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
J Kerr
May 1, 2015 at 2:19 amNo but I really want to!
CL Chin
May 1, 2015 at 2:07 amNo I’ve never worn an Hermes fragrance before.
@citygal28
marsha webb
May 1, 2015 at 1:03 amNot yet
Linda C
May 1, 2015 at 12:05 amNo, I have not tried Hermes.
michaela kellner
April 30, 2015 at 11:48 pmI have not, but I would love the opportunity to try one!
Wendy M.
April 30, 2015 at 11:45 pmI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance but would love to try.
Nicole Becker
April 30, 2015 at 11:34 pmUnfortunately I have never worn a Hermes perfume but I would love to!!
Antonia K
April 30, 2015 at 11:26 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance before, but I am positive this smells amazing! @helloharleyblog
Evelene
April 30, 2015 at 10:31 pmI have never worn this kind of perfume before but I would If i won because I like messing very sexy and pretty and I know that your perfume may be a little high for me to buy I know that I know it mess very good for the money!!!!
Sandra Huxley
April 30, 2015 at 10:30 pmNever ever worn any Hermes but that could change if I win
Patricia Caradonna
April 30, 2015 at 10:21 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance. Would love to win!
Liz Cameron
April 30, 2015 at 9:44 pmI have never worn Hermes but would love the chance to try it.
@4lizzybs
Myriam Forstel
April 30, 2015 at 9:20 pmYes! Caleche, Un jardin sur le Nil, Un jardin apres la mousson, I love Un jardin sur le Nil!
Carla W.
April 30, 2015 at 8:55 pmI have not tried any Hermes fragrances but I bet they do smell divine!
@saphiresandiamo
Louisella
April 30, 2015 at 8:40 pmNo, I have never worn a Hermes perfume; would love to try it by winning Le jardin de monsieur Li. Hermes: such a legend name.
Janet M
April 30, 2015 at 8:32 pmI have never tried Hermes before but would love to. @asherares
Shannon
April 30, 2015 at 8:25 pmVoyage d’Hermes was the last one I bought & loved it!!!
BlessedTA
April 30, 2015 at 8:24 pmYes I have. I like 24 Faubourg and Caleche
geraldine karanas
April 30, 2015 at 8:21 pmI have never tried Hermes perfume before
Dale Rodberg
April 30, 2015 at 8:08 pmI have never tried this either!
Christie M
April 30, 2015 at 8:07 pmI have never tried Hermes perfume before
Susan P.
April 30, 2015 at 7:51 pmI have not worn Hermes fragrance before.
Twitter: @orchidlady01
Jean Dahl
April 30, 2015 at 7:47 pmI have never tried anything by Hermes! I would love to one day.
Sue Pemberton
April 30, 2015 at 7:44 pmno, never worn anything hermes – not perfume or a scarf or anything else
@scoper71
Cheryl L.
April 30, 2015 at 7:42 pmUnfortunately, 🙁 I have never worn a Hermes perfume (if I had the $, I certainly would!) I did have a chance to briefly wear my brothers Hermes butter Lester jacket, though (I begged him for it , but he wouldn’t give it up. (I wouldn’t have either! Lol) But, I would love to have a Hermes scent on my skit! Thanks for the chance David! 🙂