Today we’re sitting down for a chat with Iberchem perfumers Sandra Lucas (SL) and María Fructuoso (MF), who created the perfumes Ambition and Passion, that form part of a special Harry Potter collection. This special collection was unveiled last May in Cologne, Germany, where all those present were well and truly whisked away into the world of Harry Potter.

How do you feel about being part of the expanding world of Harry Potter through a sensory experience like fragrance?

(SL) Harry Potter is magic in its purest form. Like many people from my generation, I grew up with this amazing world and it was an honour to have the chance to create a fragrance that would capture the essence of this magical universe.

Could you tell us a little bit about your experience at the event?

(SL) It was a memorable experience. From the overall ambience at the venue, to countless details such as chocolates shaped like Quidditch balls and butterbeer. In those moments, we felt like real wizards immersed in the world of Harry Potter.

Wand in hand, we boarded the Hogwarts Express, confronted dark creatures lurking in the shadows, and visited Diagon Alley and the Room of Requirement.

The finale of the experience was utterly magical, but I would rather spare the details so that the general public can experience it for themselves.

Were there any specific challenges in attempting to capture the essence of Harry Potter in a fragrance?

(SL) Ambition has been a challenge from the very beginning, and I was looking for a way to convey the essence of the story through it. To me, amongst other things, Harry Potter represents both light and shadow, and despite being opposites, they are complementary at the same time. Perhaps the most difficult part was to strike a balance between the two, because I knew what notes I wanted to use to represent this idea, and I had to think carefully about how to bring it to life. The result is a fragrance with warm notes of ginger and vetiver on a dark base of incense and leather.

What elements from the world of Harry Potter inspired the olfactory notes?

(MF) The Harry Potter universe is vast and trying to focus on just one characteristic element was certainly difficult. I settled on dragon’s tears, thinking of their magical properties, and their power to heal any injury. This was my main inspiration. In some way, I tried to create a fragrance that heals, attracts, and envelops you with its magic.

Could you tell us a little about the creative process behind the development of this fragrance?

(MF) When faced with a challenge like this, I like to imagine a story where certain aspects stand out and then try to embody them in a single scent.

In this particular case, I was faced with the challenge of creating a perfume whose main element is dragon’s tears. Initially, I started to ponder the scent of dragon tears and my imagination drew me to a fragrance infused with dragon fire. As I was seeking to evoke the idea of tears, it was only natural to incorporate aquatic notes, whereas to express the idea of fire, I chose warm, sweet and even balsamic notes. It was definitely a challenge, but the result was something magical, just like the world of Harry Potter.

How would you describe the fragrance’s character and the sensations it conjures up?

(MF) Passion is a fragrance full of character, featuring woody and floral notes. Incense predominates on the top notes, with unique hints of cassis reminiscent of the spark of a dragon’s flame. The body’s woody notes and violet leaves carry you away to an exhilarating world. The aquatic notes of the base blend with the balsamic and sweet notes, suggestive of dragon’s tears burnt by fire, resulting in a truly mystical and exclusive perfume.