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Jean-Claude Ellena
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The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur Kindle Edition

by Jean-Claude Ellena (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 199 ratings
Hermès’ longtime master perfumer offers a rare glimpse into the mysterious, intoxicating world of creating luxury perfume.

How does one capture the essence of emotions, of desire . . . in a scent?

A scent has incantatory powers, capable of transporting you to your past, of kindling fantasies, of creating a vivid mise en scène—literally out of thin air. In the hands of the truly great, perfume creation is a kind of alchemy.
 
Jean-Claude Ellena has a sublime gift. As parfumeur exclusif—or “the nose”—for Hermès, he elevates fragrance to an art form. A “writer of perfume,” his concoctions are as finely composed and evocative as a haiku. He is also a conjurer of sorts: “I create an illusion that is actually stronger than reality . . . you enter the scent and follow the path.”

The Diary of a Nose is a collection of Ellena’s meditations on the world of scents, and what stirs his creation of some of the world’s most desired fragrances. Inspiration can come from anywhere—a market stall, a landscape, or even the movement of calligraphy. Though each smell has its own distinct character, a gifted perfumer creates olfactory experiences that are intensely personal and unique, that blossom on the body and leave a trace of us lingering after we have left a room. Seductive, delicate, and elegant as any of Ellena’s creations, The Diary of a Nose seeks to capture the most elusive facets of this rarefied and mysterious art.
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  1. Print length
    185 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Rizzoli Ex Libris
  4. Publication date
    January 22, 2013
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Written with a keen eye for detail . . . In achieving a transporting scent, Ellena’s goal is for the pleasure to be released and shared by the wearer and those around him or her, a passionate philosophy that turns a fragrance into more than the sum of its notes.”
—Publisher's Weekly

“It’s a rare glimpse into the mind of a master perfumer, and an inspired read for the fragrance enthusiast.”
—Sniffapalooza

“Ellena’s prose is tender, unpretentious, ethereal like Giono’s stories or Japanese ink calligraphy, and deeply personal. Because, beyond the ‘search for beauty’, art is defined by the purposeful will to communicate something from creator to public, and that something can never be non personal. The more impersonal and all-encompassing that message tries to be, the less artistic the end result becomes.”
—Perfume Shrine Blog

“Mr. Ellena’s book—with its understatement and little bursts of pleasure—is somehow more erotic . . . For now, when I roam around Paris, I’ll probably wear one of Jean-Claude Ellena’s creations. If he ever sidles up and sniffs me, I want to be wearing it.”
—Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Jean-Claude Ellena has been the exclusive perfumer to the house of house of Hermès since 2004. Over the course of his career he has created some of the world’s bestselling fragrances, including "First" from Van Cleef & Arpels, "Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert" from Bulgari, and "Déclaration" from Cartier.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008WNXIDS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rizzoli Ex Libris (January 22, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 22, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 185 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 199 ratings

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Jean-Claude Ellena

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
199 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides interesting insights into perfume creativity. They describe it as a pleasant and easy read, with an interesting writing style that feels like peering into handwritten notes. Readers appreciate the unique and classic fragrances described in the book.

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InsightReadabilityScentWriting style
9 customers mention "Insight"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting insights into perfume creativity. They say it's a great book for perfume lovers, perfume makers, and professionals in the industry. The author provides insight into the mysterious art of creating masterpieces.

"Jean Claude Ellena provides insight into the mysterious art and craft of fragrance designing.This book was a pleasure to read." Read more

"Great book for all perfumes lovers, perfume makers and professionals of this industry...." Read more

"...of smells, creating a new fragrance, and getting ideas for new fragrances from different environments...." Read more

"This is truly the diary of a perfumer. Do not expect an educational read. Intersting." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. It's a quick, light read written in simple language about one of the legends of the fragrance industry. They enjoy the interesting story about how perfumes are constructed.

"...This book was a pleasure to read." Read more

"...A good & easy read." Read more

"A very interesting read about one of the legends of the fragrance industry!..." Read more

"A quick read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book that does not so much explain the "how" as the "why" of Mr. Ellena's gift...." Read more

4 customers mention "Scent"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the scent. Reviewers describe it as a unique and classic fine fragrance.

"...involved leading to the inspiration for creating a unique and classic fine fragrance!!" Read more

"...and Jean Claude tells his thoughts on combinations of smells, creating a new fragrance, and getting ideas for new fragrances from different..." Read more

"Loving "truly" exquisite perfume looked forward to reading this diary. I was disappointed it offered trivia not depth...." Read more

"Anyone with a keen sense of smell and a creative mind for fragrances would enjoy this book...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it authentic, as if they were peering into handwritten notes from a respected professional.

"...As I read this, I felt as if I was peeking into hand-written notes that he puts in his beloved Moleskine notebooks every few days...." Read more

"It is written as a daily diary during about a year and Jean Claude tells his thoughts on combinations of smells, creating a new fragrance, and..." Read more

"This book is a diary of a respected professional and I recommend for every body who wants to know important things about perfumes." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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  • C. Baines
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    For the money that I paid for this book, as a hobbyist perfumer, I found it highly inspiring. The author provides a template that mirrors my own thinking and augments my learning. From what I have read so far, the experience has been akin to being just like having a my own personal mentor with me who shares nuggets of information from his own valuable experience. Artisans are often dismissive of their own works and often, too, wallow in self-doubt. I am no different in this regard: to have another, more talented artisan be so frank regarding his own foibles bolsters my self image and resolve to continue. In summary, I took from this book an affirmation of who I am as a perfumer. The book is written in straightforward English with each page offering at least one piece of information - a nugget - that can be taken away and reflected upon. It is literally a diary, not a scientific read - although the author does sometimes use technical language - that takes the reader through the author's mind on a day-by-day basis throughout the course of a year: in it, he shares his doubts and his discoveries and the knowledge, techniques and experience he uses to hone his talents. A fascinating but light read with surprises on every page. Recommended.
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  • Carlos Olmedo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
    Reviewed in Spain on February 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Un libro muy bueno en el que narra el día a día del gran perfumista de Hérmes, en este se incluyen fórmulas desarrolladas por Jean-Claude muy interesantes para quienes estén aprendiendo sobre perfumería. El libro está en inglés, pero hoy en día la gran mayoría tiene la capacidad de leer en inglés.
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  • NEDESCU D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very good for my education. Thank you.
    Report
  • mu-
    3.0 out of 5 stars Curiosity cure
    Reviewed in Germany on December 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    If you ever wonder what's going on in the head of the great J.-C. Ellena this book won't disappoint. Pedantic and honest.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. Great condition. Very much enjoyed.
    Report

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