HERMÈS ADDS FOUR FRAGRANCES TO HERMESSENCE LINE

Summary

• Hermès releases four new fragrances for its Hermessence collection under the theme "An Oriental Dream"
• Christine Nagel pairs contrasting materials like agarwood with balsam fir and vetiver with tonka bean
• The fragrances sell for $362 USD and come in the collection's signature lantern-shaped bottle

Hermès has added four fragrances to its Hermessence collection. The new releases fall under the theme "An Oriental Dream" and explore materials associated with Eastern perfumery.

Christine Nagel, who holds the position of Director of Olfactory Creation at Hermès, developed the scents. Her approach focuses on pairing materials that typically do not appear together in traditional perfumery.

Agar Ébène combines agarwood with balsam fir. Agarwood provides depth while balsam fir adds resinous notes. The combination creates contrast between heavy and fresh elements.

Vétiver Tonka pairs earthy vetiver with tonka bean. The tonka bean softens the vetiver's earthiness and introduces a warm, sweet quality to the composition.

Santal Massoïa features sandalwood alongside massoia bark. The blend produces a woody profile with milky textures and hints of dried fruit.

Ambre Narguilé mixes amber, honey, and spice notes. The fragrance references the aromatic experience of Middle Eastern water pipes through its composition.

The four releases follow the Hermessence philosophy of building fragrances around conversations between two primary materials. This approach differs from layered compositions that use many ingredients.

Hermès launched the Hermessence collection in 2004. The line represents the house's approach to perfumery as both technical creation and sensory experience. Each fragrance in the collection follows this formula of material pairing.

The bottles maintain the Hermessence design established at the collection's start. The lantern shape serves as the container, topped with a leather cap finished with saddle stitching. This detail connects the fragrances to Hermès' background in leather goods.

The pricing sits at $362 USD per bottle. Buyers access the fragrances through the Hermès webstore and select retail locations.

The "An Oriental Dream" releases expand the Hermessence collection's exploration of different material families. Previous releases in the line have examined other olfactory territories, from citrus to florals to woods.

Nagel's role at Hermès involves overseeing all fragrance development for the house. She works across both the exclusive Hermessence line and the broader commercial fragrance offerings.

The new fragrances arrive as niche perfumery grows in consumer interest. Buyers increasingly seek compositions that move beyond mainstream fragrance structures.

The emphasis on material pairing in the Hermessence collection offers a different entry point for understanding perfume composition. Instead of top, middle, and base note pyramids, these fragrances center on how two materials interact throughout the wearing experience.

The collection's presentation in limited retail settings and through direct channels positions these releases as destination purchases rather than casual acquisitions. The price point reinforces this positioning.

Hermès continues to expand its fragrance portfolio while maintaining distinct categories. The Hermessence line occupies a different space from the house's signature scents like Terre d'Hermès or Twilly.

The four new releases give the Hermessence collection additional depth in its exploration of Eastern materials, a category that has gained attention in contemporary perfumery over the past two decades.