Now you can douse yourself in Henry Jacques’ new citrusy, cologne-inspired collection

During a local media presentation with Antonin Khalife, Henry Jacques’ bespoke committee perfumer and grandson of house founder Henry Cremona, he showed us just how the new Il y Avait un Jardin… collection is meant to be worn. Dispensing a generous amount onto his palm, he patted a fragrance all over his face and neck, smoothed it into his hair, and also suggested splashing it on one’s bed linens. 

Celebrating the house’s 50th anniversary, this collection is a refreshing and more accessible addition from an ultra high-end perfumerie that is famous for its customised concoctions, special editions, and the core Les Classiques range of 50 highly concentrated scents costing upwards of $1,090 for a 15ml bottle. 

What is a distinctive feature about Henry Jacques offerings is that they are not just precious perfumes, but categorised based on the pleasure of “gestures” — essentially, how you wish to wear them. For instance, the Les Classiques portfolio is available in three versions: Les Essences (for dabbing on), Les Brumes (with an interchangeable top for either misting or hand-application), and Les Solides (solid perfumes housed in precious Clic-Clac precious metal cases).

Despite its description as cologne-inspired, the Il y Avait un Jardin… (“There was a garden…” in French) collection is actually an Eau de Parfum, which contains 15 to 20 per cent fragrance oils based on French regulations. But in terrific news for scent lovers, it is made so that you could splash on some Henry Jacques as freely and spontaneously as you like. There are only two versions, simply named I and II, both in a 250ml format and available at an attractive $510 each at the brand’s Marina Bay Sands boutique.

Like its name suggests, this uplifting collection will evoke treasured happy memories of one of your South European escapades — just imagine strolling through a sun-dappled garden perfumed with all manner of citruses. And its raw materials are sourced from Calabria, Italy, through a partnership with a local family renowned over generations for its top-quality fruit orchards.

Composition I opens with invigorating notes of bergamot, lemon, and bitter orange, accentuated by a hint of aromatic rosemary. As the fragrance settles, it reveals a heart of the delicate orange blossom and lavender with a lingering freshness of lemon tree petitgrain and rosewood. Enriching it with a lasting finish are base notes of warm sandalwood, soothing benzoin, and rich ambery cistus. 

Should you prefer something earthier and warm, composition II will suit you just right. My favourite of the two, it unfurls with a vibrant burst of citrusy notes of lemon, bergamot and mandarin, before easing into petitgrain bigarade, rosewood, lavender, and nutmeg. As the perfume wears on, it leaves a lingering trail of creamy tonka beans, gentle amber, and sensual vetiver.

Perfect for our eternally summer weather, the Il y Avait un Jardin… collection is also a masterclass in making light, breezy yet sophisticated scents that defy gender association.