Ilias Ermenidis | Perfumer

A Greek heritage and an international creative life

Ilias Ermenidis was born in Istanbul and spent his early childhood there before moving to Athens. Summer internships in his father’s perfume and flavour factory introduced him to the materials and working life of the industry.

He studied perfumery in Paris and became the first apprentice perfumer recruited by Firmenich. After a decade between Paris and Geneva, he moved to New York, spending twenty-five years there before returning to Paris in 2019.

Ermenidis describes himself as shaped by many countries while remaining closely connected to his Greek heritage. Art and opera form part of his creative interests, alongside an enthusiasm for abstract olfactory forms. He is especially interested in the moment when an idea becomes a fragrance. In his account, that transformation is also collaborative: colleagues, clients and the people who inspire a project help bring the composition to life. His career joins formal training with a long experience of different cultures and audiences.