Dusita Blog guest of the month: meet Karen Marin

This month we welcome Karen Marin, a Paris-based American journalist, writer, and highly respected fragrance industry expert. If you’ve ever attended Esxence Milan, the leading international event for niche perfumery, then you may have watched her moderate one of the show’s panel discussions. Karen is also the soul of the online, perfume-themed magazine Essencional, which publishes original content and showcases notable pieces from other publications. Essencional’s newsletter is a must for keeping up with fragrance industry news, as well as reading about new perfume releases, raw materials, trends, and so much more.

Despina Veneti, Parfums Dusita Blog Editor

Q: Welcome to the Dusita Blog, Karen! Will you please introduce yourself to our readers?

A: I’m Karen, Content Director, Contributor, and Consultant at Essencional.com. My initial foray into the cosmetics industry began as a temporary holiday position in a specialty store—but I was instantly captivated. What started as a seasonal role quickly evolved into a passion that led me through a variety of positions in sales, management, buying, global marketing, strategic planning, merchandising, and brand development. Additionally, I authored and taught an online course on cosmetics and fragrance merchandising for the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

As a child, my Italian grandmother nurtured my appreciation for art, history, music, and Italian culture—interests that continue to shape my life today. Relocating to Europe felt like a natural progression, and in 2008, I fulfilled that long-held aspiration when I transferred from San Francisco to Paris within LVMH. Shortly after my arrival, I met Silvio Levi, co-founder of Esxence, who invited me to moderate workshops at the annual event. In 2018, I transitioned from the corporate world to join Silvio in building Essencional, an online publication that carries forward the spirit of Esxence throughout the year. When I’m not curating content for the site, you’ll find me at the gym, exploring museums, discovering new culinary gems—or at the airport, as travel is another enduring passion of mine.

Q: What is the meaning of fragrance in your life?

A: At a young age, I was fascinated by perfume bottles and little enamel boxes. Perhaps that explains why I’m still drawn in by beautiful packaging! Around the age of ten, I received a gift set containing four distinct fragrances, including orange blossom and muguet. This was my introduction to the concept of a fragrance wardrobe—something I’ve embraced ever since. My olfactory tastes matured quickly, and by my teenage years, I was wearing Bellodgia by Caron and a scent named Isadora de Isadora Paris. These perfumes conjured a sense of romance and escape, transporting me from the American suburbs to the Paris of Les Années Folles.

Now that fragrance is central to my professional life, I experience it through many different lenses. It’s undeniably a form of self-expression, a mood enhancer, and a tool for well-being. Yet, it transcends those functions. Through fragrance I’ve met people from all around the world, and I know that fragrance connects us. It sparks dialogue, ignites curiosity, and fosters community. Hand someone a blotter and ask, “What do you smell?”, and you’ll never receive a wrong answer. That’s the beauty of scent—it’s deeply personal, yet universally relatable. After all these years I’m still not jaded, it’s exciting to discover a new scent, to be enchanted.

Q: How did you get to know Parfums Dusita and which ones of Pissara’s fragrances are your favorites?

A: I first met Pissara about ten years ago at a launch event. Her creations mirror her personality: elegant, generous, subtle, refined. Each composition bears her signature—a romantic yet contemporary sensibility, imbued with a grace that is increasingly rare in today’s world.

I hold a particular fondness for Montri, which she dedicated to her father, the poet whose verses accompany her work. This woody-spicy fragrance evokes the image of a gentle man, exuding quiet strength and boundless kindness. It’s a moving tribute—a daughter’s olfactory ode to her father.

I’m also deeply drawn to Splendiris, which envelops the senses in a sumptuous embrace. From its initial burst of citrus to the powdery softness of buttery iris, the fragrance reveals a subtle sensuality beneath its serene exterior. The hue of the juice itself is a visual delight.

And of course, I must mention Tonka Latte. Pissara introduced me to this gem at Esxence 2025, and it was love at first sniff. This is the quintessential gourmand fragrance—beyond saccharine sweetness, it delivers a comforting warmth, a sense of being cherished, and the confidence of knowing one smells absolutely irresistible.

You can follow Karen on Instagram (@karen.de.paris), read her articles at www.essencional.com, and watch past panel discussions from Esxence at the YouTube channel @esxenceofficial