Fragrance Friday: Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles

The original Eau des Merveilles told the tale of an imaginary journey at Hermès, “the feet on the ground, the head among the stars”, and what a journey it was. The fragrance became a major milestone for the historic and luxurious brand, and a great everyday signature scent for lucky women worldwide.

Come September the brand will be releasing a deeper, sexier take on the original in the form of L’Ambre des Merveilles, an eau de parfum and woody, amber interpretation of its namesake. At first, I was a little nervous about trying L’Ambre des Merveilles as the original - created by perfumers Ralf Schwieger and Nathalie Feisthauer - was such a perfect amber and it seemed almost sacreligious to mess with it. I needn’t have worried however as Jean-Claude Ellena, the current Hermès in-house perfumer, has created a very different beast and I think it will be loved just as much - if not more due to its sweeter nature.

The vivid top notes of mandarin accent the sweet amber - still a major note - but cedarwood lends an edge and gives it a darker tone that wasn’t there in the original. I’m a big fan of Serge Lutens’ Bois Oriental and this definitely has a similar wood-y feel, despite the amber accent of its essence.

I’ve seriously fallen in love with this fragrance and love it for day and night - layer it up and get smouldering, I say!

Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles Eau de Parfum arrives in store on September 15 in 50 and 100 ml spray bottles.