Patricia de Nicolaï is a French perfumer and the head of her own perfume company, Parfums de Nicolai. Born in Paris into the Guerlain perfumer family, she is the great-granddaughter of Pierre Guerlain and niece of Jean-Paul Guerlain. After studying chemistry and perfumery at ISIPCA, she worked at Florasynth and Quest International, collaborating on notable fragrances like Lancôme Trésor.
Despite her prestigious heritage, de Nicolaï faced gender discrimination in the perfume industry, which led her to establish her own brand in 1989 with her husband Jean-Louis Michau. Her perfumes are renowned for their high quality and elegance, earning her the title of one of the unsung greats of the fragrance world.
De Nicolaï has received several honors, including the International Prize for Young Perfumers and the Legion of Honour. She is also the president of the Osmothèque, the French perfume archive, and is recognized for her commitment to traditional perfumery values and her unique olfactory signature.
