Introduction: Memo Paris, the luxury fragrance house co-founded by husband and wife team Clara and John Molloy, is founded on the belief that scent is a journey. Each fragrance is inspired by various destinations, transforming travel experiences into unique olfactory creations. For John Molloy, the art of perfume-making parallels the adventure of exploration—immersive, thoughtful, and rich in detail.
During the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, The Moodie Davitt Report’s Brands Director, Hannah Tan, spoke with Memo Paris Co-Founder John Molloy and Blue Chip Co-Founder Flora Lee, Memo Paris’ exclusive distributor for Asia Pacific travel retail. They discussed the brand’s unique approach to fragrance creation and how their collections reflect a deep connection to the essence of travel.
They also shared their thoughts on the evolving niche perfumery landscape and why they believe this category will continue to thrive.
Reflecting on the inception of Memo Paris, which coincided with the early days of niche perfumery, Molloy stated: “Memo Paris was founded 17 years ago by my wife and me. She aimed to create something different in perfumery during a time when the niche category was just emerging.
“She wanted to highlight perfumers as incredible talents, which led her to write a book called 22 Perfumers in Creation, becoming a key reference in the industry. She then collaborated with French perfumer Aliénor Massenet, who became the nose behind most of our fragrances.”
“Our unique selling proposition is finding beauty in various places and presenting it poetically to help our customers escape their daily lives,” John Molloy remarked. Since its launch, Memo Paris has expanded to over 40 countries globally, with travel retail being its next major focus. Molloy attributes Memo Paris’ success to the innovations in niche perfumery driven by those eager to express themselves through brands and push the boundaries of the industry, which had previously been somewhat repetitive.
“What we’ve done at Memo Paris is curate a collection of perfumes crafted by talented perfumers and marketed by a quality team that conveys the perfume’s story, message, and emotions to customers worldwide. People often experience fatigue from simply being shown products; our aim is to take them on a journey.”
Niche perfumery has thrived in the post-COVID landscape. Discussing what distinguishes Memo Paris in a competitive market, Molloy said: “We want our customers to find energy from beautiful places through our fragrances.
Memo Paris’ signature scents include African Leather, Madurai, French Leather, Marfa, Irish Leather, Sinlé, and Sintra. “Our unique selling proposition is discovering beauty in these places and sharing that beauty in a poetic way, allowing customers to escape their routines. If we can bring a smile to our customers’ faces for at least three minutes each day, we feel we’ve accomplished our mission.”
Recently, Memo Paris opened its first point-of-sale at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in partnership with The Shilla Duty Free, marking a significant milestone as the brand expands its presence in the Asia Pacific region.
Blue Chip Group, the exclusive distributors for Memo Paris in Asia Pacific travel retail, are led by Co-Founder Flora Lee, who is driving the brand’s regional expansion. Lee commented, “Memo Paris is relatively new in Asia Pacific travel retail, and we felt it was essential to establish ourselves in the heart of Asia, which is why we chose to launch at HKIA.
“In Hong Kong, we have an excellent consumer base eager for something unique, niche, and different from other brands.”
According to Lee, the Asia Pacific travel retail consumer has evolved, now seeking niche scents that express their individuality. Memo Paris is one of several niche fragrance and skincare brands in the Blue Chip portfolio, and Lee believes the demand for niche beauty will only increase. “Since COVID, customer behavior has changed dramatically, especially in Asia Pacific. Previously, everyone gravitated toward the same luxury brands and trends, but now they are eager to explore new options, which is why we focus on niche brands under the Blue Chip portfolio.
“For Memo Paris, I believe this trend for niche fragrances will continue for at least another decade. Following our inaugural project at HKIA, we plan to develop markets in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia next year.”
In closing, Molloy shared a final message for the industry: “Our invitation is to travel with us. ‘The journey is the destination’ is our motto, but it’s really about the people we meet along the way and the lessons we learn that make it meaningful. If you can foster trust between your customers and your brand, you’ll secure your place in the industry today.”
