Jean-Claude Ellena

Jean-Claude Ellena breathes talent. King parfumeur of the Hermès empire. Originally from Grasse, he is the son of a parfumeur who in his childhood fell into the boiling pot of aromas. He has transformed himself into a writer for Iconofly in the time of a novella. His rights to scents are worth a fortune. His main influence? The famous Edmond Roudnitska, creator of ‘Eau d’Hermès‘, first produced in 1951. His last masterpiece? The perfume for men ‘Terre d'Hermès‘ with aromas of pepper, cedar, vetiver, flint and geranium.

First memories
One day my father offered me his own briefcase. I was in Middle Section at school. I had a feeling of pride, I thought with this new accessory I was going to understand everything. No way. I remember its soft smell, tender and rough. It was in supple calfskin, dark ochre, and worn.

First feelings
I have always kept briefcases in which to stuff everything and avoid the rigidity of the suitcase. I love softness and suppleness. So I prefer calfskin to oxhide. The smell and texture of leather is feminity for me. However, one often thinks of it as a raw material, therefore masculine. This is because hides are often treated with smells from the smoke of silver birch. But in its primal state leather is far more floral than we think. Less tannic with odours of mimosa and acacia.

Final desires
The bag will endure because it is an indicator of personality. Our female politicians have sufficiently proved this. And we men must never forget that women observe what we wear. For themselves, they fantasize over a beautiful hand-bag, that is unique and theirs alone.