Jean-Claude Ellena
Encyclopedia
Jean-Claude Ellena is a perfumer or "nose." He has the business and practice of perfumery in his blood. At an early age, he picked roses with his grandmother to sell to perfumers, and, in fact, his father, brother, and daughter are perfumers. (3)
Beginning with menial jobs, he became an apprentice at the essential-oils maker Antoine Chiris factory in Grasse at the age 16, on the night shift. He has reminisced, “Among other essential oils, we made a lot of oakmoss, and after I’d put the distiller on, I’d lie down on a bed of it and sleep.” (1)
In 1968, he became the first student at what-was-at-the-time the newly formed perfumery school of Givaudan, one of the oldest perfume factories, in Geneva, although he attended only nine months of the three-year course and went on to work for Givaudan in Dübendorf, Switzerland, as a perfumer. He apprenticed under Maurice Thiboud and worked at Haarmaan & Reimer in Nördlingen, Germany (which merged in 2003 with Dragoco to form Symrise). (3)
Ellena has been profoundly influenced by perfumer Edmond Roudnitska
, particularly by an article, “Advice to a Young Perfumer,” by Roudnitska in a magazine article given to him by his father. (3)
Known for his ubiquitous white shirts, Ellena himself never wears perfume or cologne.
From 2004, he has been Hermès
's exclusive in-house perfumer, appointed by Jean-Louis Dumas
and Véronique Gautier. He has created fragrances for several major perfume houses including The Different Company
, which he founded before joining Hermès. His daughter Céline Ellena now creates for The Different Company.
In 2005, Ellena created Un Jardin sur le Nil for Hermès. The story behind the creation of this fragrance was the subject of the book The Perfect Scent: A Year in the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York by Chandler Burr
. (2) In addition, the story in a limited form and accounts of other scents as well as his autobiography has been published in Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent. (3)
Beginning with menial jobs, he became an apprentice at the essential-oils maker Antoine Chiris factory in Grasse at the age 16, on the night shift. He has reminisced, “Among other essential oils, we made a lot of oakmoss, and after I’d put the distiller on, I’d lie down on a bed of it and sleep.” (1)
In 1968, he became the first student at what-was-at-the-time the newly formed perfumery school of Givaudan, one of the oldest perfume factories, in Geneva, although he attended only nine months of the three-year course and went on to work for Givaudan in Dübendorf, Switzerland, as a perfumer. He apprenticed under Maurice Thiboud and worked at Haarmaan & Reimer in Nördlingen, Germany (which merged in 2003 with Dragoco to form Symrise). (3)
Ellena has been profoundly influenced by perfumer Edmond Roudnitska
Edmond Roudnitska
Edmond Roudnitska was a French master perfumer and author. He is known for creating some of the most famous perfumes in the world, such as Dior's Eau Sauvage and Diorissimo, and Rochas's Femme. Many of his creations are still in production today. He was the father of perfumer Michel Roudnitska.In...
, particularly by an article, “Advice to a Young Perfumer,” by Roudnitska in a magazine article given to him by his father. (3)
Known for his ubiquitous white shirts, Ellena himself never wears perfume or cologne.
From 2004, he has been Hermès
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837, today specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear...
's exclusive in-house perfumer, appointed by Jean-Louis Dumas
Jean-Louis Dumas
Jean-Louis Dumas was a French businessman who served as the chairman of the Hermès group from 1978 until 2006. He also served as the company's artistic director. Dumas is credited with turning Hermès into a global luxury brand during his tenure as chairman.Dumas' family founded Hermès in 1837...
and Véronique Gautier. He has created fragrances for several major perfume houses including The Different Company
The Different Company
The Different Company is a luxury perfume house based in Paris, France. Its products are available worldwide in boutiques and concept stores. It was established in 2000 by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena and Thierry de Baschmakoff, art director. Since 2005, all fragrances have been created by Céline...
, which he founded before joining Hermès. His daughter Céline Ellena now creates for The Different Company.
In 2005, Ellena created Un Jardin sur le Nil for Hermès. The story behind the creation of this fragrance was the subject of the book The Perfect Scent: A Year in the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York by Chandler Burr
Chandler Burr
Chandler Burr is an American journalist, author, and museum curator. Since December 2010 he has been curator of olfactory art at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City....
. (2) In addition, the story in a limited form and accounts of other scents as well as his autobiography has been published in Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent. (3)
For Frédéric Malle
- Angéliques sous la Pluie (2000)
- Cologne Bigarade (2001)
- Bigarade Concentrée (2002)
- L'Eau d'Hiver (2003)
For Hermès
- Hermèssence collection (exclusively in Hermès stores)
- Rocabar (1998), with Gilles Romney and Bernard Bourgeois
- Un Jardin en Méditerranée (2003)
- Un Jardin sur le Nil (2005)
- Elixir des Merveilles (2006)
- Terre d'Hermès (2006)
- Kelly Calèche (2007)
- Un Jardin après la Mousson (2008)
- Eau de Gentiane Blanche (2009)
- Eau de Pamplemousse Rose (2009)
- Eau Claire des Merveilles (2010)
- Voyage d'Hermès (2010)
- Un Jardin sur le Toit (2011)
For L'Artisan Parfumeur
- L'Eau d'Ambre (1978)
- La Haie Fleurie du Hameau (1982)
- Ambre Extrême (2001)
- Bois Farine (2003)
For The Different Company
- Bois d’Iris (2000)
- Osmanthus (2001)
- Rose Poivrée (2001)
- Devine Bergamote (2003)
Others
- Eau de Campagne (1974), for SisleySisleySisley may refer to:*Alfred Sisley, a French impressionist painter of English origin*Sisley, a Benetton Group brand, established in 1974*Sisley Paris, , a French cosmetics company founded in Paris in 1976 by Roland de Saint Vincent and Jean Francois Laporte, before being taken over by the famous...
- Rumba (1988), with Ron Winnegrad, for BalenciagaBalenciagaBalenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
- Globe (1990), for RochasRochasRochas is a fashion, beauty, and perfume house founded in 1925 by french designer Marcel Rochas, born in 1902 and died in 1955, first designer of 2/3-length coats and skirts with pockets...
- Déclaration (1998), for CartierCartier SACartier S.A., commonly known as Cartier , is a French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer. The corporation carries the name of the Cartier family of jewellers whose control ended in 1964 and who were known for numerous pieces including the "Bestiary" , the diamond necklace created for Bhupinder...
- In Love Again (1998), for Yves Saint Laurent
- Aromantic (1999), for Decléor
- Bazar Femme (2002), with Bertrand DuchaufourBertrand DuchaufourBertrand Duchaufour is a French perfumer who trained at the Lautier Florasynth group in Grasse while also working at Florasynth Paris and Créations Aromatiques . From 2008, he has been L'Artisan Parfumeur's perfumer 'in residence'...
& Emilie Copperman, for Christian LacroixChristian LacroixChristian Marie Marc Lacroix is a French fashion designer. The name may also refer to the company he founded.-Early life:Lacroix was born in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône in southern France. At a young age he began sketching historical costumes and fashions. Lacroix graduated from high school in 1969... - Blanc (2003), for Paul & Joe
- Colonia Assoluta (2003), with Bertrand DuchaufourBertrand DuchaufourBertrand Duchaufour is a French perfumer who trained at the Lautier Florasynth group in Grasse while also working at Florasynth Paris and Créations Aromatiques . From 2008, he has been L'Artisan Parfumeur's perfumer 'in residence'...
, for Acqua di ParmaAcqua di ParmaAcqua di Parma is an Italian perfume company which produces a lightly scented fragrance.-History:It was founded in 1916 and began in the city of Parma in a small perfume factory and was used up until the '30s and '40s in Europe. The brand was revived in the 1990s, financed by Tod's owner Diego... - Emporio Armani Night for Her (2003), with Lucas Sieuzac, for Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...
- Eau de Lalique, with Emilie Copperman, for Lalique
- Amouage Dia pour Femme, for Amouage
External links
- The Different Company - official website
- Chandler Burr, "Scent of the Nile: Jean-Claude Ellena creates a new perfume", New Yorker, 15 March 2005.
- Amouage Perfumes - official website