Barcelona once again became the international epicenter of high perfumery on May 20 with the celebration of the Gala for the IX International Perfumery Competition MOUILLETTE D’ARGENT awards ceremony. The event reaffirmed the competition's strong commitment to unfiltered creativity, artistic sensibility, and technical excellence in the world of fragrances.
In this 2026 edition, the competition broke global projection records by receiving proposals from 139 perfumers from 32 countries across all continents, who presented their creations demonstrating the vitality and diversity of a constantly evolving sector.
The great winners of the 2026 edition
The expert jury and the public vote recognized three exceptional compositions that masterfully captured the essence of the competition:
Jury Award – Rosendo Mateu Award: Granted to TRISTAN BADARD (England), from the house Quintessence Fragrances, for his brilliant composition ATLAS.
“Winning the Mouillette d’Argent means a lot to me. Having my creative work recognized and validated by such a prestigious jury, composed of voices I deeply respect in the world of perfume, is incredibly valuable. As a perfumer, much of the creation of a fragrance happens in silence, behind the scenes, so receiving this kind of recognition is truly special. What also excites me is the opportunity this award generates to connect with highly talented perfumers from all over the world: to learn from each other, share ideas, and continue growing through these exchanges. More than anything, it encourages me to continue creatively surpassing myself and to continue seeking new ways to tell stories through the aromas I design.” explained Tristan Badard.
Jury Award for Best Independent Perfumer: Granted to CARLA PEQUE (France), for her magnetic creation PIEL DE SOL.
“Receiving the Mouillette d'Argent still feels a bit unreal to me. When I heard my name, I simply couldn't believe it! My path to perfumery began at 14, following an encounter with a perfumer; something ignited in me, immediately and absolutely. At that precise moment, I knew it. Every decision I've made since then, every study, every step, has been oriented towards a single goal: becoming a perfumer. For me, a beautiful fragrance is a vehicle for emotions, passion, and sensations. That's what I try to create. Receiving this award for my patchouli creation, Piel de Sol, means feeling that passion can be recognized. What I hope for now is to have the opportunity to join a fragrance composition house that values emerging talent and allows me to complete my training to the fullest. I want to practice this craft, not halfway, but completely. This award drives me to keep going.” expressed the winner Carla Peque.
Audience Award: Granted to MIRO SENJAK (Switzerland), perfumer at Luzi, for his fragrance PATCHOULI HIGH CIS, the favorite of more than 500 people who visited the stores to try and vote on the finalist proposals.
“Winning the Audience Award at the Mouillette d’Argent means a lot to me, because it comes directly from the people who have experienced the fragrance. With PATCHOULI HIGH CIS, my intention was to reinterpret patchouli in a more luminous, diffusive, and contemporary way, while preserving its depth and emotional resonance. Seeing that this vision has connected with so many people is incredibly gratifying. As a perfumer, this recognition gives me the confidence to continue pursuing a more conceptual and artistic approach to fragrance creation. It encourages me to continue exploring new ways to translate emotion, structure, and atmosphere into a scent. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the fragrance and to the Mouillette d’Argent organization for creating such an inspiring platform for perfumery" expressed Miro Senjak after being announced as the winner.
Patchouli hands over to iris for the 10th Anniversary
The protagonist olfactive note this year was patchouli. As the celebrated expert Dominique Roques well indicated in his presentation, patchouli is "a star and icon of perfumery; the essence of the leaves of this shrub cultivated and distilled in Indonesia is unanimously revered by perfumers, who consider it one of the absolutely indispensable and irreplaceable products in their palette, one of the ten that everyone would take to a desert island". An aroma that continues to captivate with its aromatic complexity and evocative nature, speaking of earth, memory, and sensuality.
With an eye on the future, during the gala the protagonist olfactive note for the next tenth edition was unveiled: IRIS. After consolidating itself as one of the benchmark competitions for the global fragrance industry, the contest will celebrate its first decade of history by betting on one of the noblest, most complex, and most expensive raw materials in the perfumer's palette; an earthy and enveloping essence that promises to inspire new creations full of character and emotion.
A jury of international excellence
The rigorous blind evaluation process was supported by a committee of world-renowned experts chaired by Ramón Monegal and composed of: Agustí Vidal, Bettina Perisson, César Cánovas, Charo Moreno, Christian Carbonnel, Jerôme di Marino, Joan Mateu, Liana Baltazar, Luz Vaquero, Manel Pastrana and Marina Barcenilla.
Organization and sponsors
The contest is jointly organized by Ainea Perfums, Noreste Studio and Lluch Essence, with the valuable institutional support of the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the Beauty Cluster and the Academia del Perfume.
The event also has the strategic sponsorship of leading companies in the sector such as: Rosendo Mateu, Lluch Essence, Rafesa, Ramón Monegal, Cosmo International Fragrances, Eurofragrance, Iberchem, Minerva, Essential Composition, Ravetllat Aromas, Esencias Moles, Carbonnel, Ventós, Lucta, Perfums Bach and Perfumería Comas.
Voting points: Bringing the culture of smell closer to citizens
The voting points have been the fundamental key to bringing niche perfumery closer to the general public in a participatory, natural, and sensory way, contributing to significantly democratize the olfactory experience.
- Author Perfumeries: All Yours (Barcelona), Le Secret du Marais (Madrid), Les Topettes (Barcelona), Nadia (Madrid), Ruiz de Ocenda (Bilbao), Sancho Tena (Durango), Sens Bar à Parfum (Marbella) and Perfumerías Júlia (Illa Diagonal, Barcelona; Velázquez, Madrid; Paseo de las Damas, Zaragoza; Les Escaldes, Andorra).
- Institutional and cultural points: L’Unió (Teià)