Nail varnish, hot plastic and new Pokémon cards are among the smells Quentin Dorado remembers. In his conversation with Divinity Perfumery, he explains how these memories become ideas for Sora Dora, who he works with, and why he singles out Mallow. This is an editorial summary of that conversation.
From selling perfume to developing his own ideas
Quentin Dorado, founder of Sora Dora
Dorado first worked in niche perfume sales. He got to know different fragrances and the people who make them, then decided to develop ideas of his own.
He finds inspiration in objects, people and moments he remembers. The smell of new Pokémon cards or nail varnish can interest him as much as flowers. He begins by working out which memory or emotion he wants to convey.
What the name Sora Dora means to him
Sora Dora perfume collection
He connects the name Sora Dora to his great-grandfather Antoine Soradora and his family’s interest in perfume.
The people who turn an idea into a fragrance
Sora Dora Jany
He develops the perfumes with the team at Flair Paris: Amélie Bourgeois, Anne-Sophie Behaghel, Camille Chemardin and Margaux Le Paih-Guérin.
Dorado describes a memory and the feeling he wants to convey, then works with the perfumers to capture them in scent. Together they adjust the notes and sweetness until the fragrance feels right to him.
Why he singles out Mallow
Sora Dora Mallow
His favourite is Mallow, whose sweetness reminds him of childhood.
If Mallow’s fruity, powdery sweetness appeals to you, read our guide to raspberry fragrances. For sweet scents with more summer fruit, explore our summer gourmand perfumes.
His approach to trends
Sora Dora Seven
Dorado says he first thinks about the story he wants to tell through a perfume. He listens to the market but does not want to follow a trend simply because it is popular. He also accepts that his personal choices will not appeal to everyone.
Explore the Sora Dora collection at Divinity Perfumery for individual perfumes and their notes.
For more stories about making perfume, read our interviews with the founders of L'Orchestre and Pigmentarium.
