How it all started

Spyros Drosopoulos shares his experiences and inspiration on his first steps into perfumery and how the collaboration with our founder Tanja Deurloo started, resulted in SEEKWOOD.

Can you recall the moment when you decided to become a perfumer? Where were you, and what triggered that decision?

I’ve always been interested in scent, both in the culinary world and due to my background in neuropsychology.
My focus included how people perceive scents in relation to one another.

I hadn’t considered becoming a perfumer myself because I wasn’t aware of the possibility, as the perfume industry is so closed off. Thanks to the first generation of niche perfumers on the market, I was triggered by the idea that you could create perfumes without formal technical training. That’s when I started exploring the world of niche fragrances, and the ball started rolling. In 2009, I saw an online course about perfume and gifted it to myself. I began experimenting and creating my own scents. Three years later, I registered with the Chamber of Commerce and started my own brand.

If you could teach any topic related to perfumery, what would it be?
I already do that. I’m a bit of a nerd and used to teach research design and statistics. When it comes to perfume, I teach about perfume formulations at the Institute for Art and Olfaction in Los Angeles.

If you were a perfume ingredient, what kind would you be and why?
Tabanone, an ingredient naturally found in tobacco. I’m not sure if I’d want to be it, but I find it a fantastic perfume ingredient.

When you think back on your first collaboration with Tanja, what is the first memory that comes to mind?
Very positive.
I was welcomed by Tanja and her colleague Isadora. I was nervous, coming in as a beginner, self-taught perfumer, sitting around the table with experts. Fortunately, I was met with a lot of enthusiasm, which gave me a boost and the feeling that I had something good in hand. It was the beginning of a close and wonderful collaboration.

What do you value most in professional collaborations?
A no-nonsense attitude.