Today, our spotlight falls on Meabh McCurtin, a perfumer whose creations are as enchanting and poetic as her native Ireland. Known for her deeply emotional and synesthetic approach to scent, Meabh beautifully creates fragrances inspired by misty landscapes and history. Let us take a look at her journey from the atmospheric shores of the Irish west coast to becoming a star in the fragrance industry.
From the Irish Coast to the Laboratory
Born and raised on the west coast of Ireland, Meabh McCurtin’s early life was steeped in exploration and the salty sea air. Raised on a university campus by a physicist and meteorologist father and a mother studying English, her childhood was filled with books and giant meteorological maps. She grew up playing the fiddle and piano in a travelling Irish band, collecting stories along the way.
Though she enjoyed pressing flowers and playing with a childhood perfumery kit complete with pipettes, Meabh did not initially intend to become a perfumer. Her academic path began with a degree in biochemistry at the National University of Ireland in Galway, followed by studies at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in Lyon. However, her curiosity and passion for scent eventually took over. Her journey led her through Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, and finally New York. Eventually, she joined the fragrance house IFF (International Flavours & Fragrances), where she refined her craft under the mentorship of the French master perfumer Dominique Ropion.
Style and Philosophy
Meabh approaches perfumery with the soul of a poet and the mind of a scientist. She draws heavily from the atmosphere of her homeland, the beautiful, atmospheric, vibrant, and historic greens of Ireland. She adopts the concept of synesthesia, blending colours and sounds into her scents.
She relies on intuition and connection, stating: “I can inhabit a space inside my mind that’s less about facts and more about connecting with people, connecting with ideas, and exploring through feelings, the entire synesthesia of smells. I want to feel that I’ve created something that resonates with people, and that they enjoy wearing.”
Her blend of science and artistic vision makes her stand out. She notably collaborated with artists to create Eau d’Amsterdam, utilising a unique headspace analysis of elm tree leaves and branches to capture the city’s exact scent. Furthermore, her exceptional work on Róisín Dubh for the Irish brand Cloon Keen won the Fragrance Foundation’s Best New Independent Fragrance award in 2019.
Notable Creations
Meabh McCurtin is the brilliant nose behind several gorgeous modern scents. Here are two of her standout creations:
Maison Margiela Replica Under the Stars
A deeply comforting woody-amber Replica fragrance that captures the mesmerising soul of a warm campfire in the wild. Meabh masterfully blended striking notes of black pepper and raw leather with the warm, smoky depth of oud and labdanum. The result is a mystical scent that perfectly reflects the magic of a night spent gazing at a starry sky.
Montblanc Signature Absolu
A radiant, feminine fragrance that presents a golden twist on the original. For this creation, Meabh created a luminous floral bouquet of tuberose, ylang-ylang, and frangipani, brightened by a sparkling opening of mandarin and pear. It melts beautifully into a creamy base of tonka bean and cedarwood, creating a sophisticated, versatile scent.
Find Meabh McCurtin’s fragrance creations and more at V Perfumes, your go-to perfume shop in Dubai. Shop at the best prices in the UAE and Gulf region and don’t miss out on exclusive offers online and in-store.
