A fragrance of intense duality, Hermann a Mes Coates me Paraissait une Ombre (the unabridged name is a line taken from a Victor Hugo poem that translates to "by my side, Hermann seemed to me like a shadow") is an exploration of your alternative self, the person who rides beside you so closely in the darkness that their opposition seems not contradictory, but rather complimentary. To represent this in a fragrance, Etat Libre d'Orange has delivered an aromatic, woody enigma of a scent both hauntingly cold and surprisingly bright.

Hermann opens with chilly top notes of blackcurrant buds, and galbanum, spice without heat, maintaining an alluringly spooky disposition. In the heart, rich frankincense and peppery rose absolute add depth and character while staying shockingly weightless, allowing the aromatic notes to still filter through with impressive longevity. A base of patchouli is similarly elevated with a heavy dose of musky ambroxan, reminding us of the impossibility of holding even the largest shadow in one's hands. As Etat Libre puts it, Hermann itself stays sheer, "enabling light to cast a shadow on your skin." Spooky, sexy and astonishingly different, Hermann is the kind of scent we'd only expect from the always original artists of ELDO.

Hermann Fragrance Notes

Blackcurrant buds, black pepper, galbanum, calypsone, geosmin, frankincense, pepperwood, petalia, rose absolute, patchouli, ambroxan

Hermann Sizes Available:

50ml

$105

0.7ml sample

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If you like Hermann Eau de Parfum, we recommend you try:

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Here's what other people are saying about Hermann...

To me, this smells like an old dirty orange juicebox that’s been sitting at the bottom of the recycling bin for 2 weeks. Pretty similar to the mildewy-ness of Avignon, but with more composting orange smell.

By M - Student from Edmonton on 11/3/2024

This is such a weird, yet not so weird scent. A bit peppery, a bit tangy, kind of sharp, citrusy and rosy. It smells like nothing I've tried before, but it's not overpowering. It has a eccentric personality that is more shy than effusive, it grows on you with its odd stamp of non-conformity.

By Andrew - Writer from Los Angeles on 11/7/2023

Both intensely woody (cedar, frankincense, patchouli) and unapologetically synthetic, this beauty uses pepper and -- this’ll be a surprise if you read the official description -- an assertive, oily orange-zest note to tell its story. Somehow both more traditional and far weirder than most of my shelf, and extraordinarily wearable in any case.

By Angela - editor from Seattle on 2/14/2021

"HERMANN A MES COTES ME PARAISSAIT UNE OMBRE" has easily become one of my absolute favorite fragrances, EVER! Whenever I wear it, I just feel fantastic about myself. It's that feeling you have when you're fresh out of the shower and just kick back and watch a show with your feet up, fan on, next to someone you love.

By Chris Jaime - Photographer from Brooklyn, NY on 7/6/2018

Love this one. Opens frankincense/graphite, moves briefly thru something citrusy/turpentine, then settles into (as other reviewer says) peppery wood. Very light, tho – I do wish it were stronger. I don't get any rose whatsoever, or really, anything floral. This is nowhere near as dry, but in some ways it reminds me of Lutens Iris Silver Mist, in that it's just a strange fragrance, not really comparable to anything in nature. To me this is airy and a little metallic, not earthy. Very cool perfume. If only it were stronger!!

By jerseymaiden - writer from saratoga springs ny on 4/4/2017

On me, this wears as 6-8 hours of moderate projection oddness. Light, but with noticeable presence. Beyond a doubt, there are a LOT of synthetics at work here, but I never get that much Ambroxan. Instead, it opens with an almost petrichor scent of freshly turned black earth. Then, peppered woods. Literally. If peppercorns came from a tree, this is what I imagine its bark would smell like. That pepper/wood stays the entire life, but after an hour or so, the floral petals (never rose or anything distinctive, just a sense of floral buds) becomes a stronger supporting player, adding an odd sweetness that isn't cloying, just a bit strange. As always, individual mileage WILL vary.

By Ami - human from wichita on 9/8/2016

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Etat Libre d'Orange

Eau de Parfum

Hermann

Eau de Parfum

by Etat Libre d'Orange

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