Grasse is the cradle of perfumery and produces some of the highest quality raw materials in the world, this beautiful region welcomes us all in its embrace of precious flowers and ageless aromas. The “Maître Gantiers” manufactured gloves, fans and other perfumed accessories for the Royal Houses of Renaissance Europe. In 2018, UNESCO accredited the Art of Perfumery in Grasse World Heritage Status in light of their exceptional knowledge associated with cultivating ingredients and for the art of perfume composition.
Our desire was to create a fragrance which represents the history and unique craftmanship of Grasse enabling everyone to enjoy the quality and true greatness of the art of French perfumery. To achieve this, Gian Luca Perris selected a protagonist of suitable grandeur:
« In Grasse there were several noteworthy candidates to be the lead creative in this project! But to me, Jean Claude Ellena is the most iconic perfumer of our time and stands above everyone else. Clearly, there is no doubt he was artistically born in Grasse. »
cit. Gian Luca Perris
THE PROTAGONIST: THE NOSE
Many of you know Jean Claude Ellena from the masterpieces he has created. However, not everyone knows his whole story: as a child he harvested jasmine and roses with his grandmother, then he started working in the factories producing essential oils and absolutes, on top of it all he then became a master of the art of perfume composition. Jean-Claude Ellena has experienced first-hand all of the elements that made Grasse a heritage of humanity:
“ Jean Claude calls himself an « écrivain des odeurs », I love to call him the Perfume Poet, and it was a true privilege to work with him on this project ”
cit. Gian Luca Perris
ROSE DE MAI
« "A rose is a rose is a rose..." this famous saying written by Gertrude Stein, one of the most prominent artists of the 20th century. This phrase simply states that among all flowers the rose is truly unique and today we have more than 50 varieties. Roses can be light, sublime, fresh, seductive, soft and also erotic when blended with patchouli and musk. I answered this delicate flower’s provocative calling with soft and voluptuous notes, and among all I have chosen the May Rose as it is the most cultivated flower in Grasse. For me Rose de Mai smells the brightest and most cheerful. »
Jean Claude Ellena
NOTES
| Rose Absolut, Immortel, Geranium Rose, Musk |
