Interview with Koray Sevinç, Perfumer at MG International Fragrance Company

A Success Story in Career Advancement at MG International Fragrance Company In this enjoyable interview, we introduce you to a success story exemplifying career growth, with our guest being Perfumer Koray Sevinç. Koray shared with us how his childhood interest in fragrance transformed into a perfumery adventure.

''A Perfumery Journey Driven by Passion for Fragrance'' Koray Sevinç

When did you discover your interest in perfume? I had been curious about fragrance since childhood. I could say I had the motivation to smell everything imaginable. My grandfather's garden, filled with fruit trees, flowers and various vegetables, gave me the most unforgettable olfactory memories on my sensory journey. I remember my father trying to keep me away from cosmetic counters because I would open everything and smell it. I was always curious about perfume, but I truly understood my style during my university years. Experiencing masterpieces created by industry touchstones like Frédéric Malle, Serge Lutens, Annick Goutal, and Guerlain further increased my interest in perfumes. How did your perfumer training develop? Before joining MG International, I had a few workshop experiences; I also had a small box containing synthetic raw materials. I would smell them occasionally. I can say I received formal training at MG International. I went to the laboratory almost every day, smelled raw materials and designed my own accords. After a year as a Laboratory Assistant, I worked for four years as a Marketing Analysis Manager, and finally began my dream perfumer training with my mentor. The training progresses gradually. First, I work on an accord, which could be bergamot, lily of the valley or rose. After capturing the form closest to the natural version, I take the accord I designed and look at a perfume that has entered the classics and shaped the industry, then use it while designing from the very beginning. Most recently I worked on lily of the valley.

''Standing Out with Talent, Fulfilling His Dreams After Five Years, On the Path to Becoming One of the World's Select Perfumers.''

When did your paths cross with MG International? When fragrance is mentioned, MG International Fragrance Company comes to mind first. A leading company in its field, both in Turkey and worldwide. From the moment I wanted to become a perfumer, working within MG International was one of my greatest dreams. My journey with the company truly began exactly five years ago at a trade fair in Istanbul. I remember being very excited when I told them I wanted to work with them. Which essences have stood out recently in your view? Trends change from period to period, and I believe these changes stem from perfumes that left their mark on that time and sold well. Of course, I cannot speak of a market dominated by a single note. For example, there was a period when oud, amber and rose notes attracted great interest. Heliotrope is a note that attracts considerable attention and is well-liked. We frequently witness the interpretation of fruit notes with heliotrope. Iris note, I can say, has come to the forefront as never before. The reason is that iris is neither as feminine as other flowers nor very intimate and ostentatious. It is quite cool and distant. Because it is very expensive, it has an unattainable allure. Modern chypre accords I interpret as nostalgia for the past. For this reason, I would do injustice not to mention patchouli, a note whose trend will never end.

''International essence producer MG International Fragrance Company houses a perfumer team that is extremely rare worldwide, while taking important steps to develop perfumers within the company. The success story of Koray Sevinç, who wishes to continue his career as a perfumer, is one of the finest examples of this.''

Did fragrance habits change in your view during the pandemic period? I do not think the pandemic created a radical change in fragrance habits. I can say that needs created by existing concerns and those that emerged afterward began to appear much more frequently with the pandemic process. We began discussing allergen-free content, naturalness, and sustainability much more. Along with this, I can say that concepts such as discrimination, feminism, and fluid gender have inspired the perfume sector. In short, while previously there were perfumes that managed to stand out with their fragrance, nowadays we see much more perfumes that catch the eye with their concept and advocate an idea. What changes have you made in brands' essence usage? Have new requests come in? Requests are growing in proportion to increasing interest. I can say the number of those viewing perfumery as an investment tool is quite substantial. Currently, during the pandemic period, there is an effort to preserve existing demand rather than meet new ones. I think we will see more projects adapting to the new normal we will face after the pandemic. What will the fragrance of the future be like in your view? With a futuristic perspective according to changing consumption habits, how will the future smell in your opinion? Where are young people's preferences and habits heading? I believe young people determine trends from cosmetics to fashion and technology, and young people's attention spans are now quite short. Furthermore, almost none of them believe in signature perfumes. The inclination toward fast consumption and social media's impact on consumption habits is obvious. For this reason, we must understand them and somehow respond to their demands. Of course, this obligation to respond quickly to demand is also reflected in the product you design. Instead of designing an essence with the potential to become a classic, you end up designing a temporary product that will meet an immediate need. If the fragrance of the future had a color, it would seem to be somewhere between grey and green tones to me. The grey tones of the anxiety and melancholy created by the pandemic, in harmony and balance with the green tones of hope and a return to nature. Somewhat metallic and smoky, yet also green and woody.