David Apel is a perfumer born in New Jersey who studied environmental chemistry before an offer from Givaudan drew him into fragrance, starting in the gas chromatography lab analyzing products already on the market.
He joined the American Society of Perfumers' apprenticeship program in 1990, and as a junior perfumer was sent to work alongside leading European perfumers in Paris, where he drew strength from his outsider perspective. Drawing on the landscapes of his native New England, he created signature formulations and bases that advanced his career, eventually joining Symrise, where he continues to work.
1993SunflowersElizabeth Arden
1996Les Belles de RicciNina Ricci
2004Wall StreetBond No 9
2005Obsession Night WomanCalvin Klein
2005Bleecker StreetBond No 9
2005Ralph Lauren BlueRalph Lauren
2006Black OrchidTom Ford
2007White Jasmine & MintJo Malone LondonCompositions inspired by New England's forests and coastlines, grounded in a deep technical knowledge of raw materials from years in analytical fragrance work.
Scentsation editorialFragrances credited to David in our catalog, by house.
Tom Ford · 2006Black Orchid32,851 ratings · ★ 3.8802Elizabeth Arden · 1993Sunflowers6,280 ratings · ★ 3.4903Calvin Klein · 2005Obsession Night Woman2,519 ratings · ★ 3.8904Bond No 9 · 2005Bleecker Street2,489 ratings · ★ 4.1905Ralph Lauren · 2005Ralph Lauren Blue1,754 ratings · ★ 4.1506Bond No 9 · 2004Wall Street944 ratings · ★ 3.62
Story-driven, unconventional compositions that reject European perfumery tradition in favor of unusual landscapes and forgotten histories.
109 creations
American perfumer.
55 creations
Narrative-driven fragrances built to evoke fictional worlds and characters, blending literary inspiration with fine raw materials.
37 creations
