Since 2009, Hermès has taken on the graceful reinvention of the original authentic Eau de Cologne – a mixture of essential oils and almost pure alcohol that gives off a timeless aura. The brand has taken on this exercise in scent without hitting a false note, ever since the 1930s. Within the Hermès perfume library, each creation tells a story and opens a new imaginary realm. The brand fancies free spirits and dreamers, just like Jean-Claude Ellena and Christine Nagel, recently named Creative Director.
Today, the brand is expanding its collection with Eau de Néroli Doré and Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate, the sixth and seventh essences respectively imagined for the Cologne category. To pay homage to his native Mediterranean in all its history, sun, and spices, Jean-Claude Ellena chose to work with neroli, an essence extracted from orange blossom. Since each scent has an underlying story, neroli oil was named after the Princess of Nerola, a 17th century Italian princess who was known to perfume her gloves with it.
But in the hands of Jean-Claude Ellena, this scent is now becoming Eau de Néroli Doré, a nectar that quite simply makes you want to smile. The perfumer reflects this gaiety in every way within the choice of floral and Mediterranean effluviums, punctuated by saffron. These effluviums are jarring, just like the color of the liquid itself; Hermès thus takes advantage of this occasion to release Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate. This time the scent was imagined by Christine Nagel. Creative and Olfactory Heritage Director for Hermès Parfums since January 2016, she’s unveiling a brand new vision of Cologne. A surprising freshness emanating from an herbaceous plant that emancipates itself from the classic hesperides, it’s an acidic and carnal Cologne that dazzles in its scarlet red flask.
These two olfactory adventures are ready to be embarked on now.
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