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
Dana Zadunayski
May 3, 2015 at 10:41 amHave never won nor owned anything from Hermes. Would love to though.
Charandeep Singh
May 3, 2015 at 10:41 amI do and i just love Terre D’Hermes
Erica
May 3, 2015 at 10:40 amI’ve never tried one but I think I might now 🙂
zelke
May 3, 2015 at 10:39 amYes I have, and it was a bottle perfume that my father bought on my birthday years ago. The name. “Jardins de Bagatelle. Well in fact he gave me the money to buy it after I saw that beautiful bottle in a shop with a lovely handkerchief depicting a beautiful garden in it. I was even happier when I smelled it and it became my perfume for many years. So particular, original and special. So warm and tender but also with its own energy. I used in different countries but the best place to use it in my opinion was Spain. There it made a fusion full if beauty with the precious countryside
Chantelle
May 3, 2015 at 10:38 amI have never owned a Hermes fragrance but this sounds absolutely gorgeous!
Elisa Panjang
May 3, 2015 at 10:36 amNever tried this one but I’d love to try new fragrance!
maram saleh
May 3, 2015 at 10:34 ami haven’t never worn
paulina
May 3, 2015 at 10:33 amnever tried Hermes as they are a bit price but would love to
Rhonda
May 3, 2015 at 10:33 amI have not tried Hermes perfume .would love the chance,
onegreatsmile
May 3, 2015 at 10:32 amI’ve not had the luxury of wearing Hermes. There’s a first time for everything! This sounds exquisite.
Jorine Dams
May 3, 2015 at 10:32 amNo, I didn’t worn 1 yet
ann thompson
May 3, 2015 at 10:32 amNever had the pleasure to use but would love to try.
Dale Rodberg
May 3, 2015 at 10:32 amI have never tried Hermes. I don’t live near a mall where I can do that, but I would love to win this contest. Thanks for the opportunity for this contest, Dave!
Piyusha Pilania
May 3, 2015 at 10:27 amNo I haven’t tried yet…but want to try now…hope to win this 🙂
Anastasia K.
May 3, 2015 at 10:26 amno, I’ve never worn one.
Ann
May 3, 2015 at 6:50 amYes I have. Un Jardin Sur le Nil, Hiris and Caleche. Would love to try this new scent.
Joanna Venetis
May 2, 2015 at 8:05 pmIf I win, this will be my first Hermes 🙂
Monica
May 2, 2015 at 7:52 pmI’ve never worn or owned a hermes perfume, but would love to!
Heather Sibley
May 2, 2015 at 7:17 pmNo, I’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance. @sibley_h
Leon Daibu
May 2, 2015 at 1:39 pml had Bel Ami Vetiver.
@LeonDaibu
Elena B.
May 2, 2015 at 8:44 amNope, not yet, but maybe I am lucky this time 🙂
Radmila
May 2, 2015 at 8:06 amkelly caleche because of the leather note
sassy
May 2, 2015 at 2:34 amI have and I love Paprika Brasil 🙂
Sara
May 1, 2015 at 6:26 pmI’ve never worn one.
@fashionsprose
Marilyn
May 1, 2015 at 5:41 pmNo I’ve never worn Hermes perfume. Never knew they had it, it’s always about their scarves!