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
Sharon Howard
April 30, 2015 at 7:41 pmI have never tried Hermes but after reading your blog I’m going to try and find it in my area to smell and maybe buy but it would be great to win also. @howard164551
Connie peixoto
April 30, 2015 at 7:38 pmUnfortunately I haven’t but I’ll be super happy to try it if I win it @ conniepeixoto
Vikki
April 30, 2015 at 7:34 pm24 Faubourg – so exceptionally elegant
Patricia B
April 30, 2015 at 7:21 pmYes! Caleche and Amazone over 20 years ago, used to get Equipage for my dad and more recently I got Jour d’Hermes, and also sampled Rose Amazone 🙂 Looking forward to try Le Jardin de Monsieur Li and some others from Jardin series. @fatamorgana1986
Ria Shah
April 30, 2015 at 7:21 pmI’ve never tried and Hermes fragrance before! @stewinson
Pam Goleski
April 30, 2015 at 7:20 pmI love Eau de Pamplemousse Rose in the summer.
Belinda McNabb
April 30, 2015 at 7:20 pmI have never tried a Hermes fragrance but sure would like to win one so I can
DESPINA VENETI
April 30, 2015 at 7:12 pmI have tried this sensual perfume just last week in a magazine sample, loved it!
I also wear Jour d`Hermes Absolu.
Valerie L
April 30, 2015 at 7:11 pmI never tried an Hermes fragrance, but would love to @chanceuse19
Dana Morin
April 30, 2015 at 7:09 pmNo I have never, but would love to!
Debbie Bashford
April 30, 2015 at 6:57 pmNo I haven not but I do have a vintage Hermes clutch that this would pair nicely with
Debbie Bashford
April 30, 2015 at 6:58 pmI keep forgetting to add my twitter ID @skeetersden
Sheerie Franks
April 30, 2015 at 6:48 pmNever tried them!
@SheerieF
Vikki M
April 30, 2015 at 6:46 pmNo not yet but I want to.
@mefink
Sandra
April 30, 2015 at 6:36 pmCaleche was my signature scent for about 20 years after I was presented a glorious bottle for my 16th. birthday. Recently I tried it on after an absence of about 15 years and found my scent sensibilities must have changed. I do like Kelly Caleche quite a bit and look forward to trying Le Jardin De Monsieur Li!
lenaki_papaki
April 30, 2015 at 6:27 pmNever tried hermes.
angie
April 30, 2015 at 6:06 pmI’ve never tried any but would live to try something new, I’m obsessed with perfumes! Lol
Brendah Kekana
April 30, 2015 at 5:56 pmI have not yet tried it. Hermes who? Lol, we don’t even have that germ of a fragrance in South Africa…xx
Ioanna
April 30, 2015 at 5:37 pmNever but i’d like to!!!
Janelle
April 30, 2015 at 5:34 pmI have not but if you say this smells great, than it must!
Paula R
April 30, 2015 at 5:33 pmUnfortunately no, but I would love to
@pmr555
crystal allen
April 30, 2015 at 5:17 pmNo I have never worn an Hermes fragrance but it sounds amazing! Thank you for the chance to enter. @clallen1971
Rstrevors
April 30, 2015 at 5:14 pmI have not possessed Hermes fragrance. Having read the review of the new Hermes fragrance, it sounds like it’s going to be a winner. I like the scent of jasmine and kumquat.
Julie
April 30, 2015 at 5:13 pmI splurged and got myself Hermes Jour D’hermes Eau De Parfum at home. I love it!
Marty
April 30, 2015 at 5:12 pmI haven’t, yet.
Valerie C.
April 30, 2015 at 5:11 pmI sampled Hermes fragrances on my honeymoon in Bermuda, but, have never bought one.