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 essential oil producer Antoine Chiris in Grasse at the age of 16. Ellena later became the first student at the newly founded Givaudan perfumery school in Geneva, Switzerland, and worked for several major perfume houses, including Hermès, The Different Company, and Givaudan.
Ellena was deeply influenced by perfumery pioneer Edmond Roudnitska, particularly his article "Advice to a Young Perfumer." She is also a founding member of the Osmothèque, an international fragrance archive based in Versailles.
From 2004 to 2016, Ellena was the exclusive in-house perfumer for Hermès, during which time she created the Hermèssence collection, available exclusively in Hermès boutiques. She also created fragrances for other brands, including The Different Company, which she founded before joining Hermès.
In 2019, Ellena became the exclusive Olfactory Creation Director of Le Couvent – Maison de Parfum, where she created a contemporary Haute Parfumerie collection made with noble and rare natural raw materials and 100% vegan. Ellena has written several books, including "The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Perfumer."
Jean-Claude Ellena has created many iconic perfumes throughout his career, but some of the most popular include:
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Terre d'Hermès: This woody and spicy fragrance for men was launched in 2006 and has become a modern classic. It features notes of grapefruit, pepper, vetiver, and cedar.
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Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert: Bulgari's signature unisex fragrance, this fresh and invigorating fragrance focuses on notes of green tea and citrus. It was originally launched in 1992 and was updated with the release of Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert Extrême.
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Un Jardin en Méditerranée: This fresh and sunny fragrance is part of the 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.
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First: Van Cleef & Arpels' signature fragrance for women, First was launched in 1976 and has since become a classic. It is a floral aldehyde fragrance with notes of jasmine, rose, and narcissus.
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Rose Ikebana: Part of the exclusive Hermèssence collection by Hermès, Rose Ikebana is a delicate and elegant floral fragrance with notes of rose, raspberry and musk.
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L'Eau d'Ambre: This warm and spicy fragrance from L'Artisan Parfumeur features notes of amber, vanilla, and patchouli. It's a unisex fragrance perfect for fall and winter.
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Déclaration: Cartier's signature fragrance for men, Déclaration is a fresh and spicy fragrance with notes of bergamot, cardamom, and cedar. It was launched in 1998 and has become a modern classic.
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Osmanthe Yunnan: Another fragrance from the Hermès Hermèssence collection, Osmanthe Yunnan is a soft and fruity fragrance with notes of osmanthus, tea, and apricot. It's a delicate and feminine fragrance perfect for spring and summer.
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Bois d'Iris: Bois d'Iris by The Different Company is a woody and chypre fragrance with notes of iris, cedar, and vetiver. It's a unisex fragrance that's both elegant and modern.
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Ambre Narguilé: Another fragrance from the Hermèssence collection by Hermès, Ambre Narguilé is a warm and enveloping fragrance with notes of apple, cinnamon, and vanilla. It's a perfect scent for fall and winter.
Among the latest fragrances Jean-Claude Ellena has composed are several noteworthy. 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.
Additionally, Ellena created several fragrances for Le Couvent Maison de Parfum in 2021, including Tuberosa, Ambra, and Mimosa. These are all unisex fragrances that have received positive reviews from perfume enthusiasts.
Finally, Ellena also created two fragrances for Laboratorio Olfattivo in 2021: Limone and Bergamotto.
Jean-Claude Ellena is a master 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 olfactory composition, emphasizing the use of natural raw materials and a minimalist aesthetic, has earned him a loyal following among perfume enthusiasts. Ellena's commitment to preserving the history and culture of perfume also led him to found the Osmothèque. This international fragrance 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.