Ludovic Bonneton, the Founder of Bon Parfumeur: My Perfumery Is My Photo Album

Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Simplistic and tasteful bottles, numerical names infused with a special meaning, and a beautiful approach to specific materials are what capture attention when discovering Bon Perfumeur. Ludovic Bonneton, the founder of this brand, reflects on his fragrance concepts and shares his story in an interview with PlezuroMag.

Ludovic Bonneton / Photo: Darius Damulis

"Like all enthusiasts, I was afraid to turn it into a profession," he recalls, reminiscing about the beginnings of Bon Parfumeur. When discussing fragrances, one cannot deny his profound passion for his craft, indicating that scents are much more than just a job.

Established in 2017, Bon Parfumeur has already garnered a devoted following in Europe and has expanded into the Asian market, in China. The brand's authenticity, creativity, and craftsmanship resonate universally.

Every story of people who work in the fragrance industry is different. Can you tell us when and how you got into perfumes?

As far as I can remember, my nose has always been curious; scents were my Clue game! Every smell that caught my attention inevitably prompted the question "what is it?" to the first person who came my way, whether I knew them or not! How many passersby have I stopped in the street or in parks?! It's funny because often they didn't have the answer; you either like smells or you don't, you're not interested in them.

Can you reflect on the story of Bon Parfumeur? How did you come up with the idea of creating this fragrance brand?

Some of my perfumes existed long before Bon Parfumeur. Over the years, through travels, encounters, emotions, I collected beautiful ingredients that became the snapshots of my life; my perfumery is my photo album. Like all enthusiasts, I was afraid to turn it into a profession. It was my friends and family who pushed me to take the leap.

Ludovic Bonneton / Photo: Darius Damulis

Could you tell us more about the names of the fragrances? It is not usual to call perfumes by numbers. What is the idea behind it?

The numbers are a nod to the markings on bottles in the perfumer's workshop. I like to have a trace of the craftsmanship from which my perfumery stems.

Is there a fragrance in the Bon Parfumeur collection that you keep especially close to your heart, and why?

Each fragrance holds a special place because each fragrance is the mirror of a special moment. The Cologne Intemporelle or the very first perfume I created, the 105, is a dark rose that was inspired by Hoxton Square; the 602 is reminiscent of walks in Auvergne.

Can you tell our readers and tease them a little about your upcoming releases? What are you currently working on?

A gourmand woody fragrance that we previewed at Esxence will be born into the collection this year. The response was unanimous, although it's a very assertive fragrance; I think its elegance and the emotion it evoked can be attributed to that.

How do you find inspiration for creating new fragrances?

Fragrances often come into being without my conscious effort! It's as if there's a space in my heart dedicated to fragrance development, where every emotion is converted. I decide later whether to materialize it or not; some fragrances belong solely to the heart.

Ludovic Bonneton and Kristina Kybartaite-Damule / Photo: Darius Damulis

You are working not only in Europe but also in China. Was it difficult to enter the Asian market? What obstacles did you encounter?

It was in Auvergne, on the lands of 602, that Bon Parfumeur and Asia met! From its launch, this spicy woody scent has won the hearts of a clientele we're eager to meet within the walls of our upcoming stores.

In your opinion, what makes a good fragrance?

A good fragrance stems from a beautiful ingredient around which a strong olfactory contrast plays out. The liquorous rose softened by vanilla in the 106. Cardamom tea served on a cloud of mimosa in the 102.

What would you like to achieve with Bon Parfumeur in the upcoming few years?

There are perfumers I'd like to collaborate with again, others I'm excited to work with for the first time. There are ingredients I'd like to explore in a different light, others I'm eager to discover. There are new moments and emotions I'd like to share.

Thank you for your time!