In an era where remote work has transitioned into a thing of the past, now stands as an opportune moment to delve into the world of new fragrances. This is especially true when presented with an array of scents that embody almost half a century of excellence and creativity. French perfumer Henry Jacques may proffer a relatively intimate collection, but what it perceptibly lacks in (oft unnecessary) variety, it more than makes up for in quality with a depth of scents that tease and tantalise the olfactory nerves.
There is also an undeniable sense of romance that Henry Jacques reintroduces into pure perfumes and the rituals that surround their application, so often praised in fine literature. In particular, Edith Wharton in The Age of Innocence weaves the memory of scents into her vivid universe of crumbling social conventions in the late 19th century. A more contemporary reference can be found in
Under the Tuscan Sun, in which Frances Mayes illustrates her experience of essential oils most evocatively with this quote: “Anytime the perfume of orange and lemon groves wafts in the window; the human body has to feel suffused with a languorous well-being.”
Too often, perfumes are reduced to a mere frill, quickly sprayed on from nameless bottles and stripped of its peerage. And yet, perfume is the element that can help reveal our highest selves, lingering on when all other artifice crumbles away.
Drawing on a childhood of inspirational travel, Henry Jacques Cremona established his namesake perfume house in 1975 to fulfil his inexhaustible passion for perfume. Established in the outskirts of Grasse, the very hub of French haute parfumerie since the 17th century, and steeped in old tradition, Henry Jacques’ exquisite creations have become treasures for discerning connoisseurs. Composed only of premium natural essences from all over the world, the perfumes are created following time-honoured principles of craftsmanship in the house’s atelier. Having formed close relationships with some of the world’s foremost crystal-glass makers and jewellers, each innovative perfume is housed in intricately designed flacons for a dramatic pairing of olfactive finesse and artistic beauty.
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Within Henry Jacques’ Masterpieces collection, there are two fragrance lines that express the maison’s personality as well as its passion for truly one-of-a-kind scents and equally unmatchable containers. The Renaissance line exemplifies this latter approach, with perfumed liquid gold presented in gold-covered, gem-encrusted flacons, showcasing its rare and valued status.
Composed from pure oils extracted from the most precious and exclusive ingredients sourced from all over the world, the scents are bottled for discerning buyers in five different flacons that are limited in production and represent true works of art. The gold pattern that encases each flacon is inspired by a Renaissance painting, reflecting elements like the delicate lacework of an intricate gown, evoking a graceful classicism. The addition of precious gems such as white or brown diamonds, and coloured gems like tourmaline and citrine, simply add to its majesty.
For those in search of perfumes that come in pairs, the trilogy of scents under the Les Toupies umbrella is ideal. Conceived and developed as complementary duos, these rare fragrances exist in perfect symbiosis and harmony, contained in exquisite flacons designed to express the unique character of each perfume.
Each detail of Les Toupies was painstakingly created by the maison’s artistic director, Christophe Tollemer, over more than three years. His challenge was to design a series of flacons that would be multifaceted yet symmetrical, with no central point yet possessed of a stable axis, so that they can safely hold the precious nectars. Artisans were then specially commissioned by Henry Jacques to transform these lines into three-dimensional crystal objects. The containers are made entirely by hand and have multifaceted patterns like gemstones to capture and reflect the light and evoke the character of the fragrance within.
This first pair, Mr. H and Mrs. Y, epitomise the je ne sais quoi of French elegance — the idea that no matter what happens in life, there is still a certain grace, a style, an effortless beauty. The twin scents also represent a love story, so it is natural that they should be presented as a couple: woman and man; feminine and masculine; softer and stronger. The Mr. H flacon is slightly larger than Mrs. Y’s, the curves of one complementing the other. The fragrances too are reciprocal — depending on the tastes of the owners, they can be for a man or a woman; or simply someone more assertive, and the other, more delicate.
Inventive and avant-garde, Les Toupies’ second pair — No. 16 and No. 81 — are deeply rooted in the principles of classical haute parfumerie, yet unconstrained by traditional rules. No. 81 opens with bergamot and the vivid, citrusy presence of grapefruit, then deepens through layers of smoke and wood, with subtle spicy notes adding mystery and complexity. Rose de Mai, a pillar of traditional perfumery, lies at the heart of No. 16 but does not impose its presence. Subtle and evocative, it lends warmth and richness to the lively floral opening and honeyed trail.
In part three, Galileo’s patchouli notes are filled with strength and poetry. Lavender and Italian mandarin provide a youthful charm while tobacco, myrrh and amber awake a decadent and luxurious side, a yearning for the pleasures of life. Fanfan, meanwhile, is soft and touching, with a rare intensity. While the hint of lavender weaves a subtle link with Galileo, saffron and rose Damascenia carry Fanfan and give it its own character. Despite its complex layers, Fanfan remains a very Parisian perfume by nature, as graceful as it is unpretentious.
The journey to the Henry Jacques boutique in Marina Bay Sands Hotel will be worth the trek, as this bijou but luxurious 450 sq ft space is the ideal setting to experience the brand’s exceptional perfumes. Conceived of and assembled in France, then vacuum-packed and reassembled in Singapore, its establishment was a tedious process but the only way to guarantee uncompromised French craftsmanship, not to mention leaving customers with one hell of a good impression — just like its perfumes do.
