BDK Parfums on Their Latest Scent, “Impadia”
Impadia is the latest fragrance from BDK Parfums, a house that continues to challenge convention while remaining rooted in craftsmanship and narrative. Bold, enigmatic, and intentionally genderless, Impadia offers a fresh take on rose—one that’s both classic and contemporary, sensual yet grounded.
In this exclusive conversation with Cake The Mag, founder David Benedek shares the creative journey behind the new scent, from its striking name and concept to the olfactory choices that give it depth, edge, and lasting intrigue.
Impadia has been described as a tribute to pure beauty. What does that concept mean to you personally, and how did you translate it into scent?
For me, pure beauty lies in nuance—it’s a balance between light and shadow, strength and softness. It’s not about perfection, but about presence, emotion, and depth.
With Impadia, I wanted to create a fragrance that felt luminous yet powerful, delicate yet unforgettable. The rose was the starting point—a timeless symbol of beauty. But I wanted to avoid the conventional. Working with Jordi Fernández, we created a modern interpretation by blending Bulgarian and Turkish roses for a heart that’s sensual and addictive. Madagascar vanilla and a creamy praline accord bring roundness, like a soft caress on skin. To give it a signature edge, we used Givaudan’s Akigalawood™ for its spicy woodiness and Ambrofix™ to add radiant, ultra-sensual energy.
“For me, Impadia is a tribute to a kind of beauty that feels magnetic and sincere—quiet, radiant, and unforgettable.”
What emotions or imagery were you hoping to evoke with Impadia, and how did that influence the choice of notes and structure?
The idea was to evoke the skies of Paris as they shift throughout the day—from the softness of morning light to the warmth of twilight. I was deeply inspired by a Rothko painting from 1968, filled with glowing pink and red tones. That became a visual metaphor for the scent.
The top opens with bergamot and mandarin, echoing dawn’s first light. At the heart, the roses bring a diffused, midday floral glow. The base—creamy praline, vanilla, and woody musks—captures the enveloping warmth of sunset. Every layer was designed to translate the visual poetry of light and colour into olfactive emotion. Even the name Impadia, blending “imperial” and “dia,” captures the feeling of experiencing an imperial day beneath a Parisian sky.
As the founder of BDK Parfums, how do you approach each new creation without repeating yourself—especially with such a narrative-rich portfolio?
Each new fragrance is a chance to explore something different—new emotions, new stories.
I believe in respecting the codes of classical perfumery but reimagining them with a modern lens. Our DNA is about using the finest materials with intention and creativity. I don’t believe in following formulas or playing it safe. What excites me is creating unique olfactive signatures—scents that feel like experiences rather than just products. Even within our existing palette of ingredients, there are infinite possibilities.
I’m always searching for new combinations, new ways to surprise and move people.
French perfumery has always valued craftsmanship and tradition. How do you maintain that heritage while pushing boundaries with contemporary compositions like Impadia?
I have deep respect for the heritage of French perfumery—it’s about excellence, structure, and balance. But I don’t see tradition as something restrictive. It’s a foundation that allows you to take risks.
With Impadia, I took a classic flower like the rose and gave it a more urban, modern attitude. What I love most is creating contrasts—sweetness with airiness, softness with strength. These “olfactive accidents,” as I call them, are what bring emotion. And even when innovating, we never compromise on quality. That’s the cornerstone of French craftsmanship, and it remains central to BDK’s identity.
What defines a truly ‘niche’ perfume today—and do you feel that term still holds the same weight it once did?
A true niche perfume doesn’t try to please everyone. It explores its own path, speaks with its own voice. Niche is about quality, creativity, and individuality.
While the term is more widely used now—and niche fragrances are more accessible—the spirit of niche perfumery still matters. It represents the pursuit of authenticity, for people who want to wear something that reflects their identity. At BDK, we create for those who see perfume not as an accessory, but as self-expression.
Looking back at your journey with BDK Parfums, how has your creative process evolved from your first fragrance to Impadia?
When I created Bouquet de Hongrie, it was a homage to my grandmother—a fresh, delicate rose, intentionally classic. At that time, I felt drawn to the codes of traditional perfumery.
Since then, I’ve grown more confident in pushing boundaries—exploring texture, contrast, and emotion. My creative process has become more collaborative and instinctive. I’ve developed deeper trust in my perfumers and a sharper vision for what I want each fragrance to evoke. Take rose, for example: from Bouquet de Hongrie to Nuit de Sable and Tabac Rose, and now Impadia, each interpretation reveals a different facet. The same goes for our Extrait collection—it allowed us to revisit classics like Gris Charnel and Rouge Smoking in a more intense, immersive way.
The heart remains the same: emotion, quality, and a love for storytelling—but there’s more boldness now, and a willingness to take creative risks.
Are there certain raw materials or techniques you find yourself continuously drawn to as a perfumer and storyteller?
Yes—there are recurring notes that define the BDK olfactive signature. Tonka bean, vanilla, and musks are ingredients I return to often. They bring sensuality, warmth, and long-lasting presence. Whether in Velvet Tonka, Gris Charnel, or Vanille Leather, these materials help build that deep emotional connection we aim for. Each fragrance interprets them differently, but they always offer a kind of intimacy and texture that I find essential.
What role do you believe emotion plays in perfumery, and how important is it that a fragrance resonates beyond its notes?
Emotion is everything. A beautiful composition is meaningless if it doesn’t move you.
For me, perfume is a language—it tells stories, evokes memories, expresses moods. At BDK, I always begin with emotion: How do I want someone to feel when they wear this? Bold, romantic, nostalgic, powerful? Perfume can say what words cannot. When a fragrance becomes part of someone’s personal story, when it resonates beyond the bottle—that’s when it succeeds.
What has been the most surprising shift in consumer preferences in recent years, and how does BDK respond to those evolving tastes?
One major shift is the desire for more intensity and longevity. People want perfumes that make a statement—bold, memorable scents that last all day. There’s also a growing demand for uniqueness and individuality. Consumers are becoming more educated, more adventurous. At BDK, we’ve responded by introducing extraits, reimagining some of our most beloved fragrances in a more intense and luxurious format. But more importantly, we continue to focus on quality and creativity—because in the end, authenticity never goes out of style.
