I wrote this review in February of 2003 and stashed it in the Writer's Corner because it was another fragrance review without a home. Epinions has Hermès in their database, but they only have two fragrances listed at that time and I couldn't seem to get this wonderful one added. The Beauty CL still has a note up on her profile page saying that she can't add products in fragrances, but I typed in the name anyway and . . . finally, there it was! This just proves that if you keep checking the Epinions database long enough you'll eventually find your product listed; I just found a book I've been wanting to post for about four years.

In Greek mythology Hermes was the god of merchants and the messenger of Zeus. He presided over commerce, wrestling, and other gymnastic exercises, even over thieving, and everything, in short, which required skill and dexterity. In Roman mythology, the god Hermes was called Mercury. I have no idea whether or not Hermès of Paris tied their name to this Greek god for any reason. I couldn’t find anything except a few trademark spats they were into to protect the name.

One of the reasons we all made trips to Chicago in the early 1950s was to shop at Marshall Field’s where we could buy Hermès colognes. There, we could get a fragrance formerly known as Hermès Eau De Cologne. Now it’s known as Eau D’Orange Verte, which translates to “water of green oranges,” and it's in my top all-time favorite cologne. This cologne lasts a long time and I can pull out a something like a lightweight sweater that I wore one evening over a sunburn last summer still smell the essence of it.

A first whiff smells strongly and deliciously of orange and other citrus but that quickly fades to a subtle distillation of exotic fruits like mango and papaya. Unfortunately it’s also the most expensive one I’ve ever had. A 6.5 fluid ounce bottle will set you back about $85 plus tax. The bottle is a tall tapered cylinder of dark green glass topped with a green plastic cap; they used to be glass and for the price they charge they should go back to using it.

The fragrance comes boxed in a fake orange leather box that holds a black plastic spray pump. You can splash or spray but at this price I spray. This is another one of those colognes that’s best kept on a glass-topped dresser or a glass shelf. If you spill any it will leave a ring on any lacquered or varnished surface.

When I was in Manhattan in 1996 for an 85th birthday celebration, I stopped into their New York store at 691 Madison Avenue and splurged. It’s a gorgeous store . . . very modern with elegantly WASP-y sales ladies who know their stuff and are very accommodating. My box of cologne was wrapped in tissue and put it in a textured shopping bag that looked like leather and is the orange color of good pigskin. The printing is all in brown ink and the bag has brown cotton cord handles rather than paper loops.

As I walked out the door I saw New Yorkers spot the bag out of the corner of their eye and keep walking at a good clip. It was lunch-time and I was on my way to meet someone. After lunch I was on my way to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and a walk around Times Square. Then it was cross-town on 43rd Street to Lexington Avenue and up past Beekmann Place and back to the condo with my treasure.

Hermès.com

Hermès, established in 1837, makes more expensive scents that are available both for men and women. Here, you can take a look at everything they have to offer: http://www.hermes.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10051.

On this site, Hermès offers the possibility of purchasing a selection of its silk scarves, silk ties and fragrances for delivery in "the United States only." When you get to the first page of the site you will be asked if you want it in English, French or Japanese.

Don’t let that “United States only” bother you, there’s an amusing map with links to all their stores worldwide. All you do is click on one of the bright red squares and you can be in, say, North America or South America in an instant. From there you locate the cities you’re interested in and the next thing you see is a nice drawing of a shop-front with an address, phone and fax number.

The list of products appears along the left side of the screen and fragrances are identified by tiny photographs of perfume bottles. Just click on any one of them and you will be taken to an enlargement where you will get everything but a whiff of the scent.

There are links for scarves, neckties and leather goods. Think luxe and think lotsa money. You can see everything in an array of colors and color combinations. You can even see the design up close and personal, see how it looks knotted or looped and then buy it right then and there, directly from the site.

The scarves are made of printed silk twill with hand rolled edges. They are superbly printed and put Versace to shame. I remember military prints with helmets and epaulets and guns. There were wonderful scarves with antique horse harnesses and other things related to horses. There were scarves printed with trout flies and abstract designs and some with pretty flowers and vines.

The scarves are about 50 inches square and run $270 and UP! When I worked at Lord & Taylor there was a whole Hermès island on the main floor in an area all to itself. Back then scarves went for $75 each and everything else was much cheaper. We also got a 40% discount and when there was a sale, we were around that counter like vultures.

Many of the designs that were suitable for men, and everyone in display bought cologne and scarves to wear with their Burberry raincoats. The head of display for windows had his suits lined with scarves rather than “just plain old lining.” A little grandiose, but it looked great.

I had four scarves and over time they’ve all been lost or given away when I was in a generous mood. I never ran out of cologne like I'm doing now. There are half a dozen good sprays left in my green bottle and I have to start planning for one more splurge.

Hermès Eau D’Orange Verte is a luxury and an indulgence that everyone should allow themselves at least once in their lifetimes. A silk scarf or two wouldn’t hurt either.

Here are links to my other reviews in this series:

#1 Guerlain’s Heritage: http://www.epinions.com/content_3060834436

#2 Davidoff’s Cool Water: http://www.epinions.com/content_86974828164#

#3 Muehlen’s 4711: http://www.epinions.com/content_88686694020

#4 Guerlain’s Vetiver: http://www.epinions.com/content_88691150468

#5 Jacques Fath’s Greenwater: http://www.epinions.com/content_89430462084

© Ed Grover – 2003



Recommended: Yes