From Self Taught Perfumer to Rising Star 2025
Quentin Hernandez receiving the Rising Star Perfumer 2025 award at ScentXplore, standing with the event founder Max Forti and holding the trophy.
The Rise of Quentin Hernandez: From Self Taught Perfumer to Rising Star 2025
In the world of niche perfumery, where artistry matters as much as technique, recognition is often reserved for a select few whose work resonates at a deeper level. In 2025, that honor was given to Quentin Hernandez, founder and perfumer of Qhue New York, who was awarded the Rising Star Perfumer title at ScentXplore, one of the most respected platforms in global niche fragrance culture.
For many, accomplishments like this come after formal training. For Quentin, the journey began differently. Entirely self taught, he built his craft one blend, one experiment, and one courageous step at a time. What started as curiosity evolved into a signature style defined by emotion, structure, and an instinctive ability to translate storytelling into scent. Today, that instinct has earned him a place among the industry’s rising visionaries.
Quentin’s entry into fragrance began with an admiration for the power scent has over memory, identity, and atmosphere. Growing up in New York, he was surrounded by a world that moved fast, but fragrance became a space of focus and expression. He explored raw materials, studied the foundations of perfumery, and refined his technique through dedicated self training. There was no academy behind him, just drive, discipline, and an unbreakable belief that fragrance could be both personal and architectural.
When Quentin launched Qhue, he envisioned a brand that reflected culture, craftsmanship, and modern luxury. Each fragrance was created with intention, from the concrete inspired vessels to the multilayered compositions inside. His breakout fragrance, Provenance, became a defining moment. The perfume was later nominated by The Art of Olfaction Awards, a milestone that validated Quentin’s work in the eyes of some of the most respected evaluators in the field.
By 2025, Quentin had already established a voice within niche perfumery, but ScentXplore marked a turning point. The Rising Star Perfumer award recognized not only one fragrance, but an entire body of work shaped through persistence and artistry. Judges and attendees praised Quentin’s distinct style, his bold use of materials, and his ability to deliver fragrances that feel both intimate and expansive. In a world where niche perfumers are becoming cultural storytellers, Quentin’s authenticity stood out.
The moment Quentin accepted his award was captured in a photo alongside the founder Max Forti of ScentXplore, representing more than a trophy. It represented years of quiet work, trial and error, and trust in creativity. It marked the transition from independent perfumer to an emerging leader within the global niche fragrance movement.
What makes Quentin’s rise so compelling is not just the recognition, but the humility behind it. He continues to speak openly about learning by doing, about the challenges of building a brand, and about honoring the people who support him along the way. Qhue New York remains a reflection of that spirit. Every launch, whether a bold oud composition or a soft floral extrait, carries the clarity of someone who creates from authenticity rather than trend.
As Quentin steps into the next chapter, the industry is watching. Collectors, retailers, and fragrance enthusiasts have already begun referring to Qhue as one of the most promising new houses in the niche world. Yet Quentin remains focused on the work: perfecting formulas, expanding the brand’s reach, and crafting fragrances that evoke emotion.
Winning Rising Star Perfumer 2025 is only the beginning. The real story is the journey it took to get there. And as that story continues to unfold, Qhue stands as proof that when passion and persistence meet, the world takes notice.