuel Mathieu Translates Art into Fragrance with His Debut Collection

The intersection of art and scent has long been an elusive terrain, but multidisciplinary artist Manuel Mathieu has now rendered it tangible with the unveiling of his debut fragrance collection, Manuel Mathieu Parfums. A harmonious extension of his visual practice, this olfactory trilogy—île noire, ECCCO, and Dsire—tells an intimate story of identity, transformation, and nostalgia. In collaboration with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), the collection is set to launch internationally in Spring 2025, with pre-orders opening ahead of the official release.

Mathieu, celebrated for his evocative paintings that bridge abstraction and figuration, discovered the art of fragrance during an artist residency in Paris. This encounter led to an unexpected yet organic exploration of scent as a new artistic medium—one that captures memory, history, and emotion in an entirely sensorial form. As the Artistic Director of his eponymous line, Mathieu approaches fragrance-making with the same layered complexity that defines his visual work.

The three fragrances, while interconnected, each possess a distinct narrative. They form what Mathieu describes as an archipelago—a metaphorical exploration of heritage and personal storytelling.

île noire is the most deeply personal fragrance in the collection, transporting wearers to the artist’s childhood in Haiti. Jasmine—a nod to his sister’s bedroom window—introduces a floral softness that intertwines with warm ambergris, evoking both the vastness of the sea and the fluidity of memory. Tobacco notes add a grounding richness, paying homage to Haiti’s cultural landscape. The result is a fragrance that feels both deeply familiar and boundless—a spiritual and aromatic dive into the past.

The experience of île noire is one of layered complexity. The initial burst of jasmine and salt air is immediately transportive, but as the scent settles, it evolves into a deeper, more enigmatic warmth. It is not a mere nostalgia trip—it is a reclamation of heritage, a scent that tells its own story with grace and depth.

If île noire is memory distilled, ECCCO is transformation embodied. Inspired by the power of nature’s regenerative force, this fragrance unfolds like a volcanic eruption—bold, fiery, and alive with movement. Smoky florals and charred fruits set the stage, while the richness of sandalwood, vanilla, citrus, and leather adds depth and contrast.

The interplay between light and dark notes is striking. The citrus and charred fruit introduce a burst of unexpected brightness before surrendering to the depth of wood and leather. It is a scent that evolves with time, mimicking the very act of rebirth and resilience that inspired it. Wearing ECCCO is akin to witnessing nature’s ability to reinvent itself—dynamic, powerful, and unapologetically bold.

A stark contrast to its fiery counterpart, Dsire is an ode to tenderness and connection. Centered around frangipani—an emblem of Mathieu’s childhood garden—the fragrance exudes warmth and quiet seduction. Vetiver and musk ground the composition, ensuring a depth that lingers on the skin long after the initial impression.

If île noire is a tribute to roots and ECCCO is a testament to transformation, then Dsire is the gentle embrace that ties them together. There is an undeniable sensuality to its composition, yet it remains understated, allowing its wearer to define the experience. It whispers rather than shouts, inviting rather than commanding.

Beyond scent, Mathieu’s artistic influence extends into the very vessels that hold these fragrances. Each bottle is conceived in his ceramic studio, shaped from clay with organic, sculptural forms that carry the imprint of his hand. Inspired by natural landscapes, the design mirrors a mountain’s silhouette—a tribute to his homeland and artistic heritage.

This tactile, handcrafted approach to packaging reinforces Mathieu’s philosophy: fragrance is not merely a luxury but an art form, one that deserves the same intentionality and craftsmanship as a painting or sculpture. It is not mass-produced perfection; it is a personal, almost intimate act of creation.

Mathieu’s foray into fragrance is not a mere dalliance—it is an extension of his artistic language, a new medium through which to tell stories. With Manuel Mathieu Parfums, he does not simply bottle scent; he captures memory, emotion, and identity in a way that is deeply personal yet universally resonant.

This collection will undoubtedly appeal to fragrance connoisseurs who seek depth in their scents—those who view perfume not as an accessory but as a narrative. For those eager to embark on this olfactory journey, pre-orders are now open at manuelmathieuparfums.com/en/.