Exclusive Interview With Rising Talented British Persian Perfumer Shahrzad Pakbonyan in London
Shahrzad Pakbonyan is a gifted Perfumer and entrepreneur in London. Shahrzad Pakbonyan is British Iranian who was born in Paris in the capital of France. She is known to be an expert in identifying, mixing and creating perfume compositions, gifted with a fine sense of smell and has demonstrated over the many years her devotion to challenge herself to train and understand in depth the many detailed concepts of fragrance, her goal has always been to be capable of conveying new abstract concepts and unique moods with compositions.
Shahrzad Pakbonyan ability to mixing fragrance compositions are extremely impressive, those who experienced her talent in the luxury perfume industry have named her as an artist in her field because of her vast knowledge of different fragrance scents and it’s ingredients, she has demonstrated to distinguish each scent alone or in combination with others, identifying essential oils from synthetic materials. She has a very inspirational story, she is admired by everyone because of her knowledge in fragrance, her kindness & positive charisma dealing with clients. She has built her reputation in the luxury fragrance industry by spending close to a decade establishing herself working with varies different fragrance brands and at the most luxurious department stores such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Mason.
Can please tell our Lavish Life readers why did you leave Paris and move to the UK ?
When I was just a young girl, my parents made a very difficult decision to leave Paris and move to the UK. They did this in the hopes of providing a better future for myself and brother. It was a big sacrifice on their behalf, they were convinced that the UK would provide us with more opportunities and a better quality of life for us. This decision was not an easy one for my parents, as they had to leave behind their home, family, and friends in Iran and Paris but they were willing to make this sacrifice for our future.
Tell us was it easy to establish yourself in the perfumery industry ?
In the perfumery industry, establishing oneself in a new market can be difficult. I had to start from scratch, building new connections and networking to gain new clients and opportunities. This required a lot of hard work and dedication, but I was determined to make a name for myself in the UK perfumery industry. Despite these challenges, I was able to overcome them and establish myself successfully.
What advice do you give to young entrepreneurs starting in the fragrance industry ?
One of the most important pieces of advice I would like give is to never stop learning. The fragrance industry is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to stay up-to-date with new trends, ingredients, and techniques. I suggest reading books and articles about perfumery, attending workshops and seminars, and networking with other perfumers in the industry. Another piece of advice I would like to give is to be passionate about the craft. Perfumery is an art form, and it requires a lot of dedication and hard work to create a successful fragrance. I believe that one has to be passionate about the art of fragrance and the ingredients used to create a unique and meaningful scent. I would like to stress the importance of being creative. The fragrance industry is highly competitive, and it’s essential to stand out from the crowd. I always encourage young entrepreneurs to take risks and to experiment with new ingredients and techniques to create unique fragrances that will appeal to customers. Finally, my last advice is to be considerate of the environment, and to make sure your business practices are sustainable and eco-friendly. This will not only help protect the environment, but also it will also help to create a positive image for your brand and to create a loyal customer base.
Can you give us a description of the challenges when you first moved to UK?
When I moved to the UK at the age of 8, I faced a number of challenges related to adjusting to a new country. As a child, I had to navigate the difficulties of learning a new language and understanding a new culture. Despite my young age, I was determined to overcome these obstacles and make a new home for myself in the UK. One of the biggest challenges for me was learning English. I was fluent in French and Persian, but had to start from scratch with a new language. The process was difficult and at times frustrating, but I persevered and eventually became fluent in English. This was a crucial step in helping me feel more at home in my new country. Another challenge that I had faced was adapting to the cultural differences. Coming from a French-Iranian background, I had to get used to the customs and traditions of the UK, this was not always easy, I was open-minded and eager to learn more about my new home.
What are your dreams and goals ?
My ultimate dream and goal is to create my own luxury fragrance brand which offers a personalized experience enabling my customers to customize and bespoke scents according to their preferences, an offering which has not yet available with in the perfume industry. I have always been passionate about the art of perfumery particularly with in the luxury brand industry. Understanding my clients and assisting them in discovering and distinguishing notes that align or represent their personality. Over the years working in established department stores with access to worlds the best perfumes has enabled me to recognize preference in pallets of scents. I am constantly experimenting with different combinations and compositions,always pushing the boundaries to find the perfect scent that works with your individual body aroma.
Working within the luxury field it is important for me to positive influence in the industry. I try to ensure luxury brands are taking accountability for the products they are offering and ensure ingredients and packaging are sustainable. I believe we can all look and smell fabulous without damaging the planet.
By Lavish Life Publication Editorial Team
