Carmita Magalhaes
Carmita grew up near a large forest and she is still moved by the memory of the smell of the trees. During her childhood she enjoyed walking, cycling and spending time in the garden, where her father, who loved aromatic plants, taught her to recognise rosemary, sage and mint. These childhood memories clearly triggered her love of fragrances, and were to influence her choice of career.
Carmita Magalhaes was born in France to Portuguese parents and has lived in Brazil since 1999. Although her father always said she was "European", she proudly describes herself as "French-Portuguese-Brazilianised".
Carmita grew up near a large forest and still gets emotional when she remembers the smell of the trees. During her childhood, she enjoyed walking, cycling and spending time in the garden, where her father, a lover of aromatic plants, taught her to recognise rosemary, sage and mint. These childhood memories were the trigger for her love of fragrances and influenced her career choice.
Carmita studied chemistry in France before training as a perfumer. "I really enjoyed the five years of my degree, especially studying the raw materials. It was one of the happiest periods of my life," she says.
When he graduated, Firmenich offered him a position in Brazil. Although she was only going to be there for a few years, she was soon captivated by the country. She loved the warm and friendly attitude of the Brazilians and the lush countryside. "The stereotypes are really true: the beaches, the wide open spaces, the variety of landscapes and the incredible fruit and flowers all year round. The light is spectacular, and the sun shines every day. Everything is easy. We live in a house that looks like a hut in the middle of the forest. Little monkeys come to eat in my garden. Life is sweet.
When he arrived in Brazil, the perfume industry was in its infancy. Since then, he has not stopped creating fragrances for the growing Latin American market. Following his three key words: freshness, comfort and sensuality.
