Andrew Kobus started his perfumery training in the early 1980’s in the small town of Grasse. Situated in the South of France, the region’s semi-tropical climate sustains a wide variety of aromatic plants and at that time was regarded as the capital of the perfumery world. He learnt the skills of creative perfumery under the guidance of Monsieur G. Coeur at the Charabot Perfumery School and was taught in the traditional way without the use of analytical equipment.
His international career has been European based, working as Creative Perfumer and latterly Chief Perfumer for some of the leading fragrance houses. He has developed fragrances for national, international, mass-market and prestigious brands. A curiosity and enthusiasm for new and intriguing odours has led him into the heart of the Brazilian rain forest and to other remote areas of the world.
Andrew’s skills lie in creating alcoholic and toiletry fragrances. Most of these fragrances come with a proliferation of ideas, concepts and enthusiasm that he enjoys sharing with others. He is approachable, open to new ideas and particularly likes developing fragrances with imaginative individuals who feel passionately about their subject.
Although his academic background is scientific, he sees perfumery as a sensual craft. "Like a musician who guides and pushes his/her instruments to their limit in order to achieve new accords and sensations, I like to think of perfumery as music for the nose. It is not enough for a perfume to smell nice. I strive to make it sing and dance so that in some way, it strikes a chord with you."
In 1998 he set up a new venture that focuses on fragrance creation and concepts. The company, Perfume by Design, develops both commercial and artistic fragrances and has a flexible structure providing the right environment for innovation. With the sense of smell being the least predominant of all the senses, part of the company’s aim is to increase odour awareness and enjoyment.