A RADICAL THINKER, AN ARTIST, AND A SCIENTIST

Abel’s fragrance collection emerges from a boundary-pushing creative process. Frances the radical thinker, Isaac the artist, and Fanny the scientist form the trio behind Abel’s scents, working together to craft bold, contemporary fragrances made from 100% natural ingredients.

This intersection of artistry, science, and innovation comes to life in Paris, within the creative hub and laboratory of our Master Perfumer.

On a recent trip, Abel founder Frances Shoemack took us behind the scenes of her time with master perfumer Isaac Sinclair and biochemist Dr. Fanny Grau, to offer a glimpse into the collaborative process behind the fragrances.

From a city enclosed in native forest, to the bustle and heritage of the boulevard Haussman, Abel’s creative process spans continents and disciplines. It’s these cultural intersections that make our creative process unique, something that flows through into the scents and our desire to challenge the status quo.

New Zealand based Frances is our radical thinker and founder, who challenged that 100% natural perfume isn’t just possible, but the future.

Paris based, Isaac Sinclair, is our master perfumer, and Frances’ first ally, since day one.

Fanny...

“I was never going to be the perfumer at Abel, but I adore working so closely with them. I see my role as co-conspirator on the creative journey, a creative director who can challenge Isaac and Fanny to constantly push the boundaries. From the start, it was about finding the right collaborators.

Meeting Isaac was pivotal — his artistry and shared vision made him the perfect partner. Later, bringing Fanny on board added the scientific expertise that allowed us to push our palette even further. Together, the three of us make Abel fragrances what they are today.” — Frances

Despite working across continents and time zones, the trio’s creative partnership thrives. With Frances in New Zealand and Isaac and Fanny in Paris, ideas are refined through late-night calls and early-morning discussions. When reunited at L’Appartement Étoile, their precious time together is devoted to focused, intensive sessions that shape each fragrance into its final formulation.

“When the three of us are back together in L’Appartement Étoile, the energy is electric. After weeks of calls across time zones, having that focused time together is invaluable, it’s when ideas crystallize and each fragrance finally takes its true shape.” — Frances