Perfumer Christine Nagel talks us through her moodboard for the new Tutti Twilly d'Hermès
New girl in town.
In anticipation of Tutti Twilly d'Hermès' launch in Malaysia, L'Officiel caught up with perfumer Christine Nagel as she shared everything about the new scent – from its ginger heart to youthful exuberance.
As the nose behind Twilly, how has the journey been for you so far? Do you still remember how it all began?
It’s quite difficult to summarise my life’s journey and passion in just a few sentences. But the main gist is that I discovered my calling relatively late through the emotion and indescribable pleasure that fragrances evoked in those around me. Then I couldn’t rest until I had become a perfumer, constantly learning, experimenting and perfecting my knowledge. I wasn’t afraid to take risks. And some wonderful encounters have marked my life. Admittedly, the most beautiful one has been my encounter with Hermès. Hermès’ values are imbued with humanity, freedom and diversity. They nourish my everyday work and creativity.
Why was ginger selected as the primary note for Twilly? How does it set the tone for Twilly?
I worked with ginger to satisfy my unbridled love of its flavour. With Twilly, I decided to make it my framework, my canvas, like a reflection of silk. Its fibrous side underpins and supports my creation. I worked it in great abundance, giving it a burning, acerbic side despite it typically being used as a ‘trace’ ingredient for its refreshing characteristics. Ginger is without a doubt one of the more multi-faceted raw materials that inspire me to look at a project from fresh perspectives. It’s spicy in Twilly Eau Poivrée and candied in Twilly Eau Ginger.
I genuinely thought I’d explored every aspect of it. But then I discovered ginger blossom in a totally unexpected way. The blossom tastes undeniably like ginger, but with a softer, gentler flavour that is perhaps more refined.
In what way does the new Tutti Twilly embody the charm and heritage of Hermès?
Tutti Twilly is not just a fragrance but a frame of mind that embodies the spirit of youth that has inhabited Hermès since its creation. Hermès is a uniquely creative, vibrant and unpredictable house whose freedom and boldness are the epitome of youth. It is the signature of a house that plays freely with time and mischievously subverts its own codes to commune with the immediacy of the present.
Can you walk us through the creative process of dreaming up Tutti Twilly? What was on the moodboard?
I probably wouldn’t have distilled this promise of fascinating women if I hadn’t been able to extract new expressions from the fragrance.
This creation was unpredictable, but two things gave me the irresistible urge to create Tutti Twilly: first of all, the realisation that the story of these young women will never come to an end, and that the budding femininity of each new generation expresses creativity, ingenuity, and a uniquely youthful spirit. At the same time and utterly by chance, I stumbled across a new expression of ginger: ginger blossom.
If Tutti Twilly were a girl…
She’s a girl of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
She harnesses the power and joy of being a woman.
She is at a stage in her life – as brief as it is intense – where everything is possible.
If you were a Twilly, which one would you be?
That’s like asking me which of my children I prefer! Each of my creations corresponds to a moment, a necessity... I love them all and wouldn’t disown a single one.
Tutti Twilly D’Hermès Eau de Parfum will be available from 1 September 2023 at Hermés boutique, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Hermés counters in Parkson.
