Thursday 16 May 2013

Hermes Un Jardin Apres la Mousson

Hermes celebrates India and sees it in an unusual light with the creation of Un Jardin Apres la Mousson ( a garden after the monsoon)
This fragrance carries us to Kerala after the monsoon rains, offering the experience of a singular moment in time, marked by nature's rebirth.
Glowing and serene, invogating and soothing, Un jardin apres ala mousson blends the freshness of ginger and the sweetness of the butterfly-delicate kahili ginger flower with the spontaneity of cold spices and the subtlety of vetiver.
Un Jardin après la Mousson: created in 2008, it explores the facets of an unexpected India, when the monsoon restores to the earth what the sun has taken, chasing away the burning breath of drought. Ginger, cardamom, coriander, pepper and vetiver speak of the rebirth of nature captured in Kerala, a universe engorged with water. The nose behind this fragrance is Jean-Claude Ellena. (source)

The first thing that comes to my mind at the mention of Kerala India, is coconuts.When I first read that Ellena's latest Jardin was inspired by Kerala, I was definitely anticipating a coconut in the composition. But I'm glad Ellena thought otherwise, and concentrated on something else Kerala is famous for. No, not it's delicious coffee this time, but Spices!
Cardamom Mostly.
As opposed to cinnamon,which has a hot and fiery quality to it, and is used mostly in colder months. Here in South East Asia, cardamom is considered a neutral spice, enjoyed in all weathers. It is used in halvas and kehvas in cold winters as well as in thirst quenching chilled sherbets and creamy cold kulfis in summers.
I think Apres ala mousson is as much about cardamom as Un Jardin En Mediterranee  is about the fig.
 Cardamom blooms the most prominant in the opening and lends a cold musky scent. It is all I can smell when sniffed directly from the bottle. It then mellows down to a translucent spicy, citrusy, woody fresh scent which is a signature of all the fragrances in the Jardin series. I think Mousson is a very unconventional scent. Spicy, woody yet watery and fresh. It is inspired by the scent of rich vegetation and aromatic soil. Wet and fragrant after the heavy monsoon rains.  The fresh ginger is zesty and very refreshing and stops the fragrance from being too rich and spicy.
 The image that comes to mind is of sitting in a verandah in the middle of a lush spice plantation in Kerala, enjoying the monsoon rains. The rain is heavy, yet still, without the distraction of thunder. 

source

source
Amidst the spices mentioned in the notes, Ellena’s minimalistic style makes it delicate, refreshing and a pleasure to wear on a hot humid summers day. An odd yet intriguing fragrance.

Notes: Cardamom, Corriander, Pepper, Ginger, Ginger Flower, Vetiver
Good for: Spring, Summer
Mood: Casual
Other scents in Hermes Jardin series

17 comments:

Su said...

I have tried this and I really like it. On my skin I get a prominent melon note along with cardamom. I should pull my sample out and test it again to see if I remember correctly. I like the watery quality of the perfume, like you said, very refreshing in the heat :)

Pandora`s Box said...

Mmmm! I wish I could have gotten that melon note. Please review it sometime. Would love to read your thoughts on this:)

Indian Beauty Zone said...

Wow nice stuffs and cool post dear
Have a great day :)

Pretty Gloss said...

Ohh.. haven't tried this one. Monsoon sounds awesome, so does cardamom blooms!

Sarah
PrettyGloss - beauty, makeup & a lil bit life

Shang J. said...

Whoa this bottle looks so exotic. The notes are definitely an unconventional blend. x

Su said...

I have reviewed but a long time ago! http://myperfumediaries.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/hermes-un-jardin-apres-la-mousson.html?m=0
Melon as in kharbooj, muskmelon! They make a summer drink from kharbooj with cardamom in South India. Mousson smells somewhat like that on me, minus the sugar :) x

Mahnoor Malik said...

Great post :)

Mahnoorshaul

Pandora`s Box said...

@ thank u Radha for visiting my space and appreciation. Come drop by agin soon :)

@Pretty gloss: give it a sniff Sara. It's available at D Watson f-10 for Rs. Five thousand five hundred.

@Shang: I thought the same. Very unconventional blend indeed. A watery refreshing cardamom :)

@Su: mmmm! That kharbooza with cardamom drink sounds heavenly. Must smell just like Hermes Mousson. Thanks or your review link.

@Mahnoor: thanks hon

Lima said...

Your description of this sounds absolutely divine!

The bottle looks incredibly gorgeous and exotic. Very fitting for the fragrance.

xx

Fakhra's said...

Again, u Rock, i loving the history, concepts of your blog post...
Again bottle is cool and notes,,,, so tempting...

hugs <3

Zatheela said...

sounds very warm :-) the bottle looks pretty too. Never tried it.. guess its a bit of a sophisticated scent yeah!

Venus Loves Virgo said...

These sound all really exotic and sumptuous! I need a really good new perfume. XOXO

Pandora`s Box said...

@Halima thanks :) and yes the bottle represents the fragrance nicely.

@ Fakhira: thank u for ur kind words fakhira. Drop by again soon.

@ZatZ: not sophisticated enough for the powerful queen of the Nile :p it's really refreshing I'm sure you'll like it.

@Venus LovesVirgo: all the fragrances in Hermes Jardin series are nice n refreshing for the summers.

Mahnoor Malik said...

I'm in love with this one. This one now added in my wishlist. Lovely perfume :)

Mahnoorshaul

Mahnoor Malik said...

I'm in love with this one. This one now added in my wishlist. Lovely perfume :)

Mahnoorshaul

Quem é Toqueleque? said...

Thank you so much for your post. Since 2008 an appropriate review on this perfume was missing!
The melon note I think is actually vetiver.
I absolutely adore this perfume and I relate with all the images and emotional notes the perfume resonates to you.
Obrigada, de Moçambique

theprettylilthings said...

Perfume looks awesome! x

www.theprettylilthingsblog.blogspot.com

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