A name that carries weight in the perfumery industry, by sheer legacy and heritage, Henry Jacques makes a triumphant return with a new release – ten years since the launch of the Les Classiques. Marked by an early May launch, just in time for summer, Il Y Avait Un Jardin… is a scent story in two parts that is characterised by fresh notes and inspired by cologne.
The story of the garden opens with No. I, which will captivate orange blossom lovers, leading first with bergamot, lemon, and bitter orange with spice from rosemary, before unfolding into the heart of orange blossom and lavender. Lemon tree petitgrain and rosewood continue to unfurl and bring the citrus freshness further before making way for an elegant finish of warm sandalwood, benzoin, and ambery cistus.
In the second part, No. II presents the freshness of the citrus-filled garden with additional earthy and woody notes which gives a grounding twist to the bright opening notes. Starting with similar notes of bergamot, lemon, and mandarin, the fragrance turns to the herbal petitgrain bigarade and spicy rosewood before blooming into lavender, and an unexpected, sweet spice of nutmeg. Then tonka bean and cistus are awakened with vetiver in the base, ending the story on a smooth sophistication.
On the occasion of the launch of Il Y Avait Un Jardin… here in Malaysia, Antonin Khalifé, grandson of Henry Jacques and perfumer with the maison, made his way to our shores. Very much keeping the spirit of Henry Jacques alive through his unique talent for perfume creation, Antonin brought Il Y Avait Un Jardin… to the market, previously a scent that the family indulged in private. In this interview for Behind the Business, he talks about the new collection, his connection to the perfumery legend, and more.
Congratulations on the launch of Il Y Avait Un Jardin…! It’s an exciting launch for Henry Jacques as it marks the first perfume variant in recent years. Tell us about the process of creating the two perfumes – No. I and No. II – that make up the Il Y Avait Un Jardin… collection.
Thank you very much, I must say that many of our dear HJ Lovers were waiting for this moment for a long time.
Indeed, these two beautiful perfumes, and way to apply them as a splash, are privately part of my family for three generations now, yet new to the world. They were both created by my dear grandparents and have always been part of our houses.
Keeping my curiosity for new qualities of raw materials is part of my perfumer journey, and I had the chance to meet through a friend in Sicily, a Calabrian family producing some of the finest citruses in the world. The citruses we used so far were already from an extremely high quality, however our creative team and I fell directly in love with the unique olfactive identity of these new citruses, which really enhanced the collection.
This collection is extra special as it introduces a new format and ritual to Henry Jacques perfumes characterised by the splash method which you mentioned. What was the thought behind choosing this over more traditional spray bottles?
The splash gesture, for us, is a ritual which is meant to enhance the experience of our dear clients wearing the perfumes, offering an even deeper projection and a unique feel of being refreshed.
How does this splash ritual fit within the story of Henry Jacques alongside Les Essences, Les Brumes, and Les Solides?
This version offers a complementary and missing part of the Henry Jacques wearer journey, giving the perfumes an opportunity to develop in a very different and unique way.
As a perfumer and grandson of Henry Jacques, what does the name “Henry Jacques” – the person, the Maison, and the philosophy – mean to you?
To me, Henry Jacques embodies a quiet perseverance, of someone who notices the invisible and shares his passions with rare and heartfelt generosity.
The brand stands for a refusal to compromise, a constant pursuit of perfection through the meticulous attention to details. And the philosophy behind Henry Jacques is all about this quiet mastery – there’s so much expertise and experience that creating comes naturally.
But what really stands out is the humility. There’s always this openness to curiosity, to learning, to trying something new.
You were introduced to the world of perfumery from a very young age. What was it like growing up within this world and how did you know you wanted to walk along the same path?
Growing up surrounded by raw materials was a gift. One that I’ve come to treasure more and more. From a very young age, I developed a personal connection to these materials, something that was very intimate and instinctive. My family never saw my curiosity as a game, but really respected my evolving vision which gave me the most meaningful foundation to learn from.
What are your favourite scent notes or ingredients when it comes to creating perfumes? On the other hand, what are your favourite scents or fragrances to wear?
Some of the raw materials I connect with most naturally, and that bring me the deepest sense of satisfaction when creating, are sandalwood essence, frankincense essence, Atlas cedarwood essence, mimosa absolute, and our very own Henry Jacques Rose de Mai absolute, harvested from our own fields. However, every day is a new journey in discovering new raw materials and their possibilities.
As for me, any person close to me will know that Rose Azur is my signature perfume, for a timeless elegance and complexity. I created this perfume in 2023, after our first Henry Jacques rose harvest.
Alongside creating new collections for Henry Jacques, you work with the Sur-Mesure or Bespoke Perfumes committee. What are some unforgettable bespoke creations or scent combinations you’ve made that you can tell us about?
I have to say, creating perfumes for couples is always one of the most interesting and surprising experiences. Choosing a fragrance is such a personal and subjective process, but in this context, the connection to a perfume comes not only from the person it’s made for, but also, indirectly, from their partner, who inevitably plays a decisive role in the creation.
Our two perfumes for Heron Preston and Sabrina Albarello are among the most fascinating projects I’ve worked on. Translating Heron’s vision into an olfactory reality, essentially guiding him to design with his nose for the very first time was truly a memorable journey. Sabrina was remarkably intuitive as she could effortlessly tell whether a perfume try or another truly reflected Heron’s personality.
What’s next for Henry Jacques? What can we look forward to from the Maison in the coming years?
We are busier than ever putting olfactive ideas and concept into reality. Many new chapters are coming in the next years, to keep the surprise and HJ spirit alive in the mind of our dear clients.
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