Oscar Emil, the new fragrance prodigy

At just 17, Oscar Emil has already bottled the art of storytelling into scent. Founder of his namesake fragrance brand, he’s redefining what perfume can be transforming emotions like first love, heartbreak, and self-discovery into wearable experiences. In this conversation, we explore how a teenager with a minimalist aesthetic and a fearless creative vision built a fragrance line that speaks to the heart as much as the senses.

At just 17, you launched your brand. Could you reflect on the moment you decided: "This is going to be my life’s work"? What moved you from idea to action?

The moment I left Cannes in 2023 I knew I was onto something special. All these incredible brands around me sparked my inspiration but I realized there wasn’t anything out there that really spoke to my age or my generation. That realization fueled my excitement to start creating something fresh and new. It was like a call to make my own mark and share something authentic.

The Love Collection is structured as six chapters of emotion: "First Love," "Mystique," "Chocolate Tears," and beyond. How did you translate those emotional states into scent compositions?

When I think about the Love Collection it all comes down to feelings. First love for example is soft and sweet, like blooming flowers and marshmallows, pure and romantic. Mystique flips the switch, things get spicy, passionate, and a little mysterious. Chocolate tears is about those moments when heartbreak hits hard but you turn pain into growth, transforming into something stronger. Then there's sex on the beach that captures the carefree, playful vibe of summer, mango and sunshine. And finally blue sunset, which feels like coming out of everything stronger and at peace, wrapped in ocean breeze and blooming flowers. It’s like a full circle, a story of the emotions we all go through and come out of better.

Do you envision fragrance first as a mood, a memory, or a narrative? What does your creative process look like from initial concept to finished parfum?

For me, scent starts with a memory or a song, something that really hits me deep. I usually write down my ideas and meditate solo on how they make me feel. Then I share with my team, brainstorm, and turn those emotions into universal scents that connect with others because they evoke the same feelings.

How does your own identity, as a Gen Z creator, shape Oscar Emil’s aesthetic and approach? Do you see scent differently than fragrance founders of older generations?

As a young creator at 18, I see life a little differently. But I don’t really see my process as about age or audience. It’s more about what sparks joy and takes me to a beautiful place. If that’s a scent, then I’ve done my job. It’s about creating from a pure, honest space without limitations.

At such a young age, how do you balance creative freedom with the demands of running a brand? What’s been the most surprising lesson of entrepreneurship so far?

Running a brand isn’t about balancing it all. It’s a way of life. I breathe it, live it, and let my passion guide me. Feeling connected, creating authentically that’s what matters most. It’s as much a part of me as breathing. More than a business, it’s just really the essence of who I am.

If you could collaborate with any creative partner, fashion house, artist, even another perfumer -who would it be and why?

Jacquemus. Their aesthetic is so inspiring. There’s this effortless grace that transports you and makes everything feel like a beautiful, easygoing lifestyle. Their vibe isn’t just about clothes it’s about the feeling of good living. I want to craft something that makes people feel the same way. Like life itself is a celebration

You’ve described a powerful moment in childhood when you first connected fragrance with emotion, your father’s cologne. How did that early experience shape your view of scent as storytelling?

Since I started at a young age. It wasn’t just one moment but an ongoing journey of discovering this world. Growing up immersed in scents helped me understand my emotions better and it’s always been about more than just smell. Fragrance has been my emotional ride, a way to connect with myself and others on a deeper level.

Words by Sal F.