Hermes’ Master Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena is a national treasure in France. His expertise and artistry within the world of fine fragrance is unrivalled and his humble nature charms everyone who meets him. Spend a few moments with him and you’ll be taken by his passion for his craft. He’ll describe the scent of a rare rose at the first light of dawn and explain how the cool breeze and dew affects its wondrous scent. In 2003, Jean-Claude began a journey of the world’s gardens that resulted in the exquisite Un Jardin en Mediterranee. Buoyed by its success, Ellena began traveling the world with his note book and camera. Un Jardin sur le Nil and Un Jardin sur le Toit soon followed.
A long admirer of the harmony and rigor of Asia, the perfumer most recently traveled to China where it is said, “life begins the day you start a garden.” He discovered dozens of unique gardens all speaking the same language of fluidity and precision. It’s the same approach he uses when creating a new scent for the French luxury house. Inspired by what he saw, he approached designing this scent by creating his own garden. He imagined a retreat in which to converse with oneself and with others, and to honour one’s ancestors.
And since a Chinese garden remains unfinished until every element, be it pond or pavilion, has been named, this new garden-fragrance is called Le Jardin de Monsieur Li.
“I remembered the scent of the pools, of the jasmine, the wet stones, the plum trees, the kumquats and the giant bamboo. It was all there, even the carp in their pond, taking the time to live to a hundred. The Sichuan pepper bushes were as thorny as roses and the leaves gave off a lemony scent. All that remained was to compose this new garden, one which contained all the others.” – Hermes Master Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena
Look closely at the bottle design and you notice a detailed creation by Chinese contemporary artist Li Xin. He created a series of paintings for Hermes, one of which was chosen to envelop, like gift-wrap, the bottle containing this scent.
I gave away a bottle of Le Jardin de Monsieur Li. Valerie Rawlings told me in a blog post comment below if she’d ever worn an Hermes fragrance.
376 Comments
Keyko
May 4, 2015 at 11:30 amNever, I am sure it has a very sophisticated smell!
bilqees bano
May 4, 2015 at 11:00 amnever
Lorna Kennedy
May 4, 2015 at 9:07 amIt’s a no from me….but I’d love to try it
Carrie Conley
May 4, 2015 at 8:48 amNo, I have never worn a Hermes fragrance
Kirsten
May 4, 2015 at 7:44 amTwitter miriama59 I’ve never had the pleasure.
gloria patterson
May 4, 2015 at 7:39 amI have NEVER ever worn a Hermes fragrance!! I don’t think I ever ever even saw it at any of the better stores that I have been in
Mariana L.
May 4, 2015 at 7:07 amNo, never. maybe I’ll win and have now the opportunity to war one.
Gillian Holmes
May 4, 2015 at 6:31 amNever worn one
Rabbiya Waseem
May 4, 2015 at 6:17 amno i have never used it
pauline jepson
May 4, 2015 at 6:14 amNever worn one , you could remedy that
Tess D
May 4, 2015 at 6:03 amNever bought a Hermes perfume always thought they would be too ‘heavy’ for me this ne actually sounds quite light so would love to give it a try x @forcompsonly
bridget
May 4, 2015 at 5:26 amWould love to try this, sounds amazing. You can never have enough perfumes!!!
Rreema Bhatia
May 4, 2015 at 4:31 amHaven’t. Would love to try one 🙂 twitter name – rreemagb
stella rapti
May 4, 2015 at 4:03 am@polemoxaris
No, never had the chance to try one on
Its about time!!!!
Anne C
May 4, 2015 at 3:21 amHaven’t. Would love to try one.
Crystalia Katrini
May 4, 2015 at 1:33 amNo I have never worn a Hermes fragrance but would love to. @crystalia2
Jonnie
May 4, 2015 at 1:07 amI have never worn Hermes fragrance
saidin shaari
May 4, 2015 at 12:59 amNOPE
Mykayla
May 3, 2015 at 11:26 pmNope, never have
Ron Miller
May 3, 2015 at 11:16 pmdon’t believe the wife has..
Brigitte Inderbitzin
May 3, 2015 at 11:04 pmI love the combination of the scent. Never tried it yet–excited to win this 🙂 🙂 🙂
Jeannie
May 3, 2015 at 11:02 pmI have never worn a Hermes scent before!
@nomnombearinyvr
Addie F.
May 3, 2015 at 10:15 pmI haven’t ever worn an Hermes fragrance! I currently switch between Gucci Flora and Burberry Brit Sheer. But jasmine is my absolute favorite scents, and all of the components of this fragrance sound like it was made for me!
Margaret H
May 3, 2015 at 10:14 pmlove to try this
Sandie
May 3, 2015 at 9:49 pmSuch a wonderful description of the notes of the scent. Love to try this one!
@sandradeet