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Behind the scenes of Hermes fragrance creation: Delve into the creative process behind developing Hermes fragrances

Hermes, the luxury fashion house known for their iconic Birkin bags and silk scarves, also has a lesser-known but equally impressive side to their brand – their fragrances. Since the early 1950s, Hermes has been creating elegant and sophisticated scents that have become beloved by perfume enthusiasts around the world. But what goes on behind the scenes in the creation of these fragrances? Let’s take a peek into the creative process behind developing Hermes fragrances.

The first step in creating a new Hermes fragrance is the inspiration. This can come from a variety of sources such as nature, art, or memories. For instance, the inspiration for the popular fragrance, Terre d’Hermes, came from Jean-Claude Ellena’s (the former in-house perfumer of Hermes) trip to the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria. He was struck by the earthy and mineral-rich landscape, which ultimately led to the creation of the scent.

Once the idea for a fragrance is established, the perfumer begins to work on the composition. At Hermes, this process is a collaborative effort between the perfumer and the artistic director of the brand. Each fragrance is seen as a piece of art and is given the same attention and care as the brand’s fashion collections. The perfumer works closely with the artistic director to ensure that the scent aligns with the brand’s image and aesthetic.

The perfumer then begins to source the ingredients for the fragrance. Hermes is known for using high-quality and rare ingredients in their perfumes, often sourced from all over the world. For example, the signature ingredient in the iconic fragrance, Eau d’Hermes, is a specific type of jasmine that can only be found in India.

Once the ingredients are gathered, the perfumer starts to create different variations of the fragrance, known as accords. These are different combinations of scents that are blended together to create the desired scent. The perfumer also has to consider the longevity and sillage (the trail that the scent leaves behind) of the fragrance when creating these accords.

After several rounds of testing and adjustments, the perfumer and artistic director select the final composition for the fragrance. This is then sent to a team of experts who will test the scent for stability and make any necessary modifications. Once the fragrance is approved, it is then bottled and packaged in the iconic Hermes style.

But the creation process doesn’t stop there. Hermes takes great care in the presentation of their fragrances, often collaborating with renowned artists and designers for the packaging. For example, the limited edition fragrance, Le Jardin de Monsieur Li, featured a bottle designed by Chinese artist Li Hongbo, inspired by traditional Chinese lanterns.

The final step in the creation process is the launch of the fragrance. Hermes takes a subtle and understated approach to promoting their scents, often relying on word of mouth and loyal customers to spread the word. This helps to maintain the exclusivity and luxury associated with the brand.

In conclusion, the creation of Hermes fragrances is a meticulous and artistic process that involves a team of experts and a deep understanding of the brand’s identity. From the initial inspiration to the final launch, every step is carefully thought out and executed, resulting in unique and timeless scents that have become synonymous with the Hermes name.