Jacques Polge | Perfumer

A formative chapter in Chanel’s modern fragrance identity

Jacques Polge studied English and literature before entering a traditional perfumery apprenticeship in Grasse. His early professional experience included work at Roure, followed by his appointment as Chanel’s head perfumer in 1978.

Over the following decades, he helped shape the house’s modern fragrance identity through creations including Coco, Égoïste, Allure, Coco Mademoiselle, Chance and Bleu de Chanel. His work also extended to Les Exclusifs, with shared creations involving Christopher Sheldrake.

Polge’s son Olivier joined Chanel in 2013 and later succeeded him as the house’s perfumer. Olivier’s interviews describe a working environment in which ideas and trials were discussed together, with Jacques continuing to contribute his experience. The career connects authorship with continuity: creating new perfumes for a fashion house while understanding the materials, references and standards that give its fragrance world a recognisable character.