Through his new company Crafting Beauty, industry veteran François Damide hopes to help small retailers and fashion companies launch and market their own fragrances.
“I’m basically building a bridge between the fashion industry and the beauty industry,” said Damide, whose business model involves helping clients imagine, create and distribute bespoke scents.
“I take care of everything from A to Z,” said Damide, who added that it takes about two months to complete a scent and can cost between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the project specifications. Additionally, a minimum of 1,000 bottles must be ordered.
Damide, who relocated in 1986 from northern France to New York City for a job in the fashion industry distributing French Solstiss lace, said he was soon drawn into the world of beauty. “I became very involved in the fragrance industry,” he said. “People knew me from behind the scenes as a key supplier to their world.” To that end, Damide went on to work with French brand Jeanne Arthes Perfumes and Colognes, and in 2001 helped launch the mood-enhancing Smiley perfume at Henri Bendel. In 2010, Damide founded his own company, Crafting Beauty, with the goal of offering personalized scents for clients. Industry sources estimate the brand could generate $1 million in first-year sales.
Related Articles
“I had a vision,” said Damide. “I wanted to give the opportunity to small fashion brands and up-and-coming designers to create their own perfumes. In the back of their minds they are all dreaming of a perfume, [which is] the first step in extending their label.”
Part of Damide’s business model is making the perfume launch and distribution process as smooth as possible for his client.
To that end, he has an in-house team of designers and perfumers (as well as his own manufacturing plant in France) and also offers guidance with sales, marketing and public relations initiatives pertaining to distribution of the final product.
Most recently, Damide collaborated with Florida-based fashion photographer Christophe Jouany on his own line, Jouany, at Bendel’s earlier this month.
“The customer is looking for more independent brands,” said Damide, who consults with an advisory board of fragrance executives, including Annette Green, Marc Rosen, Ruth Finley and Karen Dubin.
Damide says his future plans include extending into home goods and body products as well as expanding distribution.