Ugo Charron

# Ugo Charron: The Synesthetic Perfumer Redefining Modern Scent

## From Science to Synesthesia: A New Generation Perfumer

Ugo Charron represents a fresh wave of perfumers who blend scientific precision with artistic innovation. Born in France's Sancerre wine region, his journey into perfumery began at age 14 after reading Patrick Süskind's "Perfume." This literary encounter sparked a passion that would lead him through rigorous training at ITECH Lyon and ICAP Montpellier.

What sets Charron apart is his synesthetic approach to fragrance creation. He translates colors, sounds, and textures into scent compositions, creating multi-sensory experiences that challenge traditional perfumery boundaries. This unique perspective stems from his diverse background combining chemistry expertise with artistic sensibilities inherited from his educator parents.

Currently working as a Fine Fragrance Perfumer at MANE in New York City since 2020, Charron trained under renowned perfumer Christophe Laudamiel for nearly four years. This mentorship profoundly shaped his creative philosophy of never diluting strong ideas and always feeling before creating.

His collaborative spirit extends beyond traditional perfumery. He's worked with brands like Snif, creating unconventional scents like "Dead Dinosaur," and partnered with Keap for their Full Circle Collection. Perhaps most remarkably, he collaborated with Emmanuelle Dancourt, who has anosmia, to create UMEMA - a fragrance centered around the taste of umami, proving that scent creation can transcend traditional sensory limitations.

## Minimalist Innovation and Cross-Modal Creativity

Charron's signature style favors minimalism with maximum impact. He prefers short, well-defined formulas where every ingredient serves a purpose. While he doesn't claim a definitive signature yet, his creations often feature leathery, smoky, and salty skin-like qualities that intrigue and challenge the wearer's expectations.

His notable creation [Fleur Danger](/perfume/thomas-de-monaco-fleur-danger) for Thomas De Monaco exemplifies his innovative approach. This extrait de parfum combines metallic aldehydes with sweet raspberry, creating an unexpected contrast that evolves into warm rum and saffron before settling on creamy sandalwood. The fragrance demonstrates his ability to balance opposing elements into harmonious compositions.

Beyond individual fragrances, Charron pushes creative boundaries through cross-modal projects. He's developed scents for paintings, created olfactory signatures for music festivals with Cercle, and even performs as a synth player in the electro duo Cosmic Gardens, which combines live music with scent diffusion.

In 2022, Charron and Laudamiel won the Art and Olfaction Award for "Saskia" by Grandiflora, establishing his reputation as a rising talent. His philosophy of sharing knowledge and collaborative creation represents a departure from perfumery's traditionally secretive nature, contributing to a more open and innovative industry future.