The Last Note

In the universe of great perfumers, Jean-Claude Ellena is a star that shines the brightest.

- Caroline D'cruz

It has been over a decade since Jean-Claude Ellena took over as the house perfumer of luxury brand, Hermès. And as he passes on the royal reins he has so delicately preserved over the years, he opens up about life as the ‘nose’ of one of the most iconic brands in the world and his final ode to the brand— Eau de Néroli Doré.

WHY DID YOU PICK THIS PARTICULAR COLOGNE AS YOUR LAST?

In the film The Leopard there’s a scene in which the actor, Burt Lancaster, dabs each earlobe with cologne. The bottle was an authentic period piece as the director, Luchino Visconti, had an eye for detail. The question that I asked myself was what might this eau de cologne smell like? This cologne speaks to men who don’t like to wear a fragrance but want to feel that they look good.

WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE BRAND?

The scent of freedom—that aroma which opens the way for every venture without market constraints imprisoning us in banality. A quintessential Hermès perfume is a style which is reflected in freedom of expression.

WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO TAKE UP THIS LINE OF WORK?

My original influence was my