Jean-Claude Ellena

Jean-Claude Ellena is a world-renowned French perfumer known for his minimalist style and elegant fragrances. Born in 1947 in Grasse, a center of the perfume industry, Ellena was surrounded by fragrances from an early age as his father was also a perfumer.

Ellena began his career in the perfume industry as an apprentice at a small company in Grasse, before gaining wider experience at companies such as Givaudan and later Sisley. His breakthrough came in the 1970s when he began working for major fashion and perfume brands.

One of his most famous roles was as head house perfumer for Hermès from 2004 to 2016. During his time at Hermès, he created many of the house's iconic fragrances, including “Terre d'Hermès”, “Un Jardin sur le Nil” and many others from the “Un Jardin” series. These fragrances are particularly known for their fresh and transparent quality, which bears Ellena's signature.

Ellena's approach to perfumery has often been described as intellectual and highly creative. He is known for using a limited number of ingredients to create very clear and precise fragrances, often inspired by nature and personal memories. His work is characterized by a high attention to detail and a strong emphasis on the art of fragrance composition.

Jean-Claude Ellena has also written several books on perfumery in which he shares his philosophy and techniques, including “Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent” and “The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Perfumer”. These publications offer insight into his creative process and his view of the world of fragrance.

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