Marc Zini
# Marc Zini: Master of Oriental Perfumery and Amber Compositions
## From Grasse to Global Recognition: A Perfumer's Journey
Marc Zini's path to becoming one of perfumery's most respected oriental specialists began in the flower fields of Grasse. Born to an Italian family in France's perfume capital, Zini initially pursued accounting before the irresistible pull of fragrance led him to join Charabot's research laboratory in 1977.
His formal training at the Charabot Perfumery School laid the foundation for a career that would span decades and continents. Since 1993, Zini has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman. These journeys profoundly shaped his understanding of oriental raw materials and regional scent preferences.
Currently working as a perfumer at Robertet, Zini has collaborated with diverse brands ranging from niche houses like Maison Crivelli to major retailers such as Zara. His versatility shines through partnerships with Jesus Del Pozo and Dr. Pierre Ricaud, demonstrating his ability to create compelling fragrances across different market segments.
Since 2018, Zini has served as a mentor at the Robertet School of Perfumery. This role reflects his commitment to nurturing future talent and sharing the knowledge accumulated through decades of creative work. His teaching ensures that traditional perfumery techniques continue to evolve with contemporary sensibilities.
## Signature Style: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Marc Zini's creative philosophy centers on emotion as the driving force behind every composition. His signature style masterfully blends classic perfumery traditions with modern elements, creating fragrances that feel both timeless and contemporary.
His preferred palette includes musk, vanilla, amber, and cedarwood, often enhanced with bergamot, cardamom, and patchouli. These ingredients form the backbone of his oriental and amber compositions, which have become his calling card in the industry.
[Iris Malikhân](/perfume/maison-crivelli-iris-malikhan) for Maison Crivelli exemplifies Zini's talent for creating surprising contrasts. This remarkable fragrance blends powdery, verdant iris with warm vanilla and leather, resulting in an intoxicating accord that defies conventional categorization. The composition opens with green notes of cypress and galbanum before revealing rich orris butter at its heart, finally settling into a warm embrace of vanilla, amber, and musk.
The fragrance showcases Zini's ability to balance delicate floral elements with robust, earthy components. His extensive Middle Eastern travels inform this approach, bringing depth and complexity that appeals to both regional preferences and international markets. This cross-cultural understanding has made him particularly valuable in today's global fragrance landscape, where brands seek perfumers who can create universally appealing yet distinctive compositions.
