PERFUMER-POET FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS

Marissa Zappas is a perfumer and poet based in New York. Her approach to perfumery bridges her background in anthropology with a passion for scents from the early twentieth century.

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She draws particular inspiration from the perfumes of Schiaparelli, Dali, and Lucien Lelong. Marissa is renowned for her collaborations with artists and writers in New York. She worked with Liara Roux on a fragrance, WH*RE, to accompany her book, 'Whore of New York,' collaborated with astrologer Annabel Gat on 'Annabel's Birthday Cake,' and previously worked with writers Rachel Rabbit White (poet) and Gideon Jacobs (art writer).

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Her delicate and nostalgic perfumes blend the fantastical and the real, incorporating elements of gothic and modern aesthetics.

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Marissa approaches perfume creation in an unexpected way, drawing from her anthropology specialization, with her thesis focused on the history of perfume. After obtaining her master's degree, she decided to pursue her passion and delve into the art of perfumery. Marissa completed the fragrance program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) before apprenticing for 2 years under master perfumer Olivier Gillotin at Givaudan, with whom she co-created 'Queen Nzinga' from the Redamance Collection. Since 2019, Marissa has chosen to work as an independent perfumer between New York and Paris.

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For Marissa, creative dialogue is a fundamental part of the creation process. It means listening beyond words to feelings, colors, textures, and ideas. Marissa collaborates with artists who use more visual means to interpret fragrances where others might not. She is passionate about the language of flowers and symbolism, often incorporating these symbols into her creations. Creative dialogue is a true inspiration, founded on respect and creativity. This conversation often encourages her to create more freely, discovering new avenues of expression

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https://marissazappas.com/