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Max Forti

Max Forti is a fragrance aficionado, digital creator for almost a decade, perfume critic, fragrance connoisseur and founder of SCENTXPLORE. He will take you on a fragrance journey! He will host creative directors, perfumers, writers, bloggers and other fragrance industry folks.  In this podcast he will cover different subjects and topics in the ''Beyond the Bottle'' series in which he will talk about various relevant topics in today's world to help you find your ''forte'' in whatever interest you may have about fragrances taking your experience to the ''max'' no pun intended, of course! See you on the other side.

The MaxChat Fragrance Podcast

For this season finale we have the pleasure to chat with Bernardo Möller (House of Bō) brand founder along with his life and business partner Giancarlo Perez. The brand hails from Miami, Florida. 

House of Bo is a gender-neutral brand which has worked with world renowned Perfumers utilizing highest quality of raw, natural & sustainably sourced ingredients.

The brand’s ethos is to celebrate the ‘’rawness’’ of nature in its natural and unaltered form. The house of Bo ‘’the house of the Beautiful’’ has made some incredible strides within the fragrance industry in such a short time-span. We’ll delve into the brand in this chat. 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· Understanding the brand’s vision/ethos 

· The collections – brand overview 

· Revamping the OG collection (New Parfum concentrations) 

· Creative processes along with the perfumers

· Inspirations behind the creations! 

· Fragrances are bottled emotions. 

Discover House of Bo here:
 https://houseofbo.co/
 
Say Hello House of Bo on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/houseofbo.co/
 
Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
https://scentxplore.com/
 
Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
This is our Season Finale! It has been a great season - Thank you for your support!

Season 4 - Episode 10: Natural Beauty Captured in a bottle – The House of BŌ

Today we receive a great guest Serhat Okyay to discuss a very interesting brand. Unique’e Luxury Perfumes. A brand that pride themselves on utilizing only the finest ingredients available to create refined, luxurious and captivating niche fragrances...
 
Unique’e Luxury hails from Turkey, the brand was founded by Muhammet Serhat Okyay and Selim Özen. Their first collection of fragrances was releases in 2018 and created in collabration with perfumers:
 Jorge Lee, Sylvain Cara, Selim Özen, Hüseyin Erdoğmuş, Bihter Türkan Ergül and Gökhan Şimşek to name a few... 

Let’s delve into this brand together in this enticing fragrant conversation. 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· The Unique’e Luxury Way! 

· The evolution of the brand... 

· What makes niche, niche?

· Exclusivity, Quality and Limited Quantity.

· Upcoming New releases!

· Looking into the future of Niche Perfumery... 

· Connecting with niche perfume lovers and connoisseurs. 

 Discover Unique’e Luxury Perfumes here:
 https://uniqueeluxury.com/
 
Say Hello to Unique’e on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/uniquee_luxury/
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 

Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
Stay tuned for more exciting chats coming your way…

Season 4 - Episode 9: The art of creating unique and luxurious scents – Unique’e Luxury Perfumes

Today we have to pleasure to chat with Jordi Magrans founder, perfumer and creative director of this family-owned brand that hails from Spain and started with his great-grandfather (an herbalist) back in 1948. 

Almah Parfums 1948 is a Barcelona-based brand founded in 1997. The main business of the brand is the production of natural essential oils and compounds with its factories in Barcelona, Spain and India. The brand's first personal fragrance collection was announced during Pitti Fragranze in 2019.

Join me as I take a deep-dive in this riveting conversation to learn more about their heritage, offerings and creative processes. 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· The heritage of the brand. 

· Sustainability of ingredients. 

· Understanding their portfolio. 

· The importance of the ‘’juice’’.

· Colors, sensations, emotions that are evoked by scents.

· The ‘’gamble’’ and ‘’blind buying’’ culture... 

· How to stay relevant and unique in today’s niche market.

· Expanding to the States... 

· The extrait the parfums collection 
 · Almah home collection (room scents, etc.)
 · Upcoming New releases!
 

 Discover Almah 1948 here:
 https://almah.com/ 

Say Hello to Almah on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/almah_parfums/
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
 Stay tuned for more inspirational and exciting chats coming your way…

Season 4 - Episode 8: The Family-owned Niche Brand that values heritage – Almah 1948

Today we have to pleasure to chat with Carlos Huber Arquiste Parfumeur’s brand founder. Carlos was drawn to Mexico's architecture and history, and is an avid passionate traveler since young, Carlos Huber first pursued the study of architecture and historic preservation at prestigious universities in his hometown of Mexico City, in Paris and New York, where he graduated with honors in Historic Preservation at Columbia University. His diverse experience includes meticulous residential and commercial projects as well as art installations concerned with the interpretation of historic sites.

Turning to his longtime love of perfume, Huber was mentored by master perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, studying perfume history, evaluation and fragrance development. Bridging the worlds of architectural and perfume history through the lens of restoration led him to collaborate with Rodrigo Flores-Roux and perfumer Yann Vasnier to create ARQUISTE®, developing scents that restore authentic historical experiences and cultures that are translated into inspiring and transportive fragrances. 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:

· Influences of various cultures and places on the brand. 

· How the brand got started! 

· Comradery and affinity with perfumers.

· Rodrigo Flores-Roux’s pivotal impact on the brand’s birth. 

· What’s next?! Up and coming release(s). 

· The creative process. 

· Delving into the portfolio... 

· The NEW refined candle collection. 

· The transitional state of the niche perfume industry!

· How has the market change over the years...

· Other passions and hobbies... 

· Creating something special that brings people together!

 

 Discover Arquiste Parfumeur here:
 https://arquiste.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87eZkfungAMV7URHAR1iVAUuEAAYASAAEgLayfD_BwE
 
Say Hello to Carlos on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/arquistecarlos/
 
Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com 

Stay tuned for more inspirational and exciting chats coming your way…

Season 4 - Episode 7: The Transportive Perfume Niche Brand – Arquiste Parfumeur (Carlos Huber)

In this episode let’s discover Blocki Perfumes - A niche brand that hails back to the 1800’s and was reinvented as a brand in 2014 which honors historic compositions with a contemporary flare! In today’s episode we’re chatting with brand founders, Tammy and Tyler Kraemer and joined by their marketing director LC James. 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· America’s very first niche brand? Where did it all begin... 

· John Blocki, from Chicago 1865 to the world! 

· Founding the manufacturing of perfumery in the USA 

· Rekindling the past with modern components.

· Delving into the Blocki’s Fragrance Portfolio. 

· 2014 the rebirth of the legacy... 

· New Release(s) and what’s to come.

· Creative process until achieving the final fragrance! 

· The full circle of vintage resurgence... 

 · The passion that connects us to the circle of people we’re meant for.
 
 

 Discover Blocki Perfumes here:
 https://www.blocki.com/collections/fragrances
 *Discovery sets will grant you the full-value towards a full bottle!

Say Hello to Blocki Perfumes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blockiperfumes/
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
 Stay tuned for more inspirational chats coming your way!

Season 4 - Episode 6: America’s First Niche Brand? – Blocki Perfumes Circa 1865

In this episode we get a little ‘’personal’’ with Michella Curly aka curlyfragrance on YouTube. She has made an impact during the pandemic and never looked back. Today her fragrance channel is one of the most viewed which has a very fun and ‘’fresh’’ approach. Let's delve into her journey and find out what's next for her on this chat... 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· Where did her journey begin... 

· Making and impact and changing the game of fragrance reviewing. 

· Fitness first, Fragrances last! 

· Fragrances from the past – stealing sprays! 

· Favorite current fragrances... 

· Discussing other passions. 

· Fragrance Review Evolution on YouTube... (who came before and what’s to come)

· The challenges of becoming a YouTuber! 

· What will the future bring? (Fragrance reviewing) 
 · BREAKING NEWS! Releasing her own fragrance line?!? 
 · Her favorite fragrances of all time!
 · Most hyped brands and fragrances... 

· Advise for those that would like to start a fragrance channel...
 

 Discover CurlyFragrances here:
 https://www.youtube.com/@CurlyFragrance

Say Hello to Michella on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/curlyfragrance/ 
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
 Stay tuned for more chats coming your way… We’ve reached the half-way point!

Season 4 - Episode 5: She has changed the game on fragrance reviewing on YouTube, meet– Michella (curlyfragrance)

She is a world-traveler and a multi-cultural and multi-talented artist. Meet Eva Petrič, born in Slovenia, she lives and works between 3 cities: New York City, Vienna, and Ljubljana, creating interesting works in photography, video, performance, poetry, installation, writing and perfume blending...

In today’s episode we’re going to delve in her works and most specifically in her 
DBE Fragrance creations – ‘’Databank of Emotions’’ fragrance line. 
 

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· Early beginnings (from ballet in India to multi-artist) trans-medial artist 

· The power of Fragrances

· Absorbing the many cultures by living in various countries 

· Development of fragrance palette and the art of layering 

· The birth of DBE – ‘’Databank of Emotions’’ Fragrance Brand 

· The Magic of perfume blending and the effect they have on us! 

· The Transcendental art and aspect of perfume in our culture... 

· How fragrance is innately connected with memories and emotions!

· The struggles, challenges and process to create as a small and self-funded brand 

 · Upcoming projects and new releases (NEW LINE)! 

 · Favorite compounds, notes and ingredients to work with... 

 · The future of fragrances and fragrance creation! 

 Discover DBE Fragrances here:
 https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/c/designers-a-z-dbe-by-eva-petric-cat704417

 Say Hello to Eva on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/eva_petric_angel_hound/
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
More chats are coming your way… Stay Tuned!

Season 4 - Episode 4: She's an Artist of many different skills! – Eva Petrič (DBE - Databank of Emotions Perfumes)

In this episode a topic that is generally ignored but should most definitely be taken seriously. I had the pleasure to meet Roques in Oman and discover his incredible role and work in sourcing of ingredients in a very diligent and sustainable manner for the past thirty-plus years. 
Dominique Roques has been sourcing essences and extracts for the perfume industry for over thirty years. He was the head of sourcing at Firmenich, a leading developer of perfumes for the world's top fragrance luxury brands. He lives in Paris, France.
 
 Dominique has written incredible books on this subject, including the latest: 
 In Search of Perfumes: A Lifetime Journey to the Source of Nature's Scents 
 Which I highly recommend for those that want to learn the ins/outs of the fragrance sourcing industry - In this intoxicating concoction of history, travelogue, and memoir, one of the perfume industry’s leading scouts of natural ingredients tells the story of the precious ingredients needed to make the fragrances we cherish and love...

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· In search of fine raw ingredients for fragrance making

· How has the industry changed over the years

· How he became a raw-material provider/purchaser 

· Discovering countries and their marvelous materials 

· The magic of perfume materials: Benzoin/Oud 

· Favorite perfume notes and upcoming perfume trends 

· Favorite Fragrances to wear

· Most expensive PURE raw materials 

· Where are the materials ‘’really’’ coming from? 

 · The proverbial argument - Natural vs Synthetics 

 · Upcoming ‘’new compounds’’ and new created/developed notes 

· The never-ending competition of the juggernaut leading companies 

· Aware/educated consumers pushes the industry for quality 

· Banned products (what’s the ‘’REAL’’ reason?) 

· Untapped materials – have we discovered and exhausted all palettes? 

 Discover Dominique Roques works and learn about raw ingredients:
 https://www.amazon.com/Search-Perfumes-Lifetime-Journey-Natures/dp/0063297957/ref=asc_df_0063297957/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=642050477967&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8641094386709735549&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003430&hvtargid=pla-1933214095651&psc=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-IWkBhBTEiwA2exyO746R4Oov-7lEXuGeC7wNHziS6dE0Du2heaBFXiTqxaWUP0TIdYKNRoCia8QAvD_BwE
 
 Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – Register Here:
 https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas here:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
 Stay tuned for more chats coming your way…

Season 4 - Episode 3: Perfume Raw Materials/Sourcing with – Dominique Roques

In this second episode of our fourth season, I had the pleasure to have an outstanding conversation with Blackcliff’s Parfums brand founder Tomlinson Bynoe and Perfumer Kyle Mott-Kannenberg.
 Blackcliff is a Barbadian brand that offers exotic and bold fragrances that are both inspirational and powerful, outlining the breathtaking landscapes and elements of the Caribbean island... 
 
I am also happy to report that Blackcliff Parfums will be gracing us with their incredible creations at ScentXplore 2023 – 5th Edition, featuring an exclusive release!

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT:
· Ethos of Blackcliff Parfums

· Barbadian roots 

· Perfect Synergy between Perfumer and Creative Director 

· The Current Collection (Brand's Portfolio)

· Last five releases (Introduced at ScentXplore 2022)

· Upcoming NEW Releases and beyond... 

· Exclusive ScentXplore Blackcliff Parfums Release (the scoop)

· Curiosities about the brand and its creative processes 

 Discover Blackcliff Fragrances:
 https://blackcliff.com/
 
Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention – In-Person or Virtual – Register Here:
https://scentxplore.com/
 
 Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas to Max Forti at:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com
 
 Stay tuned for more chats coming your way… We’re just getting warmed-up!

Season 4 - Episode 2: Outstanding Conversation with (Founder and Perfumer) of Exotic Brand – BLACKCLIFF PARFUMS

Welcome to the Max Chat Season 4:
In this fourth season opener episode, I had the pleasure to chat with multi-talented perfumer and chemist Aaron Terence Hughes. He has disrupted the market with his long-lasting, intriguing and powerful fragrances some with their polarizing names such as: Slut, Boss Bastard, Boss Bitch... 
However, the fragrances are much more than just a thought-provoking name – there’s so much more to these compositions than meets the eyes (or nose)... 
 
 I am also happy to report that Aaron have won the ScentXplore People’s Choice Award in the category: Rising Star Perfumer 2022
https://scentxplore.com/awards/

TOPICS OF THIS CHAT: 
· How his passion got started... From UK to the world!

· Favorite notes and compounds 

· What fragrances inspired Aaron at an early age... 

· The Collection 

· What’s to come - Other elements rather than just fragrances! 

· Upcoming NEW Releases... 

· A New Direction! 

· Surprise Announcements... RAW!

· Be kind to the art and respect people’s individualities... 

Discover Aaron Terence Hughes Fragrances: 
https://aaronterencehughes.co.uk/

Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention: 
https://scentxplore.com/
 
Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas to Max Forti at:
 maxforti@gmail.com OR info@maxforti.com

Stay tuned for more chats coming your way… We’re just getting started!

Season 4 - Episode 1: The Very Talented (Perfumer/Chemist) – Aaron Terence Hughes

In today's episode I'm joined by Alessandro Brun, professor, musician and most importantly the creative mind of one of the most innovative and quality niche brands of modern day perfumery, Masque Milano.
Alessandro Brun will share his thoughts on the state of today's niche perfumery industry, luxury brands, upcoming releases and he'll go over the four acts of his proud collection of Masque Milano fragrances. Enjoy!

Season 1- Episode 08: Reinventing Niche with Masque Milano - Alessandro Brun Interview

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