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
michelle d'ercole
May 1, 2015 at 3:30 pmNo I have never worn an Hermes scent but somehow I’m guessing that it will be Classic and fabulous at the same time!
Stella K
May 1, 2015 at 2:28 pmNo I have never worn a Hermes fragrance and I would love to!
Elizabeth Friesen
May 1, 2015 at 2:22 pmMy mother had Calèche in her collection, when I was a child. I used to steal a spritz or two on occasion, but always got caught. I was a little too heavy-handed in my application. 😉
Brenna
May 1, 2015 at 1:29 pmI’ve never actually tried an Hermes fragrance! I haven’t heard as much about them.
@EverAfterEsther
Felina P
May 1, 2015 at 1:22 pmNo, I have not, but this one sounds tempting.
Liz G
May 1, 2015 at 12:29 pmI’ve received several samples of Hermes perfumes–including unisex and those for men that went to my boyfriend. The last one I tried, Eau de Mandarine Ambree, wasn’t particularly suited for me, BUT I did have a bottle of 24, Faubourg that I absolutely loved a while back. This just struck a memory of that beauty and now I feel like getting it again! Interesting and good article, as usual! @goldmeteor
September Dee
May 1, 2015 at 12:09 pmMany years ago I visited my aunt in Europe. We went to the Opera and she smelled so divine. I complimented her on her fragrance. Not long afterward she bought me Calèche. To this day whenever I apply the scent I think of her.
Jayne K
May 1, 2015 at 11:43 amI’ve never tried a Hermes fragrance. The bottle makes it look very classy!!
@jaizduck
Lori M
May 1, 2015 at 10:55 amI’ve never had a Hermes fragrance but would love to try it:)
tuğçe eralp
May 1, 2015 at 10:09 amI want it 🙂 Im using un jarden sur le nil and I want this new one 🙂 My twitter is T__Eralp 🙂
Gabrielle
May 1, 2015 at 9:25 amI’ve never tried an Hermes fragrance, but would love to try this.
Sharon Dryburgh
May 1, 2015 at 9:09 amHave never worn one but would love to. I bet it’s pure class in a bottle
Edith Thurman
May 1, 2015 at 8:48 amI’ve never worn one, but I’ll try anything once! OXOXOX
Carl Watkins
May 1, 2015 at 8:41 amI’ve never bought this fragrance for my but would love to give it to her.
Maria Vezenkova
May 1, 2015 at 8:26 amI’ve never had a Hermes fragrance and would like to try this one. Thanks for the chance, Dave!
Nathalie
May 1, 2015 at 7:54 amNever tried Hermes fragrances. Would love to! @NJA1965
gloria patterson
May 1, 2015 at 7:36 amHave I ever wore a Hermes fragrance? NO I could only dream of being able to buy a bottle of Hermes fragrance!
@1560gl
Pam cox
May 1, 2015 at 7:24 amonce again a great article thank you for all you do
Felicity
May 1, 2015 at 7:10 amI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance && would love to… I do know the brand though to be very elegant!
Cari Tomei
May 1, 2015 at 6:53 amNope! Never heard of this brand.
@sparklyone32
Rachel C.
May 1, 2015 at 5:41 amI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance – but would love to!
laura
May 1, 2015 at 5:32 am@laura_cannas mmh no, never tried an hermes fragrance but i’d love to try
Spyros M.
May 1, 2015 at 4:26 amI have never worn Hermes…i would like to win thi one!
Anastasia T.
May 1, 2015 at 4:13 amI have never worn an Hermes fragrance.
@AnastasiaTT
Lorraine Johnson
May 1, 2015 at 2:33 amI have never worn Hermes, but I’d love to try