The HARMONIST

QCEG    Carole, thank you for joining us to share your captivating journey in the world of perfumery.

CAROLE AYMÉ    Of course! Before I joined The Harmonist, I spent seventeen years at Guerlain under the LVMH group, where I truly honed my craft. Perfumery has become part of my DNA, and when I joined The Harmonist in 2016, I took on the role of Boutique Director at our very first location in Paris. Over the years, I transitioned into my current position as the International Training Director and Brand Ambassador. This role allows me to share my expertise, training every person who represents our brand and its essence.

QCEG    What inspired you to make the switch from Guerlain to The Harmonist?

CAROLE AYMÉ    Guerlain was an incredible chapter, but discovering The Harmonist and its mission has been nothing short of inspiring. I was captivated by its philosophy—bringing harmony and well-being through the profound power of scent. The Harmonist isn’t just a brand; it’s a unique, niche concept focused on aligning fragrance with energy and balance. It also became an opportunity for personal growth. After years of working exclusively in the French market, I took on the challenge of improving my English. Relearning a new language at 42 was daunting, but this journey with the brand made it possible.

QCEG    The Harmonist’s approach to fragrance sounds quite unique. Can you tell us more about it?

CAROLE AYMÉ    I absolutely love The Harmonist’s concept. Each fragrance we create is pure ‘Parfum’, not an ‘Eau de Parfum’ or ‘Eau de Toilette’, they’re concentrated perfumes with high oil content, crafted to last. Our brilliant perfumer, Guillaume Flavigny from Givaudan, has crafted scents for renowned houses like Tom Ford, Armani Privé, and Comme des Garçons. His artistry is truly evident in each fragrance he creates for us.

QCEG    And what role does the founder, Lola Tillyaeva, play in shaping this philosophy?

CAROLE AYMÉ    Lola is remarkable. She blends compassion with an intellectual approach to well-being. She has a Ph.D. in psychology, authored a self-care guide called Be Your Own Harmonist, and is a dedicated philanthropist. Her vision was to merge the rich tradition of French perfumery with ancient Feng Shui philosophies, creating something truly special—The Harmonist, a fusion of harmony and alchemy. Each fragrance reflects her vision, evoking energies linked to elements like Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, as well as the dualities of Yin and Yang.

QCEG    How do these elements and energies influence the fragrances?

CAROLE AYMÉ    Wearing a Harmonist fragrance is about more than just scent; it’s about energy. Each of our 13 fragrances brings a unique essence that resonates with specific energies. Yin fragrances are subtle and delicate, while Yang fragrances are vibrant and bold. This interplay of energies allows wearers to connect with themselves and the world around them in a new way—through the alchemy of fragrance.

QCEG    I see the bottles are black and white. What’s the story behind these coloUrs?

CAROLE AYMÉ   Our white bottles hold the Yang collection—these are vibrant, extroverted with spicy and woody scents. (gesturing to the black bottles) The black bottles represent Yin collection—more subtle, intimate scents. Although softer and powdery, all of our fragrances are crafted to be unisex.

QCEG    I see the bottles are black and white. What’s the story behind these coloUrs?

CAROLE AYMÉ   Absolutely. It’s quite remarkable—there’s a perfect 50/50 split. The scent has this irresistible allure, combining spiced berries, cloves, and a whisper of oud that speaks to everyone .Fragrance transcends gender boundaries—florals, for example, can be truly captivating on men too. One of our bestsellers, “Hypnotizing Fire,” blends amber, vanilla, rose and oud, appealing equally to both men and women.

This one here is “Yin Transformation.” It was originally a limited edition but quickly became a bestseller. It opens with aquatic florals and evolves into sandalwood and benzoin, moving from a soft Yin energy to a warm, creamy finish.

QCEG    Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind the Prequel Collection?

CAROLE AYMÉ   Of course! At the origin of the elements, we have two powerful celestial forces: the sun and the moon. This collection, which we call'Prequel,' represents the beginnings of these elemental energies, the essence that precedes everything else.

QCEG    Fascinating. And what are some of the standout fragrances in this collection?

CAROLE AYMÉ    We have “Sun Force,” which embodies vibrant Yang energy. It’s bold and dynamic, with saffron, sandalwood and musk at its heart, balanced by refreshing notes of bergamot and citrus, especially pomelo. This one here is “Yin Transformation.” It was originally a limited edition but quickly became a bestseller. It opens with aquatic florals and evolves into sandalwood and benzoin, moving from a soft Yin energy to a warm, creamy finish.

QCEG    And “Moon Glory”?

CAROLE AYMÉ   'Moon Glory' is one of our most beloved scents. It captures that magical transition at dusk, when white flowers begin to bloom, releasing the warmth they’ve absorbed from the sun throughout the day. It’s truly captivating, with a soft hint of honey and vanilla, giving it a slightly more feminine, warm allure.

QCEG
Do you have a personal favorite?

CAROLE AYMÉ   That’s a tough one! At first, I gravitated toward deeper Yin scents, but over time, I’ve come to enjoy the full spectrum. The Harmonist invites us to explore scents by mood, so I see fragrance now as a way to refresh and shift energy throughout the day.

QCEG    Do you believe fragrances can influence our moods?

CAROLE AYMÉ   Absolutely. Each scent has its own energy, subtly shaping how we feel. Fragrance is personal, and when you follow your intuition, it becomes a powerful way to uplift and transform your mood. Thanks to olfactory memory, memories and emotions are triggered by contact with fragrance. That's why a scent can be so powerful and influence our psyche. Our state of mind or mood of the moment will intuitively lead us towards scents that make us feel good at the moment, or those that reassure us on a daily basis.

QCEG    Has The Harmonist entered the Chinese market?

CAROLE AYMÉ    Not yet. Currently, our primary market is the U.S., where we’re available in select department stores, and we have a flagship boutique in Paris—the only one of its kind worldwide. When The Harmonist launched in 2016, we opened two boutiques, one in Los Angeles and one here in Paris. However, after COVID, we decided to close the Los Angeles boutique, making Paris our exclusive location, which we’re very proud of.

For now, we’re focused on Western markets, with a presence in Harrods in the UK and in key regions such as Dubai. Our growth strategy is deliberate, emphasizing quality over quantity. The Harmonist’s identity is built on crafting fragrances with a high concentration of carefully selected, ethically sourced ingredients from around the world. This approach allows our perfumes to stand out naturally, without relying on heavy marketing.

QCEG    Do you have anything exciting planned for the future?

CAROLE AYMÉ   : Absolutely! We’re preparing to launch a very special fragrance in 2025. It’s a creation close to our hearts, designed to embody a new depth of harmony and connection. Though I can’t reveal too much just yet, I can say it will be a celebration of nature and spirit—one that goes beyond fragrance to invite a sense of tranquility and alignment. At The Harmonist, we believe in the power of scent to open doors within us, to connect us to something greater. This new addition will carry that vision forward, adding yet another chapter to our journey of creating beauty with purpose and meaning.

QCEG    That sounds truly inspiring, Carole. We’re all looking forward to the new launch in 2025. Thank you for sharing your insights and the vision behind The Harmonist with us today.

CAROLE AYMÉ   It was a pleasure, thank you for having me. It's always wonderful to talk about a brand and philosophy that means so much to me. Thank you!