Jean-Claude Ellena is a renowned French perfumer known for his minimalist approach and use of high-quality ingredients. He was born in Grasse, France, the perfume capital of the world, in 1947 and began his career in perfumery in 1968. He worked for a number of well-known fragrance houses, including Givaudan, Symrise, and IFF, before being appointed as the in-house perfumer at Hermès in 2004, a position he held until his retirement in 2016.
During his time at Hermès, Ellena created many beloved fragrances, including:
Ellena is known for his approach of using a limited number of high-quality ingredients in his compositions, and for his ability to create fragrances that evoke emotions and memories. He often uses unexpected combinations of notes, such as pairing fresh and fruity with warm and spicy, and aims to create fragrances that are both unique and timeless.
In addition to his work at Hermès, Ellena has also authored several books about perfume, including "The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur" and "Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent". He has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the fragrance industry, including being named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2006.