Richard Herpin

From Cannes to worldwide recognition

Richard Erpen is a perfumer whose career is an inspiring example of the evolution from a dreamy young man from Cannes to a respected expert in the world's largest perfume houses. Raised on the French Riviera in an antique dealer's family, he was immersed in the world of exquisite objects and scents from childhood. His fateful encounter with the legendary "nose" Pierre Bourdon, a friend of the family, essentially opened the door to the world of perfumery for Richard. This unique start predetermined his path into the industry.

A career woven from fragrances for industry giants

Starting his professional career at Firmenich in 1993, Erpen quickly established himself as a master capable of creating successful fragrances for a wide range of audiences. His portfolio is an impressive map of collaborations with leading brands. He has worked on fresh and playful compositions for Escada and Clean, bringing lightness to the iconic lines of Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein. His talent has also been in demand at fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and luxury jewelry brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels.

Signature style and iconic creations

Richard Herpen's style is distinguished by its remarkable versatility. He creates rich, fruity-floral bouquets, such as those in the Marc Jacobs Daisy line, and deep, complex oriental compositions with equal virtuosity. A striking example of the latter is his work on Amouage - Opus VIII, the eighth volume in the brand's prestigious Library Collection, which he co-authored. His iconic works also include the seductive Van Cleef & Arpels - Birmane, which became his first major success, and incredibly popular summer versions such as Calvin Klein - CK One Summer (2009).

Personal perfume vision: the birth of Precious Liquid

Having gained tremendous experience in the world of commercial perfumery, Erpen took a bold step towards independence. In 2017, he left Firmenich and founded his own niche brand, Precious Liquid, with his wife. This project became a creative laboratory for him, where he was able to fully express his philosophical vision of fragrance as a "precious liquid" capable of conveying emotions and stories. The Exquisite, Pure, and Texture Collection lines demonstrate his mastery in working with rare materials and complex accords.

The evolution of the master and his influence today

Today, Richard Erpen continues his journey at Mane, remaining a sought-after author. He masterfully balances commercial projects for global brands with intimate, conceptual works for niche houses such as Pinrose and The House Of Potentia. His biography is a story of incredible adaptability and passion for his craft, which inspires both novice perfumers and true fragrance connoisseurs around the world.