The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur
Product ID: 48900256
The French bestseller The Diary of a Nose is the story behind the creation of a perfume, from the head perfumer at Hermès. Perfume creation is an exclusive and secretive endeavour. What is day to day life like for a perfume-maker? How does the creation of a new scent begin? How do you capture the essence of a smell on the skin? For one year, Jean-Claude Ellena kept a diary of his life as 'parfumeur exclusif' ('le nez' or 'the nose') for Hermès. Believing that creating a scent is like creating a work of art, and describing himself as a writer using 'olfactory colours', he explains how all of the five senses come into play when creating a perfume. He also reveals how inspiration can come from a market stall, a landscape, or even the movement of calligraphy, and concludes this charming, perceptive diary with recipes for natural fragrances, each made up of three synthetic ingredients, to create the illusion of smells like freesia, orange blossom, grapefruit, pear, chocolate, cashew and cotton candy. This is the story of a quest to capture what is most elusive. Jean-Claude Ellena offer readers a rare insight into the secrets of his business, his art, and his life as one of the world's most important and admired perfumers. Review: Very inspiring - 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. Review: The poetry of perfume - Jean Claude Ellena's book is less diary, more poetry meets philosophy. Yes, it does cover a year in his life, but not in a conventional way. There's a lot of blank paper. If Monsieur Elena's thought for the day lasts a few lines, that's what you get on the page. It's whimsical, creative, thought provoking, condfident and utterly French. The way a haiku represents a single thought in 17 syllables, Ellena's single thoughts take just as long as he wants them to. I own some of his fragrances, from the full on blackcurrant blast of Yves Saint Laurent's In Love Again, to the light, clear recent Jardin creations for Hermes, and after seeing him in the BBC series Perfume I was fascinated to read about the way he works. (By the way, if you thought that Yves Saint Laurent had anything to do with his own perfumes, think again.) I think most creative artists dream of having the creative freedom and unconstrained budgets that Ellena has, and probably most of them dream of having his light clear way with words too. Like his recent scents, this book has a lightness and clarity that gives us a deep insight into his life. He calls it A Year in the Life of a Perfumer, but I don't think it describes the life of any perfumer but himself. Very few have had the success to be able to create such a beautiful existence for themselves. For people with some knowledge of perfumery, his list of 22 simple accords - one per page - at the back is worth the price of the book. For everyone else it must by a total mystery. For example: lilial and undecavertol make lime blossom. Sharing his knowledge is very generous of him. I just wish he'd write a whole book of those.
B**C
Very inspiring
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.
M**.
The poetry of perfume
Jean Claude Ellena's book is less diary, more poetry meets philosophy. Yes, it does cover a year in his life, but not in a conventional way. There's a lot of blank paper. If Monsieur Elena's thought for the day lasts a few lines, that's what you get on the page. It's whimsical, creative, thought provoking, condfident and utterly French. The way a haiku represents a single thought in 17 syllables, Ellena's single thoughts take just as long as he wants them to. I own some of his fragrances, from the full on blackcurrant blast of Yves Saint Laurent's In Love Again, to the light, clear recent Jardin creations for Hermes, and after seeing him in the BBC series Perfume I was fascinated to read about the way he works. (By the way, if you thought that Yves Saint Laurent had anything to do with his own perfumes, think again.) I think most creative artists dream of having the creative freedom and unconstrained budgets that Ellena has, and probably most of them dream of having his light clear way with words too. Like his recent scents, this book has a lightness and clarity that gives us a deep insight into his life. He calls it A Year in the Life of a Perfumer, but I don't think it describes the life of any perfumer but himself. Very few have had the success to be able to create such a beautiful existence for themselves. For people with some knowledge of perfumery, his list of 22 simple accords - one per page - at the back is worth the price of the book. For everyone else it must by a total mystery. For example: lilial and undecavertol make lime blossom. Sharing his knowledge is very generous of him. I just wish he'd write a whole book of those.
C**S
Too far ahead of me
I have only just begun my voyage of discovery into the world of perfume. This book disappointed me a little. I suspect this is because of my lack of knowledge rather than the author's style. I shall continue to read and learn and then maybe come back to it when I know more from elsewhere and then I expect to enjoy it more. There certainly seems to be a lot of BS surrounding high-end perfumes. But I guess the same applies in other spheres as well, like cookery and fashion and so on...? Not for me just yet then, but maybe one day soon?
D**R
This was a gift and was requested by the recipient who was very pleased. Would not hesitate to recommend
A must have read for any person in the perfume industry. Well laid out and informative. This was a gift and was requested by the recipient who was very pleased. Would not hesitate to recommend.
D**Y
What a great book.
This book is brilliant for people who’s share the passion of perfumery a great read about one the most iconic Perfumist.
A**R
A slim offering
Jean Claude Ellena is a great nose. A master of the craft and an Artist. With so much insight into the world of perfumery one wonders why we are offered such slim pickings. While at times his pondering are insightful and worthy of our attention I can't help thinking there should be more...much more. As in house perfumer at Hermes one would have hoped he'd offered insights in to that relationship and his process which is something he skims over rather than delves deeply into. The truth of the matter is that this is better than nothing and at times the diary entries seem like meditations whose brevity belies the depth actually being offered - a good thing! The upside is that when we are invited to journey with him it's a great ride. I just wish it were longer.
L**S
Great informative book
Love the author and subject matter
V**E
Birthday present
This was purchased as a birthday present and the person who received it was very interested in perfumes so she said that she found the book interesting and very informative.
C**O
Buen libro
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.
A**Y
A good read to understand perfumery
This book gives a peek into Jean's life. He takes you on a journey to create scents. His other book Perfume - The Alchemy of Scent clubbed with this one should be a must read for anyone who wants to understand the basics of perfumery.
D**N
100 % satisfied
The book is in a perfect condition as it could be the brand new one! I am 100% satisfied and happy.
F**O
Jean-Claude is 'da man!!!
A very interesting read about one of the legends of the fragrance industry! An inside view of a professional 'nose' and some of the factors involved leading to the inspiration for creating a unique and classic fine fragrance!!
N**.
Five Stars
Very good for my education. Thank you.
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