Hermes le jardin de monsieur review năm 2024

At the Paris launch of his fifth ‘garden’ scent for Hermès – which he refused to concede would be his last – Jean-Claude Ellena stated that Le Jardin De Monsieur Li is probably more abstract than the first entry in the series, 2003’s Un Jardin En Mediterranée. This tension between the concrete and the imagined is perhaps the best way into a reading of his latest creation. Yes, in olfactory terms, it would appear to be much less rooted in the real world than the fig accord at the centre of the 2003 composition. But, unlike all of the other gardens, its name begins with the definite article: it isn’t just a garden, it is the garden. Then again, its owner, the eponymous Monsieur Li is a fictional construct… although his name happens to be the most commonly occurring moniker in China. The abstract is grafted onto the literal, only to produce metaphorical shoots. It’s a concern which seems to have preoccupied Ellena in recent years, not least in Jour D’Hermès, whose purpose was to evoke a bouquet of flowers without identifying any specific blooms.

In Monsieur Li, the result of all this flitting in and out of the looking glass is a characteristically quiet, reflective, yet extremely long-lasting Ellena watercolour. It starts with a citrus note, bergamot-like with its pepperiness, but sharper and aligned more closely with yuzu. It’s sugary too, albeit in a muted fashion; this isn’t the lip-smacking, more-ish opening of Cologne Bigarade or Eau De Mandarine Ambrée, although, in its precise handling of its subject, it proves yet again that no-one does citrus quite like Ellena.

Then comes the floral segment. The marketing machine and, indeed, the perfumer himself, would have us believe that this consists mainly of jasmine. I’m not entirely convinced. For one thing, it isn’t the least bit indolic – when I pointed this out to Ellena, he chuckled and said, “That’s because there is no indole in it” – and for another, it isn’t especially heady. But if it’s supposed to symbolise white blossoms wafting down the breeze on a dewy morning, then fine, it does the job well. Like so much about this curious piece of work, the so-called jasmine is illusory rather than tangible.

Finally, Monsieur Li springs a surprise. After his kumquats and his delicate petals, he gives us a restrained, buttery, creamy sandalwood. It’s smooth, intimate and more than a little sweet. And yet somehow, although its embrace is familiar, it also carries a sense of ‘the other’, holding its charms at a slight remove from the wearer.

Is this sugary conclusion meant to be an abstract commentary on some enigmatic aspect of oriental garden-keeping? I’m not sure. But it does remind me that when Ellena was describing the research visits he made to China for this fragrance, he was intrigued and amused to discover that jasmine is sometimes used as an ingredient in confections. Maybe that’s what he was getting at with this scent. Yes, the landscape it paints is suffused with a subtle sense of strangeness, but perhaps all of that abstraction comes down to a simple, unashamedly concrete notion: the desire for a little treat. It’s a possibility as charming as the perfume itself.

The Tatler team tries out Hermes' new shared fragrance the Le Jardin De Monsieur Li, inspired by a crisp bamboo garden and here is what we thought. 

Most unisex fragrances sit in the citrusy spectrum of scents but in an unexpected move, Hermes has chosen to base its newest shared fragrance, the ‘Le Jardin De Monsieur Li’, on a garden.

It’s not just any garden either. Hermes is looking, in particular, at a Chinese bamboo garden metaphorically belonging to a Monsieur Li, sprung from somewhere between reality and the imagination.

The result is a fresh, green olfactory that brings to mind an invigorating spring morning accompanied by jasmine flowers, plum trees, kumquats and giant bamboos. The combination hence is just floral and crisp enough for the ladies, while maintaining enough musk and woodiness for the gentlemen.

We got a few of us from the Tatler team to try it out and here is what they thought.

“It’s manly but not overpoweringly musky, which I like. The scent is very pleasing, being slightly floral, so it makes me feel fresh wearing it since it’s not too strong and overpowers everything else. I feel it’s a very balanced scent, being just the right point of bitter and sweet. I love it that it diminishes gradually, staying on long enough to leave me feeling fresh when I need it.”

-- Allan Casal, Art Director

"It's very suitable for day-time use, with a very youthful exuberance. It's slightly spicy, not entirely floral, so it's not too feminine. I would wear this out on weekends when I'm out with friends. It's perfect for when I don't need something too heavy. It is fresh, mild, and certainly smells and feel very young."

-- Jean Goon, Digital Director

"The first note that I get is that it’s very fresh. As it settles, it becomes, a little spicy. Overall, it’s very exotic. It doesn’t bring to mind a floral garden, it makes me think more of a herb garden. It’s a very unique scent -- it's a little masculine which I like because I prefer scents that are stronger in character. I’m not big on sweet scents. It’s not overly feminine, I can certainly see both men and women liking this scent."

-- Dian Pasquinal Kaur, Digital Editor

“It’s mild which makes it a really pleasant scent for everyday use. I like it that it doesn’t overpower the senses. It’s slightly floral so it’s great for the new-age metrosexual man. It makes you feel like you’re standing in a garden, so it’s very invigorating, making it perfect for days when you have a picnic planned or something to do with the outdoors.”

-- Aaron Pereira, Sub Editor

“It’s refreshing. It reminds me of freshly cut grass. It’s not too strong perfect for day use and it’s very casual, perfect for brunches and day-time meetings. It really makes you think of a garden, very freshly green, slightly floral, but still masculine with a slight muskiness that reminds me of having spent a day out tending in the gardens. It’s great for layering so you can build up your preferred intensity.”

Is Le Jardin de Monsieur Li male or female?

Item details.

What is the most expensive Hermès perfume?

The company that focuses on making leather bags, jewelry and watches, Hermes International, also launched a perfume. Hermes 24 Faubourg was released in 1995 with unique and exclusive packaging of only 1,000 bottles. This perfume, which costs US$1,500 or Rp22. 3 million, contains orange and vanilla.

Do Hermès perfumes last?

The longevity of Terre d'Hermes perfume on the skin can depend on several factors, such as skin type, environmental conditions, and personal body chemistry. However, on average, it is known to last for around 6 to 8 hours. Keep in mind that the longevity of a fragrance can also depend on its concentration.

Does Hermès have good perfume?

Hermes perfumes are one of the most sought-after brands in the world and are known for their status and outstanding compositions created by many famous perfumers. They have many different perfumes that range from bubbly and aldehydic, floral and citrus, fresh and green, luxurious and vanillic and sweetly floral.