Woman conquers equine apprehension through creation of scent mimicking horses
Hermès Unveils Paddock: A Fragrance Inspired by the Stables
In the world of luxury perfumery, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. Such is the case with Hermès' latest scent, Paddock. Created by the esteemed perfumer Christine Nagel, Paddock was born from an encounter at the Saut Hermès event in 2022.
Nagel found inspiration in a chestnut mare named Scheherazade, whose stable held a captivating blend of scents. The intoxicating aroma of horse manure, combined with straw, wood, and other stable notes, sparked an idea that would become Paddock.
In her quest to capture this unique scent, Nagel borrowed a headspace capture machine to collect and profile aromatic molecules from various objects. This technology allows technicians to take molecules from various sources and reconstruct scents in a laboratory.
The result is a refined aromatic elegy to everything Nagel loves about spending time in a stable. Paddock opens with a cloud of honeyed hay and beeswax, bolstered by herbal and amber notes. As it settles, the scent dissolves into a nutty, earthy leather, reminiscent of a well-worn saddle.
Paddock is bottled in a lantern-shaped flacon and topped with a saddle-stitch leather cap. The perfume is only available at a handful of elite equestrian events, including Saut Hermès, adding to its exclusivity.
Interestingly, Paddock was initially given the codename Crottin Délicieux (Delicious Manure). Despite its unusual name, the scent has received positive reactions from both horsey and non-horsey friends whenever Nagel spritzes it.
Christine Nagel joined Hermès in 2014, and her connection to the brand's equestrian roots has only grown stronger. Her fear of horses, which she once had, has been replaced by a newfound appreciation for these magnificent animals. As she noted, "like a fragrance, horses can unleash precious memories."
Kim Parker, a London-based journalist specializing in jewellery, fashion, and watches, wrote extensively about Paddock for our platform and other titles such as Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, The Times, and The Telegraph.
Hermès was founded in 1837 as a maker of equestrian harnesses and saddles. The animal is an inextricable part of Hermès' legacy, and Paddock is a testament to that. The fragrance serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things in life are found in the most unexpected places.
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