Five questions with Gemma Barberá
Today, we sat down with Gemma Barberá, who recently joined the team of Iberchem as a perfumer specialising in consumer goods. With over 20 years of experience in the sector, Gemma is bringing with her knowledge and passion, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her with us in our team.
Can you tell us about yourself and your experience in the industry?
When I was little, I was already attracted to smells; my first chemistry teacher told me that I used to tell her that when I grew up, I wanted to create perfumes. Much later, and without looking for it, I had the opportunity to start my professional career in a fragrance company. That was in 2003, and I have stayed in this fantastic sector since that day. I have had very good mentors who have transmitted to me their passion for this world. With enthusiasm and diverse academic training, I finally specialized in creating fragrances for consumer products.
What passionate you the most about being a perfumer?
For me, one of the most exciting things in perfumery is observing the effect of a perfume that I have created or worked on a consumer. All these people, be it a family member or a friend, that are experiencing what you have wanted to transmit through that creation, be it seduction, joy, evasion, etc. That creation accompanies them in their daily moments and is a form of rapprochement and also a way of sharing a part of me.
How has fragrance creation/perfumery changed over the past years?
Several factors have influenced perfumery and made it evolve. On a practical level, price increases in raw materials and new regulatory requirements have definitely impacted our work.
On a more hedonistic level, over the years, perfumery has been influenced by fashion and consumer trends in the use of olfactory notes and raw materials. The type and origin of the ingredients used, their impact on the environment, as well as the storytelling are some elements that are becoming increasingly important.
How do you see the future of perfumery?
Fun and challenging! Although I anticipate some difficult moments, perfumery will always find its way. It will change or reinvent itself. In my opinion, that makes it even more exciting. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who’d like to become a perfumer?
In addition to being passionate and carrying out the necessary studies and training, I would say that it is essential to be very curious. A good perfumer has to continually investigate, be tenacious and also be daring. Not everything is written in the doses or in the accords. A good fragrance usually comes after many trials. The good news is that there are still many creations to discover!
