BeautyRival – In the world of fragrance, independence has become increasingly rare. Many niche perfume houses launched in the 2000s now belong to large conglomerates. Yet Memo Paris breaks the pattern. Founded in December 2007 by Clara and John Molloy, the brand remains family-owned — and is now entering a bold new chapter.
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After years of reflection, the Molloys chose to keep Memo Paris under their ownership. However, they recognized that staying independent also meant evolving beyond their own limits.
“We’ve got to challenge ourselves and bring in outside talent,” said John Molloy, Memo’s chief executive officer. “The brand has to be way bigger and stronger than what we can be.”
Industry sources estimate Memo will grow 35 percent in both sell-in and sell-out this year, reaching almost 150 million euros in retail sales.
From the start, Memo worked closely with artists, but Clara Molloy explained that collaborations now play an even greater role. “We do the same — but better,” she said. “There is more dialogue with artists, more perspective.”
One recent highlight was the release of the fragrance Odéon. Memo collaborated with French illustrator Jean Jullien, who reimagined the limited-edition bottle with images of a Parisian sky and playful figures.
“He has this genuinely young, joyful vibe,” said Clara. “Working with him gave me a new perspective.”
Created by Symrise perfumer Aliénor Massenet, Odéon combines warmth and freshness. Clara described it as “almost multicultural, like Paris itself.”
Today, Memo Paris operates six freestanding boutiques and sells through nearly 580 retail doors worldwide. The brand also runs subsidiaries in the U.K., France, and the U.S. Importantly, John Molloy sees the American market as the next big growth area.
“Right now, the U.S. is our single largest market, but it should be bigger than all of Europe together, which it’s not today,” he explained.
The Molloys plan to open a New York City store, though they are approaching the decision with patience. Meanwhile, a new retail concept will debut in Abu Dhabi in January, followed by updates to existing stores.
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Memo’s transformation goes far beyond retail. The founders recently launched a five-year strategy to reinvent the brand’s identity, from packaging and communication to store design. “By the end of 2026, we’ll have a whole new chapter for Memo,” said John.
Alongside Memo, the Molloys also oversee Floraïku and Hermetica, each operating as its own company.
For Clara, the ongoing changes mark a turning point: “It’s a real reinvention, like a rebirth. It will bring us to another level.”
