Matthew Sánchez, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has carved out a distinctive niche in the fragrance industry as the founder and CEO of Matteo Parfums. Recognized as the youngest Black male and youngest Latino perfumer in the United States, Sánchez has combined his passions for art, science, and cultural heritage to create innovative scents that tell stories.
Sánchez graduated in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics and chemistry, alongside minors in global studies and entrepreneurship. Inspired by the character of Tony Stark from Marvel’s Iron Man, he embodies a spirit of creativity and determination. He attributes much of his drive to the values instilled in him by his father, a Mexican immigrant from Michoacán, and his Ghanaian American mother from West Virginia.
Blazing a unique trail, Sánchez began his journey by working in banking while pursuing an unpaid apprenticeship in perfumery. After sending out 100 cold emails, he secured a mentorship under a classically trained perfumer from Chanel who had studied at the prestigious ISIPCA in France. This experience proved foundational, as he learned essential practices and concepts in fragrance creation, likening the process to composing a musical symphony.
From Concept to Creation
Sánchez launched Matteo Parfums in March 2020, shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred by the circumstances, he postponed the launch to fall 2020, using the additional time to refine his first fragrance, Celadawn. “Celadawn is my most personal creation — my attempt to distill myself into scent,” he explained. The fragrance incorporates elements from various cultures, reflecting his diverse background, and it features the industry’s first “horchata amber” accord.
Horchata, a traditional Mexican beverage, has been a significant part of Sánchez’s life, and he was motivated to include it in his work. “If you’ve had horchata before, you know it’s a delicious, milky, cinnamon-rich rice drink; I had never seen anyone put it in another fragrance, so I immediately thought, ‘Why not me?’” he remarked.
Sánchez’s approach to fragrance creation diverges from the typical Eurocentric aesthetic that dominates the luxury market. He champions an ethos of “imaginative inclusivity,” drawing inspiration from various cultures and experiences. His second scent, Lovers’ Dew, serves as an artistic interpretation of what an Aztec or Mayan aquatic fragrance could smell like today, generating excitement and curiosity among consumers.
Innovation and Future Aspirations
Matteo Parfums has garnered recognition within the industry, becoming the first fragrance company to receive a grant from L’Oréal’s $200,000 Beauty Fund. This achievement underscores the brand’s innovative approach and potential for growth. Additionally, Sánchez has participated in a competitive startup accelerator in Texas, which focuses on creating a health-tech spinoff influenced by his father’s diagnosis with early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
He is working on a project called Eroma Health, which aims to provide scent-based early disease detection and health management. “When I learned in my research that several conditions and diseases, like Parkinson’s, have characteristic and detectable smells, I asked myself, ‘Who is working on this?’” Sánchez stated. His initiative reflects a commitment to merging his knowledge of scent with meaningful health applications.
As he continues to innovate, Sánchez remains connected to his roots at UCLA, expressing gratitude for the grounding he received during his studies. “It hasn’t exactly been a straight line. What great adventure ever was?” he said. “I’m ready to fully become the Tony Stark of the senses.”
With a burgeoning career and a clear vision for the future, Matthew Sánchez exemplifies how creativity and entrepreneurship can intersect to forge new paths in diverse fields.
