Refresh Yourself With a Dash (or Two) of Hermès

   Back in 2006, Hermès debuted Terre d'Hermès, a crisp, flinty, masculine fragrance created by the label's celebrated in-house perfumer, Jean-Claude Ellena. We here at Fashion As a 2nd Language were practically present at the birth of Terre (you can read our account of it here), so we perked up our ears when Hermès announced the arrival of a sibling with a strapping big name: Terre d'Hermès Eau Très Fraîche. Translated loosely from the fullsome language of French perfumery, that simply means "refreshing water from the realm of Hermès." Refreshing water, indeed –– with a delicious smell.

   Having written about fragrance ad nauseum for many years (including the general cheapening of many formulas, and the lamentable rise of so-called "celebrity" perfumes), we now make it standard practice to discount press materials that attempt to conjure olfactory poetry. Instead, we apply the simplest and most basic of criteria: Does a perfume (or cologne, or eau de quelquechose) smell good? In the case of Terre d'Hermès Eau Très Fraîche, the answer is, yes, it smells very good. Even better, it smells distinctive –– a bit like its brother, Terre d'Hermès, but with bursts of grapefruit, orange, something woodsy, and, best of all, something salty, like the warm skin of a man at the beach. If you still need a Father's Day gift, this would make a nice one. And, if a bottle happens to find its way onto your bathroom vanity, so much the better. As always, we suggest visiting your nearest fragrance shop and trying it for yourself. Happy spritzing!

Photograph by Mark Grischke

Each and Every Day Should be a Day of Hermès

Jean-Claude Ellena is the creator of some remarkable fragrances, including Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, for Bulgari; Osmanthus, for The Different Company; and Terre d'Hermès, for Hermès (of course), where he's currently the in-house "nose" and resident perfumer. His style has an element of nouvelle cuisine about it, eschewing hearty traditionalism for the transparency–and zest–of fresh-from-the-garden fare. We mean that literally: his latest scent, Jour d'Hermès, conjures up not just flowers, but an entire kitchen garden planted just beyond the windows and basking in the sun. So, while a quick first spritz of Jour d'Hermès suggests lily of the valley (along with the sharp, vegetable tang of tomato stems), followed by gardenia, rose and (perhaps) hyacinth, there's also a tenacious presence (with hints of cucumber, sage and even olive oil) that grows stronger and stronger as the other notes dry down. Gradually, a familiar, soap-scrubbed personality takes shape, and you realize someone else is in the room–perhaps a parent, sibling, grandparent or spouse. Ultimately, it's the smell of warmth, love, cooking and the comforts of home. In other words, chez soi.

Photograph by Noël Sutherland

Hot Child In the City: A Sizzling Swimwear Review

As much as we love the beach, we can still appreciate the undeniable sultriness of an August weekend spent in the city. To avoid overheating, drink plenty of liquids; keep exertion to a minimum; and, of course, wear as little as possible. Modern swimwear offers every option, from low-cut racers to swim shorts finished so nicely, you could walk around town in them. In other words, how much to bare is for you to decide.

Swim shorts by T Christopher. Sunglasses by Blinde. Sandals by DSquared. Beach blanket by Hermès. In this portfolio: Hair by Davide Marinelli at De Berardinis. Model: Bart G at Ford Models. Photographs by Noël Sutherland. Produced and styled by Mark Grischke for FA2L.

Low-rise Paradiso swimsuit by Kyle King. Rose-gold-and-turquoise necklace by TendenZa.

Multicolored Cabo swim trunks by 2(X)IST.  Stainless-steel watch by Omega.

Lavender-striped swim trunks with side pockets by Kyle King. Suede sandals by Hermès. 

Square-cut swimsuit by T Christopher. Leather-and-gold bracelet (worn on wrist) by H. Stern.

Life's Little Luxuries: Hermès Beach Towels

At Fashion As a 2nd Language, we have a not-so-short list of current (and ongoing) obsessions: beautiful shoes; perfect jeans; and most things made by Hermès. We also love the beach, and all the accoutrements necessary for long days spent in the sun near the shore. So it naturally follows that we're crazy about these large Hermès beach towels (beach blankets, really–they're almost six feet square) and own them in every color: turquoise, citron, orange and fuchsia. They pack easily into a big bag and, when spread out together on the sand, create a wonderful, terry cloth crash pad for anything from groups of six or eight to much more intimate parties of two. See you at the beach!

Photograph by Ron Reeves

The House of Orange: Fashion & Luxury Royalty

Sometimes, it's just about the shoes–in this case, a canvas peep-toe bootie on a stacked heel and platform, trimmed in orange leather, buckled up the back and laced up the front. Who makes it? Isn't it obvious? There ought to be a Pantone color named Hermès orange...

Wonderful Luck of the Irish (Or is it the French?)

With both St. Patrick's Day and the first day of Spring looming (and assuming everyone needs extra luck around tax time) FA2L reminds readers that not everything chez Hermès costs a king's ransom–this chic little key chain is available online for just $140. As to whether a four-leaf clover (or its handmade leather equivalent) will actually improve your chances of winning at cards, getting ahead at work or being lucky in love, who knows why particular superstitions take hold of our imaginations and never let go? What's certain is that such a talisman, offered as a present, carries built-in wishes for all good things. And that's a charming thought, in more ways than one.

A Little Bit of Scotland Plus a Lot of French Flair

The French house of Hermès is famous for its printed silk scarves and ties, but the company's menswear designer, Véronique Nichanian, also creates unusual accessories such as ties made of leather, cotton-and-silk or marvelously-textured wool tweed. FA2L loves this go-to-hell version of a Scottish plaid, complete with fringed edges and bright colors. It's the perfect bit of dash for any stylish man: traditional enough, but not so much that he'll want to play the bagpipes; and very, very chic. It's hanging in Hermès stores now (at a reasonable price, considering the tags on adjacent items) so snap one up while you can. And remember how nice those orange boxes look next to birthday cakes, peeking out of Christmas stockings or piled up under the tree.

The House, and Wardrobe, That Luxury Built

Hermès is justly famous for its leather bags, its silk scarves and ties, and its fragrances. Most men, however, are surprised to learn that every six months, Hermès also offers up a new line of clothing, shoes and accessories. That's because these collections, presented during the twice-yearly Paris men's runway shows, are relatively subdued: they don't offer the headline-grabbing theatrics, gimmicks, or flights of fancy the fashion press loves (and the popular press loves to hate). This doesn't mean the clothes lack drama, but it's cloaked, hidden in the fabrics, details and special care lavished on their construction. This is stealth luxury at its finest, made all the more desirable because these items won't end up in every mall around the world. They're only sold in Hermès shops (or shops-within-a-shop), and few Hermès boutiques carry the full line.

Véronique Nichanian is head menswear designer for Hermès, and the creative force behind its collections. She's loved fabric ever since she was a little girl, when she drove her mother to distraction buying bolts of cloth and lugging them back to the family's Paris apartment. It was a natural choice for her to study women's fashion design at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, but, after graduating, she took a position as Nino Cerruti's assistant and plunged into the world of men's tailoring. Cerrutti introduced her to every facet of the menswear market, and was as passionate about fine fabrics as she was--perhaps even more so. One challenge led to another, and before she realized it, she'd been with Cerrutti 11 years. Then a certain man named Jean-Louis Dumas-Hermès came calling, and her fate was sealed.

Nichanian has been at Hermès some 20 years now, but she seems as enthusiastic as a novice fresh out of school (which may account for her looking a fraction of her age, as well). She obviously loves designing for the Hermès man--a discerning customer who, in her mind, ranges from age 18 to 80. She's not interested in flashy, disposable fashion: her clothes are meant to be kept for years, acquiring a certain patina and the "set" of the man who wears them. Because Hermès is a true luxury house (one of the last), cost is no object, and Nichanian is given free rein to shop the world for the best silks, leathers, woolens or whatever material obsession has inspired a collection. Of course, the final results, from perfect cashmere-and-silk scarves to buttery reindeer-skin jackets, are often very expensive (another reason the clothing isn't widely available), but any man who loves beautiful things should make a point of familiarizing himself with Nichanian's wardrobe suggestions. They're sure to offer great satisfaction for many years to come.

www.hermes.com