Federico Restrepo, exclusive to the extreme!

Restrepo knows all about luxury. Over the years, he has explored it from every angle with unequalled flair. His latest madcap idea? An ultra-limited perfume: just 200 bottles for sale worldwide.
By Hervé Borne 27/04/01

As audacious as he is versatile, Federico Restrepo is an an authentic creator and an accomplished aesthete. At age 38, his career is little short of stunning. In the perfume and cosmetics department, he has designed packaging for E. Pinaud make-up, and bottles for Yin & Yang by Jacques Fath, Signature by S.T. Dupont and Azzaro's Chrome. But Restrepo's talents don't stop there!

An eclectic career path

Painter, designer, creator and writer, scion of a family of architects, Bogota-born but Spanish-bred Federico Restrepo was raised in a world of creativity. It is hardly surprising that he exhibited his first paintings at the age of 18... then immediately changed course, pursuing studies in logic and philosophy, and obtaining a Master's degree in those subjects from the Sorbonne. His artistic nature soon got the upper hand again though, and he threw himself headfirst into several design projects, one of which was awarded the Lampe d'Or (Golden Lamp) prize at the Salon International du Luminaire (International Light Fixture Show).

A man with a calling

At age 25, Federico Restrepo founded Raison Pure, his first design agency. The cosmetics industry soon took notice of his unique approach to shapes and volumes, and he was asked to devise creative new packaging. The offer was tempting, all the more so in that, as a self-taught designer, he was seeking to further his knowledge of manufacturing techniques and research into industrial materials. Once immersed in the world of perfume, he found out about novel glass-making techniques which could be applied to perfume bottles...

00h00 Remembrance of times past

At the helm of his own "Atelier", he is bringing out a unique perfume that shows off the know-how of a small number of skilled craftsmen... for the exclusive enjoyment of 200 select few throughout the world. It is a conscious choice.
The fragrance, composed by the perfumery Quest, (a blend of pepper, ginger, patchouli, nectar of honey and sandalwood), is a delicate, unusual and surprising creation. Designed by the master himself, the black-glaze-and-glass bottle is made by Pochet and Du Courval. It is nestled in a black-and-green-swathed case. Magnifique!

Yet another string to his bow

WIth all that, Federico Restrepo has not forsaken his love of philosophy. Having published a "Book of Hours" with Milan Publishers, he has just finished a new book called "Le livre des illusions, petits sentiers pour une méditation terrestre". Whenever he finds the time, he indulges in his passion for glass blowing, creating exclusive bottles in extremely limited editions every year. The "philosopher" that lies dormant within knows all too well how important it is to let the artist express himself.