It all began in 2003, when the house of Hermès asked Jean-Claude Ellena, its official perfumer, to create a pared-down fragrance, in the same vein as the previous Eau d'Orange Verte. This is how the very first Jardin d'Hermès came to be. At that time, it was a unisex fragrance inspired by the Mediterranean. Since then, however, this saga has grown considerably. In 2022, the tradition continues and a new arrival joins the Hermès lineup: Un Jardin à Cythère.
Un Jardin en Méditerranée, Un Jardin Après la Mousson, Un Jardin sur la Lagune, Un Jardin sur le Nil… All these fragrances are unisex juices that owe their existence to the house of Hermès. What is more, they are all inspired by the eaux de Cologne of the past, while also drawing on the authentic spirit of a garden somewhere in the world. These enchanted interludes transport us in an instant to a distant elsewhere. With them, time stands still and only the intoxication of the senses matters. Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès completes this collection and draws its source from a Greek island. Let us see what this extraordinary garden is composed of this time…
The fresh opening of citrus
Un Jardin à Cythère is a fragrance intended for men and women alike. Both sexes, however, share an appreciation for freshness. This is why citrus notes so often make up the top notes of fragrances, regardless of gender. What is more, their zesty breath is unquestionably anchored in collective memory. Indeed, for a very long time, men and women only wore eaux de Cologne. Yet these fragrances were above all known for their freshness. This is also the element found in Un Jardin à Cythère. It releases an instant brightness. It is a concentrate of vitality to be enjoyed daily, which also makes it a very pleasant fragrance to wear in summer.
Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès builds on a pistachio heart
Un Jardin à Cythère is not truly a garden in the strict sense. Indeed, it is structured around neither a green heart nor a floral one. Instead, it opts for a blond character, like the scent one would readily give to grass warmed by the sun. This is brought about by an enveloping, warm ingredient: pistachio. Half-sweet, half-salty, it is also green and resinous. Thus, thanks to its richness and its many facets, it is an ingredient highly valued by perfumers. Gourmand to a delightful degree while also being aromatic, it belongs to no particular gender, which makes it an ideal raw material for this fragrance.
Olive wood to structure the Hermès fragrance
Finally, even though Un Jardin à Cythère preserves the fresh, citrus character of eaux de Cologne, one should not forget that it is not truly one of them. Thus, unlike those fragrances of the past, Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès concludes with a more woody persistence and a more pronounced tenacity. Although airy, this is a unisex fragrance that is not lacking in character, and this can be felt in its final notes of olive wood. Moreover, what better ingredient than this one to embody its distinctly Mediterranean spirit?
So wait no longer to treat yourself to this journey at the heart of the Peloponnese. Pack your bags: Christine Nagel, official perfumer of Hermès, takes you to Greece!