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
Bernadette
May 3, 2015 at 2:01 pmNever but would love to try! Thanks Fave!
wendy butcher
May 3, 2015 at 1:52 pmI have never tried it but would love to.
Maureen
May 3, 2015 at 1:52 pmNo, I have not but am keeping my fingers crossed so that I can.
Amelia Manickam
May 3, 2015 at 1:46 pmI’m ecstatic about his contest. I’ve never worn Hermes fragrances before but I’ve heard great things!! @aameliaM
luis horacio
May 3, 2015 at 1:44 pmI have personally never worn an Hermès fragrance but I know it’s a prestigeous brand.
Dana Nelson
May 3, 2015 at 1:41 pmI’ve never worn a Hermes fragrance, this will be my first! @luckynaynay
Leanne Humberstone
May 3, 2015 at 1:41 pmI’ve never tried an Hermès fragrance but I would love to!
@sincerelyannet
May 3, 2015 at 1:34 pmI have worn Hermes Kelly Caleche.
BlackAsphodel
May 3, 2015 at 1:28 pmNo, I haven’t even heard of the brand.
BlackAsphodel
May 3, 2015 at 1:28 pmTwitter: @BlackAsphodel
Carl Watkins
May 3, 2015 at 1:24 pmI sure haven’t and to my knowledge my wife hasn’t.
Prajna Kumar
May 3, 2015 at 1:23 pmI never havee! I would love to!
Anthony Harrington
May 3, 2015 at 1:07 pmno, never tried Hermes the Chinese Garden sounds interesting!
debra
May 3, 2015 at 1:07 pmI have never worn but would love to try.
Anu Liza Thomas
May 3, 2015 at 12:59 pmWell I”ve never won or used Hermes fragrance. Your description and the cutey bottle is to die for…!!
Liz Slade
May 3, 2015 at 12:59 pmI’ve never had the pleasure unfortunately, but I do have a beautiful Hermes silk scarf (charity shop treasure)
Laura Nye
May 3, 2015 at 12:46 pmI would love to try this
@lauranye570
lenoc
May 3, 2015 at 12:35 pmI have never worn Hermes fragrance:((
Claire Duffie
May 3, 2015 at 12:18 pmI have worn Hermes & loved it! Would love the chance to try a different fragrance by him! 😉
Rosemarie Middleton
May 3, 2015 at 12:14 pmI have never worn a Hermes fragrance but would love to try it xx @rosiecupcake14z
Gloria
May 3, 2015 at 12:10 pmI too have never owned or tired. But would relish in the opportunity.
amy
May 3, 2015 at 11:43 amI never have worn Hermes, but would love to try it. @amyslayer
Emilia
May 3, 2015 at 11:41 amNo I have not, closest reality I had to Hermes fragrance was in the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, drop dead gorgeous experience.
Susan T.
May 3, 2015 at 11:40 amI have never tried an Hermes fragrance but I have had my eye on the Jardin line. This one sounds so perfect! I can’t imagine anything smelling more like Spring than a Chinese garden!
Manuel Vizcaya
May 3, 2015 at 11:37 amI have personally never worn an Hermès fragrance but I know it’s a prestigeous brand.
Sandy Trojansek
May 3, 2015 at 11:36 amI have never worn a Hermes fragrance. First time for everything!