In our ‘Behind the Scent’ series, we step into the fascinating world of one of Belgium’s few true perfume visionaries… exploring the stories, inspirations, and passions that shaped their craft.
Name: Kristof Lefebre
Age / Place of Birth: 44 / Kortrijk
Role: Founder / Perfumer
Founder of which brand: Miglot Parfums
Year founded: 2020
How do you describe yourself? Are you a nose, a perfumer, or a fragrance consultant?
KL: As a perfumer, I’m constantly searching for the perfect balance between art and science. Creating perfume is a form of art where craftsmanship, science, and psychology converge. My training at the prestigious ISIPCA perfumery school, combined with my background as a pharmacist, gave me a scientific foundation that allows me to formulate in various ways while also unleashing my creativity. I live with the sense of wonder as if every day were my first, and I live fully as if each day were my last. Curiosity is my greatest drive, and imagination is my escape from routine. Empathy and humanity push me to become better every day. I am a perfumer, and I see myself as a creator of liquid emotions.
How would you describe your brand in a few sentences, a quote, or keywords?
KL: Humanizing perfumes since 2020.
Miglot Parfums stands for gentle, minimalist perfumes that are free from gender constraints. We don’t use marketing names that guide, mislead, or seduce. Instead, we work with formula numbers that act as blank canvases. Humanizing perfumes is my mission—silent luxury that doesn’t need to shout. At Miglot, it’s all about bringing humanity back into perfume. We place our guests at the center and guide them through one of their most personal choices. Our maisons are warm and minimalist, ensuring full focus on the fragrance experience—without distractions or manipulation. This minimalism is echoed in our bottles: the scent always takes the lead, not the marketing. Finding the right fragrance requires empathy. We are also a perfume house that hand-produces all our fragrances in small batches.
What does perfume mean to you?
KL: It’s an invisible personal coach. A mood booster that can enhance your confidence, ease loss, or underline your personality. Fragrance is the invisible key to our truest feelings and who we are. Everything you smell is instantly transmitted to your limbic brain—the part of your brain responsible for emotions and memories. That makes perfume deeply personal and capable of evoking different emotions or memories for each of us.
What is your favorite perfume from your collection?
KL: My personal favorite is Miglot Eau de Parfum Formula 32. It plays with tension between joyful fruity notes that sparkle with pleasure and life, and the casual chic of suede, leather, and woody undertones. It mirrors my personality and remains my top choice.
What is your latest creation?
KL: My newest creation is Miglot Eau de Parfum Formula 11.
What is the scent pyramid of your newest creation?
KL:
- Top: Lavender, Pepper, Cardamom
- Heart: Iris, Rose
- Base: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Ambergris, Tonka Bean
How does it differ from other creations?
KL: This fragrance stands out for its strength in simplicity. It’s gentle, yet carries quiet power.
If this newest fragrance were a season, what would it be and why?
KL: It would be spring—a scent that pairs beautifully with ideal sweater weather, when the sun hasn’t quite overpowered the lingering chill.
Name a place in the world where your fragrance would feel perfectly at home.
KL: Japan, Osaka. It’s a place where past, present, and future intersect—perfectly matching the timeless, subtle nature of my scent.
Is there a story behind your perfume bottles?
KL: At Miglot Parfums, it’s all about giving freedom to our guests. The warm, minimalist interior and bottle design are meant to highlight the craftsmanship and scent itself. Every bottle has the same design, with only a formula number to distinguish it—so your choice is based purely on what you enjoy, without being influenced by names or colors.
If you had to describe your personality in three scent notes, what would they be?
KL:
- Yuzu: for quiet enthusiasm and joy of life
- Sandalwood: for empathy and softness
- Geranium: for energy and restlessness
What is the most challenging aspect of creating a perfume?
KL: Sustainability is one of today’s biggest challenges. Chasing certification labels can sometimes lead to choices that are, paradoxically, not sustainable at all. That’s why I choose not to focus solely on being 100% natural or organic—these terms can be misleading. Our demand for natural ingredients is not always environmentally friendly. Terms like “naturally derived” can be vague and lack full context. It’s essential to remain critical and open to new insights every day in the pursuit of better, more sustainable choices. Also, increasingly strict regulations continue to narrow our palette of available fragrance ingredients.
Anything else you’d like to add?
KL: Sometimes the perfume industry forgets one key ingredient: humanity. As a perfumer—and in my previous life as a pharmacist—I see it as my mission to reintroduce humanness into perfume. The luxury of being seen, heard, and understood in a fragrance house is what energizes me every single day.
