Jean-Claude Ellena
"Perfume is a language, an invisible script that tells stories."
Jean-Claude Ellena was born in Grasse, the cradle of world perfumery. Fascinated by this world from an early age, he began his career in 1963 at Chiris before training at the Givaudan Perfumery School in Geneva. A forerunner of a minimalist, uncluttered style, his poetic signature has made a name for itself in the world of perfumery.
He worked with a number of leading houses before becoming the exclusive perfumer for Hermès in 2004. For 14 years, he created emblematic fragrances such as Terre d'Hermès, the "Jardins" collection and the Hermès "Colognes". These refined and timeless creations have made him a key figure in the industry.
In 2019, he will leave Hermès and join Le Couvent, where he will oversee a collection of signature fragrances, while training young talent. His work, marked by a quest for balance and simplicity, has earned him international recognition, including his knighthood in the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2011.
At the same time, Jean-Claude Ellena is a prolific author. He explores the art of perfume in books such as Journal d'un parfumeur (2011), L'Écrivain d'odeurs (2017), andAtlas de Botanique parfumée (2020). His writings, translated into several languages, reveal his sensitive and introspective vision of his profession.
A visionary creator and passionate writer, Jean-Claude Ellena leaves a rich and inspiring legacy, elegantly linking the worlds of olfaction and literature.
