The First CHYPRE

BAZAAR speaks exclusively with Christine Nagel, creative director of Hermès Perfumes, on the story of Barénia and how she created Hermès' very first chypre fragrance.

- ALISHA AZUDDIN

Barénia is a fragrance that marries the delicate butterfly lily with the intriguing miracle berry, all set against a warm backdrop of oakwood and intense patchouli.

Brought to life by creative director of Hermès Perfumes, Christine Nagel, this perfume embodies a perfect harmony of softness and strength, reflecting the instinctive and bold nature of the modern woman -a signature scent that lingers on the skin and in memory. In an exclusive interview with Harper's BAZAAR, Nagel delves into the meticulous process of sculpting this sensual composition.

What inspired Barénia and how will this fragrance change the parfum collection?

With Barénia, I wanted to sculpt a distinctive, signature vision of femininity rooted in the house and in the strength of its heritage and culture. For me, this new chapter is a contemporary manifesto, a fragrance of conviction that embodies absolute freedom for women. The fragrance completes this portrait of a free woman, her body in motion, reaffirming her boldness and uniqueness.

Why was chypre selected as the primary note for Barénia? And what was the reason in creating a sensual scent from the House?