Terre d’Hermès, Eau Très Fraîche, a scent that carries you far away, very far away. The story of Hermès is that of a saddler turned leather goods maker then perfumer. It was Thierry Hermès who founded the house of the same name in 1837. The house of Hermès quickly made a name for itself in the world of luxury equestrian goods.
Released in 2014, “Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” follows the triumph of “Terre d’Hermès” released in 2000. If “Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” is as close to nature as its predecessor, it aims, as its name indicates, to be much fresher. Also lighter and more mysterious, “Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” remains a true olfactory narrative around raw materials and their transformation. “Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” is a new reinterpretation of the elements, chiefly through water that is as bold as it is impertinent.
Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche, Jean-Claude Ellena imagines a revisit of his great success
Born in Grasse in 1947, Jean-Claude Ellena was the official perfumer of the Hermès brand until his retirement in 2016. It is perfumer Christine Nagel who now carries on his work within the Hermès brand. His first creation, “First” for Van Cleef & Arpels in 1976, propelled him into the spotlight. Jean-Claude Ellena is a very discreet, simple and humble man. For him, the secret is not to smell, it is to have memory. Jean-Claude Ellena is a perfumer who favors simple, pared-down formulas. Jean-Claude Ellena recently wrote a book, “L’écrivain d’odeurs,” which traces his life and experience. He is behind magnificent fragrances such as “Un Jardin sur le Nil, l’Ambre des Merveilles, Kelly Calèche” for Hermès or “Eau de Campagne” for Sisley.
Nature ever-present at the heart of the scent of Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche
“Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” is a scent between earth and sky. It opens with a fresh, vivid citrus accord thanks to orange, grapefruit and lemon, paired with aldehydic notes. The first traces of orange appear 2,200 years ago in China. Introduced to the Middle East by the Arabs, orange reached Sicily in the 11th century. It would nevertheless take until the 15th century for an orange grove to find its place at the Château de Versailles. At first, orange was a precious fruit reserved solely for an elite. Since the end of the Second World War, orange has been the most consumed fruit in the world. In perfumery, orange releases zesty, fruity, sweet and fresh tonalities. Then, the heart of “Terre d’Hermès” evolves toward notes that are both mineral and spicy, lending an incredible contrast. Finally, the base of “Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche” carries oakmoss and vetiver. Native to Asia and India, vetiver has become very famous for its essential oil. Vetiver would not truly be exploited until the mid-20th century. Vetiver forms a very dense tuft of grass. The scent of vetiver offers a restful atmosphere conducive to calm. In perfumery, it is the roots of vetiver that are steam-distilled. The bottle takes up the main codes of its predecessor. It is nevertheless more elongated and refined, revealing a pale pinkish-white color.