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: Laura de Coninck
Date of Birth / Place of Birth: 10/04/1978
Title: Olfactory Artist and Visual Artist
Founder of which brand: Atelier Laura de Coninck
Year founded: 2023
How do you describe yourself? Are you a nose, a perfumer, or a fragrance consultant?
LDC: “I consider myself an olfactory artist. In addition to incorporating scent into my visual art, I create perfumes, but I work differently than a traditionally trained perfumer. I don’t compose a fragrance in my head the way a perfumer might—much like a composer does. Instead, I construct a fragrance manually, just like building a painting: layer by layer, color by color, and stroke by stroke, until a surprising composition emerges. I was fortunate to receive the very best training: I earned a master’s degree in Olfactory Art under the mentorship of Peter De Cupere and received exceptional one-on-one training from Master Perfumer Sonia Constant at Givaudan Perfumes in Paris—the world’s most prestigious perfume house. Thanks to this personal guidance, I was able to blend artistic intuition with scientific expertise. Today, I am the first-ever ‘Olfactory Artist in Residence’ at Givaudan.”
How would you describe your brand in a few sentences, a quote, or keywords?
LDC: “With ‘Saudade’ at its core, Atelier Laura de Coninck represents a unique artistic approach where visual art, scent, and emotion merge to create immersive worlds. Different disciplines fuse to capture the intangible, evoke memories, and inspire lasting connections.”
What does perfume mean to you?
LDC: “Emotion. A fragrance supports your identity and becomes an extension of it—ultimately, it’s how people will remember you the longest.”
What is your favorite perfume from your collection?
LDC: “The one I wear almost daily is Nathal, from Le Parfum de Nathalie.”
What is your newest creation?
LDC: “The KMSKA perfume, created for the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. It translates the essence of the museum’s art, themes, architecture, and atmosphere into scent.”
What is the scent pyramid of your newest creation?
LDC: “I worked in layered accords, each reflecting a specific theme. At the heart, you’ll find the “Skin of Rubens” accord—white musk with hints of orange blossom, ambergris, and cumin. The heart also includes a reimagining of the sacred oil used in historical sacraments, with notes of bergamot, opopanax, cinnamon, and geranium. The rich woody base evokes the atmosphere of a painter’s studio, created with a blend of cedarwood (pencil shavings), pine, and fir—woods naturally rich in terpenes. The top notes are fresh and green, representing ‘the pleasure garden’, with thyme, cypress, and grass. Incense and clove offer a smooth bridge between the woody base and the top notes.”
How does this differ from other creations?
LDC: “This perfume had to encapsulate many different themes and stories in one scent—a wonderful challenge for an olfactory artist. Bringing so much art together in one fragrance, while still creating a wearable and elegant unisex perfume, was key.”
If this perfume were a season, what would it be and why?
LDC: “Winter—because of its warm, spicy character.”
Name a place in the world where your scent would feel right at home.
LDC: “Antwerp! The perfume is inspired by the city’s art and the museum, so it’s deeply rooted in Antwerp’s culture, artists, and even the building itself.”
Is there a story behind your perfume bottles?
LDC: “Absolutely. Every detail is intentional. The box was designed by An Eisendrath (Studio Anorak) and is inspired by an old woodcut of Rubens’ Garden of Love. By enlarging only a specific detail, it becomes abstract—echoing the museum’s modern art wing. The fragrance follows a chiaroscuro structure: the dark part reflects the old masters and weighty themes, while the light part symbolizes modernity—white walls, clean lines, and open light. In scent, this contrast appears through transparent, modern notes and white sandalwood.”
If you had to describe your personality in three scent notes, what would they be?
LDC:
- Orange blossom: My favorite flower, full of joy and nostalgia. Cheerful, soft, and affectionate.
- Iso E Super: In its pure form, it’s incredibly versatile—soft, yet far-reaching, and it blends seamlessly with anything. It acts as a harmonizer, just like I see myself: someone who brings contrast into balance.
- Cedarwood: Warm, intense, comforting, and full of depth, it enriches a fragrance.
I’d also add white musk—gentle and soothing.
What is the most challenging part of creating a perfume?
LDC: “Creating something that transcends its ingredients. The true art lies in crafting a scent that stands on its own—greater than the sum of its parts. When alchemy takes over and something entirely new and unexpected emerges, it feels almost magical.”
