Roja Dove

Perfumer & Chairman of The Fragrance Foundation UK

Roja Dove is one of the world's most respected personalities in the perfumery world. The founder of the world's first Haute Parfumerie (Harrods), and the creator of Roja Parfums, he is globally renowned for working with only the finest ingredients available. To The New York Times he is 'a master tailor of scent'. The Financial Times consider him 'a legendary figure in the world of scent', and GQ have declared that Roja is 'the greatest nose in the world'.

Rolls-Royce, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, The Victoria & Albert Museum and The Macallan are just some of the world's most prestigious brands that have called upon Roja's inimitable style. Such collaborations confirm Roja's place at the forefront of artistic innovation, globally.

The international success of Roja Parfums, combined with the creativity of its eponymous creator, led to Roja's appointment as a cultural Ambassador for The Great Britain Campaign - celebrating the best in British craftsmanship and innovation.

Since June 2022 Roja has been appointed as Chairman, Fragrance Foundation UK (a non-profit organisation supporting the awareness and growth of the UK fragrance industry).

Why are you involved with The Fragrance Foundation UK?

I think the Fragrance Foundation UK provides the perfect, unbiased platform to help people really understand our industry. It is an incredibly supportive organisation for those people involved within it, providing so many opportunities that are generally not available. And, as we start to widen our communications with the general public, it means it is a great place for unbiased, factual information for everybody. Anything which supports our industry and furthers it has to be applauded in my opinion, and I’m so proud to play a small role in supporting The Fragrance Foundation UK. 

Why do you love Fragrance?

"A perfumer is a poet or storyteller, who creates the tangible from the intangible - abstract images that strike at our core. We create products that become part of our clients’ lives and loves - intrinsically interwoven with their memories and those who know them. What I love about fragrance is that it is non-judgemental. It ignores age, gender, race. It is kind to everybody and is capable of truly changing you.”

What is your Scent Memory?

Scent is such a magical thing because it gives a gift to everyone around the person who is wearing it. My earliest scent memory is of the scent my mother always wore - without this scent I wouldn’t have lived the life that I have led. That is quite a powerful thing to say, but it is true. I fell in love with perfume as I smelt it on my mother one evening when she was going out to a cocktail party. I was put on a path that I was born to walk down and Roja Parfums, my brand, would not exist without that particular scent memory