Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work as a perfumer? We’ve got the answers for you! Welcome to our Behind the Scenes series, where we sit down with some of the industry’s top perfumers to give you a glimpse into what life is like in this fascinating profession.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we sat down with Catherine Selig, the perfumer behind CLEAN CLASSIC Simply Clean, to discuss her journey in the fragrance industry, the women who inspire her, and more!
CBC: Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a perfumer?
CS: I followed in the footsteps of my great grandfather Meinrad Hilfiger who was a master perfumer during the 19th century. At the age of 10 my father handed me his formula book and my journey to become a perfumer started.
CBC: The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias. Do you feel you’ve faced any unique challenges as a woman in this industry?
CS: I think the biggest challenge women face in our industry is nurturing a creative mindset while managing fast-paced business demands and personal life.
CBC: What does a typical day look like for you?
CS: A typical day for me starts early in the morning with the intention of being present in the moment for most of the day.
CBC: How did you begin creating CLEAN CLASSIC Simply Clean?
CS: When I created CLEAN CLASSIC Simply Clean, my intention was to infuse comfort in the scent to contrast with its crisp freshness. I had an image of sitting outside on a deck wrapped in a warm blanket looking at a ray of sunshine.
CBC: The majority of perfume customers and wearers are women. What’s your favorite thing about creating products for this audience?
CS: It makes me happy to think about which emotions and memories a particular scent will create for women. I view fragrances as an olfactive companion that reminds women every day how unique, powerful, and important they are.
CBC: Finally, we’d love to know about a woman who inspires you, either personally or professionally!
I am constantly inspired by great women I met or read about from all around the world who just live their truth.
