Interview with Jean-Paul Millet Lage of Maître Parfumeur et Gantier

When the House of Maître Parfumeur et Gantier ("Master Perfumer and Glovemaker”) was founded by the late Jean-François Laporte, the original creator of L'Artisan Parfumeur in 1977; at that time there were few, if any niche perfumery brands. M. Laporte left to start Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier in 1988. The brand was bought by passionate perfumista and nose Jean-Paul Millet Lage in 1997 and is somewhat under the radar for many perfume lovers. M. Millet Lage's first big success as thenose for the Company was in 2005 with Bahiana and he continues to preserve M.LaPorte's unique sensibility and commitment to old world quality and modern luxury as he evolves Maître Parfumeur et Gantier to appeal to a contemporary audience. 
 
Why was the brand named Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier?

JPML: In 1656, under the reign of the King Louis XIV, perfumers has been recognized by the King as a royal corporation under the name : Maitre Gantier et Parfumeur. Indeed, first, these artisans had gloves workshops as our gloves must be perfumed. Jean Laporte had the idea to use this glorious time in French History, so he chose and registered the brand name by reversing the words : Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier instead of Maitre Gantier et Parfumeur as his main work was to be a perfumer, not a glove maker. 



What did M. Laporte want to accomplish that was different from his work at L’Artisan Parfumeur? 

JPML: He wished to create a new brand with more references from and to the history of French perfumery which began during the Renaissance under Catherine de Medici. During this time, the city of Grasse was the center (as it is today) with its large fields of orange trees and the cultures of plants with perfumes such as Rose, Carnation, Tuberose, Violet and Jasmine. At the same time, the French companies of the East Indies had given perfumers a direct access to numerous exotic elements.Rose Opulente, Ambre Précieux, Secrete Datura, Parfum d'Habit are some examples of perfumes showing his approach. Even the baroque bottles and caps (I modified the bottles 8 years ago) evoke a sense of luxury from the 16th and 17th Centuries. (clique aqui para ler a entrevista completa)