Soul Care Through Scent: A Conversation with Guerlain’s Delphine Jelk

Scent has a quiet magic—one that can ground us, uplift us, and instantly transport us across memories, emotions, or landscapes. At Guerlain, this magic is woven into every bottle. As part of my ongoing exploration of how fragrance can support emotional well-being and self-care, I had the privilege of speaking with Delphine Jelk, the nez behind Guerlain’s newest Aqua Allegoria creation: Rosa Verde.

Our conversation quickly moved beyond perfume. What emerged was a shared belief: that fragrance is not just something to wear, but something to live. An experience. A pause. A breath.

“A scent should never just be worn—it should be lived,” Jelk shared.
“With Rosa Verde, we wanted to bottle the sensation of a garden at dawn. It’s green, dewy, slightly untamed… like a breath of clarity after a long exhale.”

This vision resonated deeply with me. It reflects the very core of the Abi Method: the power of returning to our senses—through breath, light, and scent—to find balance and presence. During Guerlain’s Rosa Verde launch, I had the honor of guiding intimate breathwork sessions designed to prepare the body and mind to fully receive the fragrance. With each inhale, guests were invited to root themselves in the present moment and allow the scent to become part of a ritual, not just a routine.

“Working with Abi brought a whole new layer to how people connect with fragrance,” Delphine told me.
“It made the experience slower, more meaningful. I think people left feeling something—something lasting.”

The experience reaffirmed what I’ve long felt: that the future of beauty lies in the multisensory. When luxury becomes mindful, and when scent becomes soul care, we create space for deeper connection—with ourselves, with nature, and with each other.

Exclusive Interview with Delphine Jelk

Perfumer at Guerlain

What inspired your vision for the Aqua Allegoria collection, and how does Rosa Verde reflect Guerlain’s approach to sustainability?

The collection is a tribute to nature’s wonders. I’m constantly inspired by the beauty of plants, flowers, fruits—even light—and how they positively influence our well-being. Rosa Verde continues that legacy, made with more than 90% natural origin ingredients, including alcohol derived from organic farming. For me, working with nature is both a joy and a responsibility.

The Aqua Allegoria motto is “The World is Our Garden.” How does this philosophy shape the fragrance?

It reminds us to celebrate nature—but also to protect it. I carefully choose the most beautiful natural ingredients—essential oils, extracts, and natural molecules. At the same time, I use select synthetic notes to bring clarity and structure. It’s a balance between honoring nature and telling a complete olfactive story.

You’ve called Rosa Verde a kind of “aromatic cosmetic.” What do you mean by that?

Rose and cucumber are beauty ingredients to me—hydrating, refreshing, calming. I wanted this fragrance to evoke that feeling of fresh skin, of a healthy glow. When we nourish the body with scent, I believe we also nourish the soul. That’s soul care.

What role do scent and psychology play in your creations?
I believe deeply in aromacology—the way scent impacts the psyche. With Rosa Verde, I wanted to offer serenity and harmony. The blend of rose and cucumber creates a feeling of calm and hydration. I hope people feel embraced, refreshed—like placing cool petals on the skin.

What personal experiences shaped this creation?

When I first discovered triplal, a molecule that smells like freshly cut grass, I knew I wanted to become a perfumer. I almost studied pharmacy—I dreamed of making healing potions. Now, I think of my work as just that: crafting perfumes as emotional elixirs. A kind of “pharmacy for the soul.”

How do you see the future of fragrance evolving in the wellness space?

I think we’ll see a deeper integration of scent into daily rituals of care. Perfume won’t just be about seduction or style—it will be about presence, healing, grounding. Guerlain is embracing that shift. Nature, when approached with respect, can nourish us on so many levels.

This conversation left me inspired—and affirmed. Scent is more than adornment. It is memory, emotion, a moment of quiet reconnection. When paired with breath and intention, it becomes a powerful tool for returning to ourselves.

In a world that moves quickly, perhaps the most luxurious thing we can offer is a pause. A deep breath. A few drops of something beautiful.

The olfactory ritual reminds us: the garden is not only around us, but within us. And through our breath, we find our way back to it.