Jean-Claude Ellena
As one of the leading figures in one of the most accomplished family perfumer dynasties in history, Jean-Claude Ellena is a titan. Growing up in Grasse in the 50’s, Jean-Claude was brought up in the family business by his father Peter, a perfumer for legendary 19th/early 20th century house Chiris, where Jean-Claude began apprenticing at the age of 16. Later, he undertook advanced training with Givaudan at their at-the-time brand new perfume school, eventually rising to the role of chief perfumer for Givaudan Paris. He founded The Different Company before turning the reins over to his daughter Celine in 2004, at which point he was appointed the exclusive in-house perfumer for Hermes. His creation of Hermes’ modern masterpiece Un Jardin Sur Le Nil is the subject of Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent.
