Unbound By Imagination

Christine Nagel, head perfumer at Hermes, on developing her latest men’s fragrance and why it isn’t just for men.

- Lynette Koh

“To me, fragrance is not gendered,” says Christine Nagel. This statement would be less noteworthy if not for the fact that this interview is taking place in tandem with the launch of H24, the maison’s new and most significant men’s fragrance in 15 years. The last prominent one was Terre d’Hermes, a spicy-woody concoction by her predecessor, Jean-Claude Ellena.

Having joined Hermes in 2014, Nagel became the house’s head perfumer in 2016. To date, she has created such memorable fragrances as Galop d’Hermes and Twilly d’Hermes, as well as the Hermessence collection.

Elaborating on why H24 is billed as a fragrance for men, Nagel explains, “The source of my inspiration was the Hermes men’s universe. Even though this was conceived vis-a-vis the Hermes man, it could also please women.”

Indeed, those familiar with the menswear designs of Veronique Nichanian – artistic director of the Hermes men’s universe for more than three decades – will understand why Nagel came under its spell. The men’s fashion workshops are located just below the perfumer’s office in Pantin, Paris, and where Nagel called in from while sporting her trademark round glasses and speaking to us energetically in French through a translator.