Meet our perfumer, Dr. Fanny Grau

In celebration of International Fragrance Day, we spoke with Dr. Fanny Grau, our French perfumer with a PhD in chemistry and a background in fine fragrance research and development.

Fanny shares her journey into the world of perfumery, her collaboration with Abel founder Frances, and the innovative work behind the use of raw materials in our natural fragrances.

Fanny became our second ally in the quest to make natural fragrance world-class. She created Nurture and Pause and has since expanded our collection with the development and creation of our 100% natural Room Sprays.

"I come from a family of scientists and have always loved smells and colours. When I discovered the existence of perfumers, I immediately wanted to pursue this dream. So, I completed a PhD in chemistry, with the vision of being as close as possible to the creation of scent.

After an internship at Imperial Chemical Industries, my desire to become a perfumer grew stronger, and I started collecting raw materials in my fridge.

"I trained one-on-one with my mentor, Marc Vom Ende. I worked as a junior perfumer for a year in Mexico and then lived in Brazil for 10 years before returning to Paris."

"My collaboration with Frances (Abel founder) is built on clear, honest, and passionate communication. Even though we're apart for most of the year, we make sure to meet at least once annually in Europe, as we have for the past two years. For the rest of the time, we rely on technology to stay connected and communicate as often as necessary. We create together, but I particularly enjoy playing the role of a scent translator for her concepts."

“I like to experiment with new materials, novel accords... Patiently, ingredient by ingredient, I construct a harmony of olfactory notes that tell a story, an emotion, a voyage.

I usually try to translate things from the world — like emotions, memories, feelings, or even a colour — into the language of scent.”

“That is a very good question indeed, and we almost come to another question is science art? And vice versa? I believe science and art are extremely intertwined.”

"I am responsible for the development and improvement of our natural ingredients palette to be more ethically sourced and sustainable.

I guide the innovation team to explore new and unique ingredients or methods of extraction to create distinctive notes, that elevate the fragrance experience. It can involve discovering a new scent profile, enhancing an existing one, or even experimenting with completely new processes.

The materials I develop with the innovation team often shape trends and provide all Symrise perfumers tools to push creative boundaries.

Raw material development is the foundation of any fragrance, and it plays a critical role in driving innovation."

"Working with natural ingredients demands a deeper understanding of their complexity and variability. This requires not only a strong grasp of how these factors influence the final scent but also a creative mindset, as the limited range of ingredients challenges you to think outside the box."

"Sandalwood — transmits to me a sensation of comfort and intense well-being. When I meditate, its sacred scent helps me focus.

Iris — for its elegant and powdery notes that make me think of light-as-air fabric.

And Ambroxide — I am fond of it for its warmth, its softness: When it is applied to skin, it leaves a sensual note that’s long-lasting. It feels like a big hug."