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
Rob Hestar
April 30, 2015 at 5:09 pmI haven’t, but my wife does and loves it 🙂
@Hestisdabest
ΧΡΥΣΑ ΔΙΠΛΑ
April 30, 2015 at 5:06 pmNever worn one. ..sob sob sob…but maybe I will get lucky!!
@XDipla
Suzanne G
April 30, 2015 at 5:01 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance. It sounds exquisite.
@pinksuzanne
Tenley Erickson
April 30, 2015 at 5:00 pmI have not yet experienced a Hermes Fragrance. The Le Jardin de Monsieur Li sounds wonderful! I would love to try it 🙂 @MoonBranch
K
April 30, 2015 at 5:00 pmNever worn a Hermes fragrance – I think today is a good day to start!!!
Gabriela Sanchez
April 30, 2015 at 4:58 pmNo I have not. Wish I could
Debbie Meredith
April 30, 2015 at 4:57 pmNo, I haven’t as yet…. Not sure what they’re like….
kristen visser
April 30, 2015 at 4:53 pmno i have not
Eleni F
April 30, 2015 at 4:53 pmI’ve never worn it but Id like to try it
louise nowak
April 30, 2015 at 4:52 pmi have never worn a Hermes fragrance
Helene Decoste
April 30, 2015 at 4:46 pmI would love to try this!
Melanie
April 30, 2015 at 4:40 pmI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance. I’d love to try it!
Stacy Hirano
April 30, 2015 at 4:39 pmI have never worn an Hermes fragrance, yet! If I win, I would wear the fragrance along with my Hermes scarf (a present from my mother in law).
Elaine
April 30, 2015 at 4:34 pmI would love this, no where in Winnipeg carries Hermes
mick elemans
April 30, 2015 at 4:30 pmNever worn it but you have to start somewhere
Elena T
April 30, 2015 at 4:30 pmI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance… *sad face*
Ginger Henderson
April 30, 2015 at 4:29 pmI haven’t tried the Hermes Fragrance. It sure sounds like it is a very delightful fragrance. How he gathers all these fine scents together is beautiful. :))
Alison Braidwood
April 30, 2015 at 4:27 pmI’m sure I’ve walked away with a Hermes sample after spraying myself in a store, but I’ve never bought Hermes. I’m sure it smells very expensive :-0
Lara Grum
April 30, 2015 at 4:27 pmYes, Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
@Lara_Grum
Renuka Lallbahadur
April 30, 2015 at 4:23 pmNever worn one. ..sob sob sob…but maybe I will get lucky
Anita M
April 30, 2015 at 4:23 pmI’ve worn Caleche & absolutely adore the fragrance which has just the right hints! I would love to try this new Hermes fragrance. It’s sounds lovely and I would love to try it out! @anita6_m
Valerie Rawlings
April 30, 2015 at 4:22 pmI discovered Hermes l’Orange Verte in the 1970’s and have worn it regularly ever since. When I met my husband he decided he liked it too and now wears it as well. It would be nice to have a new scent to call my own from the Hermes collection and I can’t wait to smell this new one.
Ameirah
April 30, 2015 at 4:22 pmI have not but only heard great things & sounds most lovely so good luck all. thanks
sabiha c.
April 30, 2015 at 4:21 pmI’ve never worn an Hermes fragrance, hoewer I tried some testers
I still remember the richness of the scent…
would love to win
good luck all
Roberta
April 30, 2015 at 4:21 pmI’ve worn Kelly Caleche and I love it. Hermes fragrances are complex and gorgeous!