Perfumer stories: Jean-Claude Ellena

Jean-Claude Ellena is one of modern perfumery’s most distinctive voices - an artist who brings together Mediterranean brightness with a thoughtful, almost literary approach to scent. Known for his minimalist style, he composes with remarkable clarity, choosing only the materials that are essential. Although many of his fragrances reflect the warmth and ease of his origins, Ellena is equally drawn to the intellectual side of perfumery, exploring ideas and contrasts through a restrained, precise vocabulary of ingredients.

For Fine Scents, Ellena created Joie de Sannes and Eminence, two fragrances shaped by different facets of his vision. Joie de Sannes was inspired by the beauty of a place that resonated deeply with him - an attempt to capture lightness, ease and the joy found in a sunlit moment. Eminence, by contrast, reflects a more contemplative side of his work, exploring depth and structure in a way that is refined yet powerful.