Christine Nagel, Hermès’ in-house perfumer, is a synesthete and a storyteller. I met her for the first time in person earlier this year (2024) to discuss ‘Oud Alezan’, a warm and heady scent inspired by Nagel’s emotive encounter with a chestnut mare named Scheherazade, at the annual Saut Hermès in Paris. Her words, softly spoken in French, were relayed through an interpreter. But I was captivated nonetheless.
‘Barénia’ is Nagel’s latest creation for the house since her appointment ten years ago – and has taken almost as long to produce. It’s also the first-ever chypre scent profile in Hermès’ portfolio of fragrances. (The chypre fragrance family is characterised by the contrast of fresh top notes, usually floral or fruity, and woody, mossy base accords).
