Matiere Premiere
Fragrances with a focus on raw materials
Matiere Premiere is a French perfume house that bases each fragrance on a specific note or raw material, which it then develops and highlights, transforming it into perfumes of elegance and quality. A brand whose collection is like a palette of fragrance colours, where each shade is given space to shine in its purest form.
There are perfume houses – and then there are perfume houses. The French brand Matiere Premiere, founded in 2019, has in just a few short years established itself as one of the most respected players in modern niche perfumery. With a focus on raw material authenticity, transparency in production, and a consistently artistic expression, Matiere Premiere offers something that speaks both to the heart and the nose of fragrance lovers around the world.
But what exactly makes Matiere Premiere so special? How does their philosophy stand out from the crowd – and which are their most iconic fragrances? Let’s take a closer look.
MATIERE PREMIERE – A NAME WITH MEANING
The name Matiere Premiere is French and means “raw material” or “primary material.” It speaks directly to the brand’s philosophy: everything begins with the ingredients. Rather than concealing the raw materials’ natural scent profiles behind complex blends or constructed concepts, the brand highlights each fragrant substance as the lead character. Complementary notes are then added to support and enhance the raw material’s unique nuances and potential.
Although the fragrances are often minimalist in structure, they are anything but weak. There is power here—intensity and projection. Matiere Premiere is known for its Eau de Parfum concentrations, which truly deliver in terms of both longevity and character. The bottles are classically elegant, featuring thick glass, a black screw cap, and a bold label where the fragrance name takes center stage. The design perfectly reflects the brand's ethos: stripped-back yet distinctive.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
AURÉLIEN GUICHARD – THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND
The founder and nose behind all of Matiere Premiere’s fragrances is Aurélien Guichard, a French perfumer with extensive industry experience. With a background from the renowned ISIPCA perfume school in Versailles and a family heritage of perfumers and growers, the world of fragrance was a natural path for him.
What makes Guichard unique is that he is not just a perfumer – he’s also a grower. On his family’s land in Grasse, the heart of traditional perfumery, he cultivates organic roses and tuberose—two of the most iconic flowers in the perfume world. This gives him full control over the entire process, from soil to skin. It’s no surprise then, that the raw material takes center stage in all of Matiere Premiere’s creations.
SIGNATURE SCENTS AND BESTSELLERS
Matiere Premiere currently offers around ten fragrances, each built around a specific raw material. Among the most popular and talked-about are:
- Neroli Oranger
Key ingredient: Orange Blossom
(from both neroli oil and orange blossom absolute).
A fresh, summery, and aromatic citrus scent where orange blossom takes the lead, showcasing both its green, bitter floral aspect (neroli) and its sweeter, more voluptuous floral tone (absolute extract). - Vanilla Powder
Key ingredient: Vanilla from Madagascar.
A powdery, elegant vanilla scent without the cloying sweetness often associated with vanilla perfumes. It’s combined with notes like Palo Santo wood to create a sophisticated balance of warmth and dryness. A favorite for fans of subtle gourmand fragrances. - Crystal Saffron
Key ingredient: Saffron.
An unusual and modern scent built around the almost metallic, medicinal profile of saffron, combined with ambroxan and aldehydes. The result is a spicy and elegant composition. - Parisian Musc
Key ingredient: Ambrette.
A woody musk creation based on Peruvian ambrette seed, enhanced with the synthetic molecule Ambrettolide Supreme, offering a soft, skin-like warmth.
In conclusion: Matiere Premiere is more than a perfume house – it’s a fragrance philosophy. A tribute to nature’s richness and the perfumer’s artistry. And it’s precisely in this meeting—between earth and art—that the magic happens. If you’re curious to explore a brand that offers clear, easy-to-love yet sophisticated scents, then Matiere Premiere is a perfect place to begin.