Jean-Claude Ellena

Jean-Claude Ellena is a French perfumer and writer, born in Grasse, France, in 1947. He began his career in the perfume industry as an apprentice at the factory of the essential oil maker Antoine Chiris in Grasse at the age of 16. Ellena later became the first student at the newly formed perfumery school of Givaudan in Geneva, Switzerland, and has worked for several major perfume houses, including Hermès, The Different Company, and Givaudan.

Ellena has been profoundly influenced by pioneering perfumer Edmond Roudnitska, particularly in his article "Advice to a Young Perfumer." He is also the founding member of the Osmothèque, an international scent archive based in Versailles.

From 2004 to 2016, Ellena was Hermès's exclusive in-house perfumer, during which time he created the Hermèssence collection, exclusively available in Hermès stores. He has also created fragrances for other brands, including The Different Company, which he founded before joining Hermès.

In 2019, Ellena became the exclusive Olfactory Creation Director of Le Couvent – Maison de Parfum, where he created a contemporary Haute Parfumerie collection made from noble and rare natural materials, 100% vegan. Ellena has written several books, including "The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur."

Jean-Claude Ellena has created many iconic perfumes throughout his career, but some of the most popular ones include:

• Terre d'Hermès: This woody, spicy fragrance for men was launched in 2006 and has become a modern classic. It features notes of grapefruit, pepper, vetiver, and cedar.

• Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert: Bulgari's signature unisex scent, this fresh and invigorating fragrance is centered around green tea and citrus notes. It was originally launched in 1992 and has since been updated with the release of Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert Extrême.

• Un Jardin en Méditerranée: This fresh and sunny fragrance is part of Hermès' "Jardin" series, inspired by gardens around the world. Un Jardin en Méditerranée captures the essence of a Mediterranean garden with notes of fig, orange blossom, and cedar.

• First: Van Cleef & Arpels' signature fragrance for women, First was launched in 1976 and has since become a classic. It's a floral aldehyde scent with jasmine, rose, and narcissus notes.

• Rose Ikebana: Part of Hermès' exclusive Hermèssence collection, Rose Ikebana is a delicate and elegant floral fragrance featuring notes of rose, raspberry, and musk.

• L'Eau d'Ambre: This warm and spicy fragrance from L'Artisan Parfumeur features amber, vanilla, and patchouli notes. It's a unisex scent that's perfect for fall and winter.

• Déclaration: Cartier's signature scent for men, Déclaration is a fresh and spicy fragrance featuring notes of bergamot, cardamom, and cedar. It was launched in 1998 and has become a modern classic.

• Osmanthe Yunnan: Another fragrance from Hermès' Hermèssence collection, Osmanthe Yunnan is a soft and fruity scent featuring notes of osmanthus, tea, and apricot. It's a delicate and feminine fragrance that's perfect for spring and summer.

• Bois d'Iris: The Different Company's Bois d'Iris is a woody and powdery fragrance featuring iris, cedar, and vetiver notes. It's a unisex scent that's both elegant and modern.

• Ambre Narguilé: Another fragrance from Hermès' Hermèssence collection, Ambre Narguilé is a warm and cozy scent featuring notes of apple, cinnamon, and vanilla. It's a perfect fragrance for fall and winter.

   

Among the latest fragrances that Jean-Claude Ellena has composed are several notable ones. One is Aqua Mahana, a unisex perfume created for Le Couvent Maison de Parfum in 2022. Another is Arancia Rossa, a unisex perfume created for Laboratorio Olfattivo in 2022.

In addition, Ellena also created several fragrances for Le Couvent Maison de Parfum in 2021, including Tuberosa, Ambra, and Mimosa. These are all unisex perfumes that have received positive reviews from perfume enthusiasts.

Finally, Ellena has also created two fragrances for Laboratorio Olfattivo in 2021: Limone and Bergamotto.

Jean-Claude Ellena is a masterful perfumer whose passion for fragrance has made him one of the most celebrated names in the perfume industry. With a career spanning over five decades, Ellena has created numerous iconic fragrances for some of the world's leading perfume houses, including Hermès, Cartier, and L'Artisan Parfumeur. His unique approach to scent composition, which emphasizes the use of natural materials and a minimalist aesthetic, has earned him a loyal following among perfume enthusiasts. Ellena's commitment to preserving the history and culture of fragrance has also led him to found the Osmothèque. This international scent archive is dedicated to preserving and documenting the heritage of perfumery. With his unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and creativity, Jean-Claude Ellena continues to inspire and captivate perfume lovers around the world.