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.
It was in 2003 that the house of Hermès gave birth to its first Jardin. It was then a Jardin en Méditerranée. This offered an escape as fresh as it was sun-drenched at the heart of the Mediterranean, not far from the Middle East. Many other creations followed. Today, the Jardins d'Hermès form an iconic collection, which continues to grow year after year. In 2022, it is joined by Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès. So, what about this journey at the heart of the Peloponnese? Here is our review.
Olfastory’s review
Un Jardin à Cythère, a unisex fragrance, perfectly attuned to its time
Like all the fragrances in the Jardins d'Hermès collection, Un Jardin à Cythère is intended for men and women alike. More than ever, this makes it a fragrance that is fully in step with its time. Indeed, in our era, genders are increasingly blending together. Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès thus champions androgyny. It is much more than a fragrance. It is a symbol of sharing between the two sexes, regardless of the culture, generation and background of those who wear it.
Hermès dares to create a puzzling garden
Although belonging to the Jardins d'Hermès collection, this fragrance does not clearly resemble a garden. Indeed, it is neither green nor floral. Hermès describes it instead as a “blond”, sun-kissed fragrance. With Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès, everything begins with the fresh scent of citrus. Then, this burst of liveliness is carried forward by a more tender pistachio heart. Gradually, Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès gains in persistence through contact with olive wood. This is also, incidentally, how it fully distinguishes itself from traditional eaux de Cologne.
When the sun floods the bottle of Jardin à Cythère by Hermès
As for the bottle, however, Hermès opts for a more traditional approach. Indeed, the house chose to reclaim its emblematic bottle. As a reminder, this is inspired by a carriage lantern. Hermès has always been deeply attached to the world of travel. It is therefore also a nod to its history, now enhanced with a sublime yellow gradient, evoking the sun-kissed spirit it contains.
With Un Jardin à Cythère, artists take center stage
Finally, let us conclude with the purely cultural and artistic dimension of this fragrance. Indeed, Cythera is an island that has always deeply inspired creativity. It has already attracted numerous painters and poets throughout its history. It was therefore only natural for Hermès to also call upon several artists to design its fragrance. First of all, Un Jardin à Cythère by Hermès is the work of one of the greatest perfumers of our time: the talented Christine Nagel. The bottle of Jardin à Cythère, for its part, was designed by Fred Rawyler, who has collaborated with Hermès both in the world of bottle design and in the creation of watches, as well as the design of several silk scarves. The cardboard packaging, meanwhile, proudly bears a drawing signed by Elias Kafouros, a Greek artist who has also worked with the house on several occasions.