Winners Announced in ‘Sandalwood Reimagined’ Fragrance Competition

Quintis Sandalwood, in partnership with the American Society of Perfumers (ASP), has announced the winners of its competition for perfumers who reimagined the use of ancient botanical, Indian sandalwood, within a fragrance. 

The global winner of the competition is a perfumer at Argeville, Jennifer Jambon. Fanny Ginolin, assistant perfumer at Takasago, was also announced as the winner in the emerging perfumer category.

The Sandalwood Reimagined competition encouraged the use of this precious ingredient and provided an opportunity to explore its renowned capabilities and push traditional limits while celebrating Quintis’ sustainable supply. There were 10 finalists, spanning five countries, there were selected from more than 300 entrants.

“Through our Sandalwood Reimagined competition, we have provided an opportunity for perfumers to create, celebrate, and support the return of Indian sandalwood in fragrance without limits,” said Vanessa Ligovich, chief marketing offer at Quintis Sandalwood. “Each creation submitted is a reminder of how Indian sandalwood’s multi-faceted qualities can be interpreted and appreciated by all perfumery skill levels around the world.” 

Jambon said the competition encouraged participants to use Indian sandalwood as their muse, removing parameters of a commercial fragrance brief, like consumer profile and budget.

“The Sandalwood Reimagined competition provided the unique opportunity to explore my creativity and have my fragrance experienced by some of the most respected experts in the field of perfumery,” Jambon said.

Jambon described her perfume as, “the violet leaf combined with magnolia and mimosa blossom to give a natural floral green start. Then the precious sandalwood rounds the powdery orris to give a creamy rich texture to the fragrance. Finally, balsamic benzoin, mystic olibanum and gourmand tonka bean enrich the perfume’s body and liner on the skin.”

In describing her perfume, Ginolin said, “Spicy notes of cumin, cardamom, ginger, coriander, black and pink pepper with a light fruity fig that fills out the milky and creamy facets of Indian sandalwood, linking the top notes with the base notes of dry and woody cedar and vetiver, rounding the fragrance. A crunchy nutty accord gives a mysterious dimension of discoveries. The sandalwood accord throughout gives power and helps the natural sandalwood be the heart of the fragrance.”

Jambon received AUD $10,000 and the Ginolin received AUD $2,000.