Between Myth and Modernity: How Manos Gerakinis Reimagines Greek Perfumery
Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule
In the fast-moving perfume industry, Manos Gerakinis takes a different path. His fragrances awaken timeless mythology and aim to remind the world that scent has always been an essential part of Greek history. In an interview for PlezuroMag, we talk about the meaning of slow perfumery and how a small Greece-based perfume house manages to create true luxury.
Manos Gerakinis / Images provided by the brand
In the world of perfume, it’s common to hear about fragrances made in France or Italy, while Greece is not the first place that comes to mind when talking about perfumery. Despite that, niche perfume houses there are slowly emerging — and Manos Gerakinis was one of the pioneers. In 2014, he founded his eponymous perfume house and introduced his first fragrance to the world.
Since then, the brand has built a reputation for combining philosophical depth with olfactory artistry. Each fragrance from Manos Gerakinis Parfums carries a distinct narrative inspired by Greek mythology or history, translating timeless concepts into modern expressions of beauty. The creations invite the wearer to slow down and rediscover the power of scent.
At a time when new perfumes appear every week, Manos advocates for what he calls slow perfumery — an approach that values time, authenticity, and emotional connection over trend-driven production. His work stands as a quiet yet confident reminder that true luxury lies not in excess, but in intention. In this conversation for PlezuroMag, he opens up about his creative process, the roots of Greek perfumery, and how an independent house can embody world-class artistry.
What first drew you into the world of perfumery, and how did your creative journey begin?
It was a passion first, deepened by my time in luxury retail in London. The creative journey truly began when I returned to Greece and created a personal fragrance for myself in 2013. Its unexpected and overwhelmingly positive reaction from friends and strangers showed me I had a talent, and that perfume, later named Sillage Royal, became the foundation for the house, launched in 2014.
What was the first perfume you ever fell in love with?
The first perfume that made a lasting impression on me was Samsara from Guerlain, which was my mother's signature fragrance. It wasn't just a scent; it was an atmosphere of warmth and opulence.
The classic structure of Samsara, featuring potent notes like sandalwood, jasmine, and vanilla, profoundly influenced my perception of quality and longevity. This dedication to richness and deep sensuality is the common signature across all my creations at Manos Gerakinis Parfums. I aim for that same luxurious, enveloping feel, where the scent is powerful and personal, echoing that early love for depth and warmth.
Greece has a long history with perfume, dating back to antiquity – from Kyphi and olive oil infusions to the myth of Aphrodite’s scented gardens. How do you see your work connecting to that heritage?
My work is directly re-establishing that connection. Ancient Greece was where the concept of perfumery began, used in ritual, medicine, and philosophy. By rooting our collections in Greek mythology and focusing on a quality that transcends trend, we are leading a new era for Greek perfumery and connecting back to our heritage.
What role does Greek mythology or philosophy play in your creative process?
Mythology and philosophy are my core inspirations. They provide the deep, timeless stories that give a fragrance its soul. Our newest release, Amandus, is rooted in a compelling myth of love and transformation, while Omen draws on the mystique of Delphi. It ensures our creations are not just scents, but rich narratives.
Are there specific ingredients or aromatic materials you associate deeply with Greece?
Greece possesses an incredibly rich natural tapestry that is a constant source of inspiration. Key ingredients are celebrated throughout the Manos Gerakinis Parfums collections, acting as fragrant anchors to the land. I love the resinous, amber warmth of labdanum from Crete, and the distinctive, spiced-honey scent of the Immortelle flower, which is the heart of its namesake fragrance. Beyond these, we feature the symbolic importance of fig, one of the most vital ancient Greek crops, captured in Meθexis, alongside other evocative elements of the Greek landscape like honey, aromatic bay leaves, comforting almonds, and the bright zest of petit grain and orange blossom. These materials, when woven into our scents, allow the wearer to experience the depth and ancient complexity of Greek nature.
In an interview for Elevated Classics you’ve mentioned there’s “no perfume culture anymore” in Greece. How do you see your role in reviving or redefining that culture today?
While Greece has major industry players in the cosmetics industry, the niche perfume culture -the art of high-end, artistic olfaction- was lacking. Historically, scent was an intrinsic part of ritual and philosophy, but that cultural dialogue diminished. My effort has been to reverse this by reminding people of our connection to Ancient Greece, where perfumery originated. I use our incredible native ingredients to narrate profound stories, weaving history into every bottle.
At the beginning, setting a new standard for a luxury niche product was challenging. I established rigorous standards for compounding and artistic execution, which has been validated by three times becoming an Awards finalist for prestigious organizations globally. This recognition proves that a Greek house can deliver world-class luxury, ensuring that people at home start to see and understand the true value of high-quality, authentic Greek artistry. We are redefining the culture through excellence.
You’ve worked with talented perfumers – how do you choose your collaborators? What qualities do you look for in a perfumer when you’re translating your vision into scent?
I choose the perfumers who match my energy and passion, people who are highly skilled in their craft and with whom I can truly resonate. Before any partnership, I take time to understand their philosophy and way of thinking. The selection process is highly intentional, as the perfumer must be able to not only technically execute the vision but emotionally connect with the narrative.
I look for the unique ability to translate my artistic concept- be it the depth and sweetness I envisioned for Amandus with Sofia Bardelli, my perception of Athens itself for Selene with my fellow Greek perfumer, Christina Koutsoudaki, or the specific Mediterranean fig-tree atmosphere of Meθexis with Chris Maurice. These examples show that the right perfumer is the one whose unique expertise and personal connection can perfectly serve the soul of that particular fragrance.
Do you believe “niche” has lost its meaning, or can it still represent integrity and individuality?
The term is often diluted today by market oversaturation and houses being absorbed by large conglomerates. However, "niche" can absolutely still represent integrity. For me, integrity is maintained through our commitment to "slow perfumery," artistic freedom, and focusing purely on the quality and authenticity of the scent itself, rather than chasing fleeting trends.
In today's market, where tens of new perfumes are released daily, you manage to keep the slower pace. What does “slow perfumery” mean to you on a practical and philosophical level?
Philosophically, time is the ultimate luxury. "Slow perfumery" means rejecting the pressure of fast fashion. Practically, it means taking the time needed -sometimes months, sometimes a few years, like with Amandus- for the idea to crystallize, the raw materials to be sourced, and the composition to be perfected. I only release a fragrance when I am completely satisfied.
Why did you choose to focus on small-batch production instead of scaling quickly?
The brand was built without external investors, so growth has always been intentional and organic. Focusing on small-batch production ensures we maintain absolute quality control and our unique house character. It allows for the human touch as we love the beautiful imperfections, which is lost in quick, scaled-up, machine-driven production.
What are the biggest challenges of producing perfume in limited quantities?
The primary challenge is the cost of quality. When we use expensive, high-quality raw materials and produce in small, artisanal batches, the unit cost is naturally much higher than for mass-market multinationals. Furthermore, as a Greek niche brand, we had to overcome initial local resistance and establish our own supply chain standards where there was no infrastructure.
What legacy would you like Manos Gerakinis Parfums to leave for Greek and global perfumery alike?
For Greece, the legacy is to have put the country back on the map of high perfumery, proving that authentic, world-class luxury can be born here. Globally, I hope our brand leaves a legacy of integrity and authenticity; that a small, independent house focused on slow, unapologetic quality can compete with the world's best, purely through the strength of its art.
Tell our readers about your newest perfume – Amandus. How did you come up with the idea? Why almonds?
Amandus, which means "worthy of love"in Latin, is a fragrance that took over two years to perfect with perfumer Sofia Bardelli. The idea came from a beautiful, yet bittersweet, Greek myth about a woman who was transformed by Gods into an almond tree while waiting for her lover to return from battle. I wanted to capture the sweet, sensual, and slightly mysterious aroma of almond and combine it with this profound story of devotion, giving the scent a deeply romantic soul.
What is coming next from Manos Gerakinis Parfums?
The future is dedicated to artistic evolution and upholding our standards of excellence. New creations will continue to be deeply narrative, drawing on Greek mythology and art, and will always carry the signature depth, complexity, and longevity that Manos Gerakinis Parfums is known for.
We are not driven by market speed, but by uncompromising quality. My focus is always on creating timeless works of integrity and enduring art. To explore our current collections and be the first to know what masterpiece we unveil next, I invite your readers to visit our website.