David Benedek, the visionary founder behind the niche fragrance house BDK Parfums, is not just a master of olfactory artistry—he’s also a man with a deep appreciation for life’s finer details. From his love for travel and cuisine to his admiration for art, design, and craftsmanship, Benedek’s tastes are as refined and diverse as the perfumes he creates. Here is David Benedek in 12 of his favourite things.
Text Anja Van Der Borght
We had the chance to meet David Benedek at Bisous Amsterdam for the launch of his newest fragrance Rouge Smoking Extrait. More on the fragrance in this previous post.
What is your favorite island?
DB: “Iceland. Undoubtedly, my most beautiful trip.”
What is your favorite color?
DB: “Black. It’s not technically a color, but I think it really leaves room for imagination and depth. When I see black, there are already so many shades of it. It’s a very deep and intense ‘color’ that, for me, expresses something very assertive.”
Who is your favorite painter or sculptor?
DB: “I have many favorites. My favorite painter is Rothko. As for sculptors, I like Armand.”
Do you have a favorite sport?
DB: “I’m not a big sports enthusiast, but I do like tennis and especially skiing. I often go skiing in Les Trois Vallées. I enjoy it because it’s convenient, and it’s the best ski area out there.”
What is your favorite cuisine?
DB: “Italian cuisine. My favorite dish, everyone laughs at me for it, but if you want to make me happy, just make spaghetti with tomato sauce and parmesan. That’s enough for me; I really love it. I also adore the oriental cuisine of my Moroccan mother. All the tagines, chicken with olives—basically all traditional Moroccan dishes. I’ve eaten them since I was little, and I enjoy the sweet-salty flavor combination.”
What is your favorite perfume, apart from BDK?
DB: “It’s Musc Ravageur by Frédéric Malle, created by Maurice Roucel. I think it’s an extraordinary fragrance—magnificent.”
What is your favorite skincare product?
DB: “I have quite a few favorites. I like high-quality products that are gentle, with good textures for hydration and anti-aging. At the moment, I’m using Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge by Sisley, the regular version—not the extra-rich one. I like it, and I also enjoy its aromatic scent. It feels like I’m really taking care of myself when I use it. Another brand I recently discovered and love is 111SKIN, a niche English brand with violet packaging. Their products focus on hydration. I have rather dry skin, so I appreciate their slightly thick but still very aqueous textures. It’s great. For hair, I adore the new Hair Rituel range by Sisley. As I get older, my hair has become finer, but their fortifying serum is amazing. It truly brings back shine, and I love using it.”
Who is your favorite fashion designer?
DB: “Yves Saint Laurent, because he was a genius. His combinations of colors and materials were incredible, and he had a very sensitive approach to the world. He drew inspiration from cultures, but it wasn’t cultural appropriation—it was homage. Above all, I believe he honored women during a time when they weren’t as empowered as they are today. He played a significant role in their emancipation, and I truly admire that.”
What is your favorite watch?
DB: “A Santos de Cartier. I love it; I think it’s very beautiful. Another watch brand I adore is Audemars Piguet, especially their iconic Royal Oak model.”
Rose gold or white gold?
DB: “I mix rose gold and white gold. Yellow gold doesn’t suit me as much—I don’t have a big wrist, so it feels too bold.”
What is your preferred interior design style?
DB: “I love contemporary and minimalist designs, but not cold ones. I like warm colors such as beige and orange, and I love wood because it’s a warm material. For walls, I prefer white, which allows me to hang beautiful paintings. I adore Italian furniture designers, though I’m more familiar with furniture brands like Minotti. They create magnificent pieces. A French designer I admire is Charlotte Perriand. I love her chairs—they have a ‘70s vibe, but they’re stunning.”
Does your home reflect this style?
DB: “Absolutely. In fact, I recently moved into a new apartment about a year ago, and it perfectly embodies this style. During the day, I’m in contact with many people—my team, perfumers, clients—and I enjoy it, but when I come home, I want a very zen environment with minimal distractions to relax my mind.”
Rouge Smoking Extrait can be bought at the following points of sale: BDK Parfums www.bdkparfums.com,
La Maison du Parfum www.lamaisonduparfum.com, VERSO www.verso.com,
Beauty by Kroonen www.beautybykroonen.com, Liquides Confidentiels www.liquidconfidentiels.com,
Art of Sense www.artofsense.be and Freshlab www.freshlab.be.
Rouge Smoking Extrait is available in 100ml bottles for €260, starting November 2024, and can be found at retreat.nl and www.bdkparfums.com
