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
Lin Daubney
May 5, 2015 at 2:12 pmI’ve never tried a Hermes fragrance, but I’m always willing to try something new.
lynn savage
May 5, 2015 at 11:42 amI’ve never tried a Hermes fragrance, but I would like to.
Stewart Osborn
May 5, 2015 at 9:50 amHaven’t tried a hermes fragrance before but would love to try one thank you x
sharon mead
May 5, 2015 at 7:50 amnever tried Hermes, but is on my wish list
Leya
May 5, 2015 at 4:59 amOh no, I’ve never tried an Hermes scent before. I lust after their scarves and bags. Would love to try out their perfumes.
Leanne Perrett
May 5, 2015 at 4:26 amnever tryed it but would love to be given a chance to thank you
Nikolina
May 5, 2015 at 3:21 amNo, i have never worn a Hermes fragrance, I never even tested any of them yet… 🙂
@Nikolina_84
Emily Clark
May 5, 2015 at 3:18 amI’ve never worn Hermes, but of course, like every girl, I’d love to!
Kathleen Gereg
May 4, 2015 at 10:35 pmNo, I’ve never worn Hermes-YET!
Susan
May 4, 2015 at 8:47 pmTwitter susan1375 never worn any but I am saving up for a hermes scarf
tara
May 4, 2015 at 8:21 pmnever tried it before – but it sounds great… I love trying out new scents! @MysticFaerie77
Edmond
May 4, 2015 at 8:14 pmOMG, never tried it. But product looks divine. Classy. Wow, prize Hermes scent is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. Pick me, pick me!
wendy mackenzie
May 4, 2015 at 8:13 pmnever wore a hermes fragrance but it’s on my bucket list. especially if it’s pro bono.
lynda o'connor
May 4, 2015 at 7:56 pmNo I haven’t but would love to try this fragrence.
Jolene
May 4, 2015 at 5:47 pmI haven’t but I have my eye on this one.
@jcwittig
Val
May 4, 2015 at 5:46 pmI haven’t
@bunnyb62
Bube
May 4, 2015 at 5:33 pmI haven’t,but this looks amazing 🙂
Bube
May 4, 2015 at 5:33 pmTwitter:@Bube987
Despoina Abazi
May 4, 2015 at 5:32 pmWould love to try it,as i have never had an Hermes perfume.
Thanks!
Twitter name:Despina Abazi
Darcy Cameron
May 4, 2015 at 5:16 pmI have never worn/sampled a Hermes fragrance before,
don’t think it is on any of the counters in Ireland 🙁
@DarcyCameron7
sandra ralph
May 4, 2015 at 2:39 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance, but would love to try this one @moonlightlady2
shirley anne adams
May 4, 2015 at 2:24 pmi would love to try this one 🙂
Carolyn Corrin
May 4, 2015 at 12:29 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance, but would love to try this one. @victreebel21
Mary Gaudet
May 4, 2015 at 12:28 pmI have never worn an Hermes fragrance before. It sound like this scent is very beautiful and I’d love to meet Jean Claude; what an interesting man!
@lady_ingenue
mary tint
May 4, 2015 at 12:21 pmi have not tried a hermes fragrance but would love to hope to win a chance to thank you
Elizabeth Doody
May 4, 2015 at 11:31 amNo I have never tried it