text: Max Forti is a fragrance aficionado and collector for over thirty-years. Digital creator for almost a decade, perfume critic, fragrance connoisseur and founder of SCENTXPLORE. He will take you on a fragrance journey! He will host creative directors, perfumers, writers, bloggers and other fragrance industry folks. In this podcast he will also cover different subjects and topics in the ''Beyond the Bottle'' series in which he will talk about various relevant topics in today's world to help you find your ''forte'' in whatever interest you may have taking your experience to the ''max'' no pun intended, of course! See you on the other side.
  Season 4 - Episode 1: The Very Talented (Perfumer/Chemist) – Aaron Terence Hughes
  Welcome to the Max Chat Season 4:In this fourth season opener episode, I had the pleasure to chat with multi-talented perfumer and chemist Aaron Terence Hughes. He has disrupted the market with his long-lasting, intriguing and powerful fragrances some with their polarizing names such as: Slut, Boss Bastard, Boss Bitch... However, the fragrances are much more than just a thought-provoking name – there’s so much more to these compositions than meets the eyes (or nose)... I am also happy to report that Aaron have won the ScentXplore People’s Choice Award in the category: Rising Star Perfumer 2022https://scentxplore.com/awards/TOPICS OF THIS CHAT: · How his passion got started... From UK to the world!· Favorite notes and compounds · What fragrances inspired Aaron at an early age... · The Collection · What’s to come - Other elements rather than just fragrances! · Upcoming NEW Releases... · A New Direction! · Surprise Announcements... RAW!· Be kind to the art and respect people’s individualities... Discover Aaron Terence Hughes Fragrances: https://aaronterencehughes.co.uk/Be a part of ScenXplore - The World's First International Hybrid Niche Perfume convention: https://scentxplore.com/ Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send suggestions or ideas to Max Forti at: [email protected] OR [email protected] tuned for more chats coming your way… We’re just getting started!
  5/15/2023 • 57 minutes, 1 second
  Season 3 - Episode 7: Sarah Baker - from New York to London - Artist, Writer and an intricate Creative Director and Perfumer for self-titled indie brand of daring, innovative, distinctive and gender-optional fragrances.
  Season 3 - Episode 7: Sarah BakerArtist and Creative Director Sarah Baker works with some of the world’s most daring and innovative noses to create distinctive, gender-optional fragrances drawing on a myriad of inspirations. Sarah Baker works closely with carefully selected perfumers—all of whom are named on each fragrance—in a process of mutual inspiration and creativity to arrive at exclusive, luxury fragrances. Each one is an insight into the imaginations and craft of today's cutting-edge olfactory talents who know just how complex, sensual and game-changing fragrances should be. CHAT TOPICS:The beginning… Creative process. Current Collection overview. Up-coming releases and projectsThe art of perfumery, the journey. Ingredients - what’s the brand’s signature? Trends and Social Media.Find Sarah Baker Fragrances at: sarahbakerperfumes.comWant to chat, have ideas and/or suggestion or have a question - email: [email protected] OR [email protected] tuned for more Season 3 episodes coming your way!
  5/10/2022 • 47 minutes, 9 seconds
  Season 3 - Episode 6: Julien Rasquinet from business student to ‘’accidental’’ perfumer. Master-apprenticeship from Pierre Bourdon to creative mastery!
  It all started by ''accident'' from his father meeting one of the greatest perfumers of our time: Pierre Bourdon at an airport in which then took Julien under his wing which allowed him to learn the ropes and skills from a master-perfumer himself, where as he describes he was able to inspire us with his creations through the years as he says quite eloquently ‘’perfume is an art where you can express your feelings, emotions and memories…’’As they say, the rest is history! Julien Rasquinet is a Belgian native and Parisian resident... He currently has over 100 creations under his incredible portfolio in which many are great hits. Including but not limited to: Amouage Enclave, BDK Tabac Rose, Costume National Secret Woods, Creed Royal Oud, Frederic Malle The Moon, Masque Milano Russia Tea, Naomi Goodsir Cuir Velours, Zoologist Seahorse just to name a few. TOPICS:The beginning… (Early memories of favorite perfumes)Apprenticeship with Pierre Bourdon (learning from the best) Creative process. State of the fragrance world - current releases… What to expect going forward (what does the future bring?)Creed Royal Oud ‘’is this a real oud fragrance?’’Talking about Creed success and Pierre Bourdon’s creations! Say hello to Julien: https://www.instagram.com/julienrasquinet/ Stay tuned for more chats coming your way!
  4/26/2022 • 52 minutes, 51 seconds
  Season 2- Episode 7: Perfume YouTuber Latin Sensation: Andrés Croxatto (PerfumeMan)
  In today's episode I have the pleasure to chat with Entrepreneur and Perfume Reviewer. He is the TOP authority when it comes to the Spanish speaking audience in the YouTube perfume reviewing platform - Andrés Croxatto aka Andrés Perfume-Man. We'll discuss the following: TOPICS: His journey in becoming a fragrance reviewer on the YouTube platformFragrance interest - from a kid to adult (his favorites) Discovering and Creating his own fragrance.YouTube Channel - What it takes to be a reviewer and advice for those interested! What does the future hold? Upcoming projects.You can find Andrés Croxatto aka Andrés Perfume-Man here: YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSU9CcO8hvayDPZSZcfTxDgOficial site - https://www.perfume-man.com/Fragrance Site: https://www.andrescroxatto.com/products/andres-croxatto-manThe Max Forti Chat Podcast is brought to you by:https://fragrancebuy.ca/''Redefine your fragrance journey''Have a question? Send suggestions and ideas to Max at: [email protected] OR [email protected] Enjoy and stay tuned for more exciting episodes coming soon!
  5/28/2021 • 50 minutes, 56 seconds
  Season 2- Episode 3: Talking vintage perfume essence with writer and perfumer Miguel Matos
  Welcome to another Max Forti Chat, in today's episode we have the pleasure to chat with Miguel Matos. Writer, Fragrantica editor since 2013, perfume creator and more... Join us for a great vintage talk where we go over his true passions and how it all began! TOPICS: Niche PerfumeryMiguel Matos Perfume creations Vintage Perfumery (Best Perfumes ever created) Social Media expansion, what to lookout forBooks and great perfume literature Collaboration with other brands Up Coming Releases… Our fun and enjoyable Rapid Fire Session! You can find Miguel Matos creations here: https://miguelmatosperfumes.shopk.it/This podcast is brought to you by: https://fragrancebuy.ca/''Redefine your fragrance journey''Enjoy and stay tuned for the upcoming episodes, much more to come!
  4/1/2021 • 49 minutes, 49 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 15: Parfums de Marly Experience w/Managing Director Yvan Jacqueline
  My guest today is the managing director of one of the most prominent and fast growing niche perfume brands in the world: Parfums de Marly. Yvan began his journey with the Parisian brand back in 2009 and the rest is history. Over the past decade, Parfums de Marly has released many successful fragrances including some of ''FragComm's'' favorites and most sought after ''juices''like: Layton, Herod, Carlisle and Pegasus just to name a few. We're going to discuss Yvan's background pre-Marly, the debacle of name changing that involved their latest release: Greenley as well as, upcoming releases including (Pegasus Exclusif). Yvan will share his thoughts on copying brands (Counterfeit Fragrances), Grey Market and the future of niche perfumery as a whole and what's to come... Tune-in, listen-up and enjoy!
  9/30/2020 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 18 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 14: YouTuber Curly Scents - Andrea Charls talks Fragrance Community!
  My guest today is a part of the ''Fragrance Community'' on YouTube, she has been a fragrance critic/reviewer/entertainer for the past year and a half. With her bubbly and quirky style she is one of the top women fragrance reviewers on the platform. There's a lot more the Curly Scents though (Andrea Charls) is a singer-songwriter and an entertainer. Born and raised in the exotic and beautiful island of Cyprus, she currently resides in Boston, MA. Andrea has worked with many iconic artists such as:Annie Lennox, Javier Limon, Pepe de Lucía, José Mercé and Mario Frangoulis just to name a few. Sit back, relax and listen to this nice musical and fragrant chat with our own Curly Scents. Enjoy!
  9/23/2020 • 39 minutes, 57 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 13: Talking Perfume Compounds w/BASTIDE Fragrances Paris
  Have you ever wondered how fragrances are made? What is the process that they must undergo before they are ready to be enjoyed? My guest today is Adrien from Bastide Fragrances, located in the perfume capital of the world: Grasse, France. We're going to discuss compounds, ingredients and niche perfumery. Join us to find out a bit more about these lovely scented potions and how exactly they are made... Enjoy!
  9/16/2020 • 41 minutes, 8 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 12: When Music meets Fragrances w/Musician Kristen Capolino
  Today I'm joined by musician, fragrance lover and a personal friend Kristen Capolino. She has been a musician since the tender age of thirteen. Smiley, cute, petite. Kristen Capolino looks like she could be a high school cheerleader. But put a guitar in her hand and she will kick your ass! (Quote from The Guitar World).With a few Cd's and Albums under her belt she had the privilege of sharing the stage and recordings with a variety of guitar greats and legends including: Slick, Les Paul, James Burton, Michael Schenker, Al DiMeola, Steve Lukather, Jennifer Batten, Doug Pinnick and Wyclef Jean, just to name a few.Find out more about Kristen Capolino and her Mondial Music Tour at: https://www.kristencapolino.com/If you love fragrances and music this is one for the books. Enjoy!
  9/10/2020 • 48 minutes, 49 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 11: Amouroud Niche Oud at its finest forms! w/Donald Bauchner
  Today I have the pleasure to chat with president and CEO of the Perfumer's Workshop Donald Bauchner to learn about a company that started back in the late 60's and is essentially one of the first ''niche perfume brands'' we'll learn about the timeless Tea Rose brand as well as their flagship niche brand founded in 2016 AMOUROUD. We'll discuss niche perfumery, Oud variations, their collections, upcoming releases and much more... If you love fragrances, brace yourselves this is an episode you don't want to miss. Enjoy!
  9/2/2020 • 55 minutes, 24 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 10: New York-Centric Niche Perfume KIERIN NYC - Mona Interview
  Today I'm proudly joined by Kierin NYC brand director: Mona Maine de Biran.In this episode we'll be discussing the state of Niche Perfumery in the US, Kierin NYC future projects and NEW releases.Kierin NYC is an indie niche brand - independently owned and operated. The brand depicts real New York City stories illuminated in their fragrances - each scent in the collection shares a story of inspired individuals living a modern, urban lifestyle in the BIG APPLE! Kierin NYC fragrances are clean, conscious, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainably sourced and recyclable. The brand is one of the very few fragrance brands listed with PETA.ORG as 100% cruelty-free and 100% vegan. Genderless but Never Generic. KIERIN NYC fragrances are unisex and made for bold individualists and always for all... Enjoy!
  8/26/2020 • 47 minutes, 19 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 09: From L'Artisan Parfumeur to Gallivant - Nick Steward Interview
  Today I'm joined by Nick Steward, former creative director of one of my all-time favorite niche brands: L'Artisan Parfumeur, he'll share some great stories and past releases he was involved with. Nick Steward will share his thoughts on what is true niche, we will discuss pivotal niche brands of the industry that truly started the niche movement we all come to love. We'll talk upcoming releases and what we can expect from Gallivant as the brand evolves. Enjoy!
  8/19/2020 • 47 minutes, 48 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 08: Reinventing Niche with Masque Milano - Alessandro Brun Interview
  In today's episode I'm joined by Alessandro Brun, professor, musician and most importantly the creative mind of one of the most innovative and quality niche brands of modern day perfumery, Masque Milano.Alessandro Brun will share his thoughts on the state of today's niche perfumery industry, luxury brands, upcoming releases and he'll go over the four acts of his proud collection of Masque Milano fragrances. Enjoy!
  8/13/2020 • 47 minutes, 2 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 7: THE FUN and QUICK-WITTED MRSMELLY77 - Dan Naughton Interview
  In today's MaxFortiChat I have the pleasure to chat with fellow YouTuber, Fragrance Reviewer and Niche brand owner Dan Naughton aka MrSmelly77. In this episode we'll learn about Dan's passion for fragrances, his new brand venture Naughton&Wilson Gravitas and we'll discuss fragrance community, grey market and fragrance cloning... Enjoy!
  8/6/2020 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 57 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 6: Niche Brand from the land down-under - Dimitri Weber Interview
  He worked for Yves Saint Laurent, Shiseido, Issey Miyake, Cartier, Jean Paul Gaultier just to name a few of the brands... He moved to Australia in 2014 and after falling in love with the nature and landscape of the land down-under he founded Goldfield&Banks in 2016. My guest today is Dimitri Weber and he will share details about niche fragrance brand Goldfield&Banks, future releases, niche perfumery and more... Enjoy!
  7/30/2020 • 53 minutes, 49 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 5: Modern Master-Perfumer Cécile Zarokian Interview
  Today I have the pleasure to talk to one of the best noses of modern-day perfumery. She has an extensive and impressive portfolio of incredible and groundbreaking creations. My guest is French-Armenian perfumer Cécile Zarokian! Cécile Zarokian graduated from ISIPCA, she was trained for four years in Robertet, at first in Grasse, then in Paris. She was still a trainee when she created her first fragrance, Amouage Epic Woman. In 2011, Cécile decided to found her own company and to set up her laboratory in Paris as an independent perfumer. In this podcast we'll talk future of niche perfumery, niche projects, social media role (Fragrance Community) and we will get an insight prospective from a master-perfumer. Enjoy!
  7/23/2020 • 42 minutes, 40 seconds
  Season 1- Episode 4: A new Era for AMOUAGE with Renaud Salmon
  Today I have the pleasure to talk to Renaud Salmon the new Chief Executive Director with Amouage. With an extensive resume, he worked with great brands such as: Dolce&Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs just to name a few. He is now embarking on a new journey with Amouage, taking over the very successful Christopher Chong years. Renaud has some big shoes to fill... Let's talk Amouage and what's to come!
  7/16/2020 • 44 minutes, 37 seconds
  Season 1 - Episode 1: Roja Dove Experience
  My guest today is: Roger Bird, we all know him as ROJA DOVE.Director and creator to one of the world’s most prolific and sought after high-end Niche fragrance brand: Roja Parfums In this podcast we’ll learn a bit more about Roja Parfums history, up coming projects, future releases and of course we will get to know more about Roja himself on a very fun and interactive rapid fire session - stay tuned and enjoy…