Meet Thierry Wasser, Guerlain Master Perfumer

TheMerode has the honour of welcoming Thierry Wasser, Master Perfumer at Maison Guerlain, to reflect on the House’s savoir-faire.

The story begins in 1828 on the rue de Rivoli, where Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain blended chemistry, intuition, and modernity, setting the tone of ‘quiet luxury’ that captures the House’s essence.

From L'Eau de Cologne Impériale, created for Empress Eugenie, to a repertoire of over 1,100 fragrances spanning Shalimar, L’Heure Bleue, Habit Rouge, and the more recent Aqua Allegoria collection, Guerlain has become synonymous with understated elegance and artisanal mastery.

Since 2008, Thierry Wasser has continued this legacy, travelling the world to source natural raw materials while upholding the House’s values of respect for both people and the environment. From protecting biodiversity through the House of Guerlain’s work with bees to shaping new creations, he has been carrying on the House’s signature scents and the production secrets behind its fragrances.

This rare conversation moderated by Sofie Albrecht will explore how Thierry Wasser keeps Maison Guerlain’s heritage alive while remaining relevant today, and what the future holds for one of Europe’s oldest perfume House.