Our take
What does Jour d'Hermès Gardenia smell like?
Hermès released Jour d'Hermès Gardenia in May 2015, three years after the original Jour d'Hermès. Jean-Claude Ellena, then the house perfumer, picked up his work on an abstract bouquet. This time gardenia steps forward. The opening is surprisingly green. Galbanum and rhubarb bring the sourness of a cut stem, and aldehydes with a sea note give it air. White flowers then fill the heart. Gardenia and tuberose lead, backed by ylang-ylang and a bright jasmine. Rose stays in the background. Hedione adds the transparency that runs through Ellena's style and keeps the bouquet from turning heady. The base is restrained. White musk, a little vanilla and iris absolute close on a clean skin note. Compared with Robert Piguet's Fracas, this gardenia is greener and far less creamy. It wears like a fresh flower rather than a piece of jewelry.
When to wear it
A spring floral for daytime, at the office or over lunch. Two sprays on the back of the neck are enough to bring it to life.
It belongs to the Floral, Green family. Jour d'Hermès Gardenia is one of 47 creations by Hermès in our encyclopedia.
