As far back as he can remember, Stéphane Rolland always had a unique relationship with perfume. Guided by instinct and a desire to learn, he constantly evolves in his choice of fragrances. ‘In the 70s, I was testing everything, incapable of staying faithful to a single fragrance. I mixed my own compositions, layered scents, or deliberately wore leather notes in winter, challenging conventions" he recalls. He even admits to having an entire piece of furniture devoted exclusively to his perfume collection. An integral part of his life, perfume has become an essential companion, a protective cocoon which envelops him throughout the day or while roaming the world.

In the 2010s, Anne-Lise Cremona, fully aware of the inherited treasure entrusted to her, was preparing to ensure that Haute Parfumerie remain vibrantly alive and in tune with her time, blending tradition and innovation.

When she met Stéphane Rolland, it was two emotions, two passions coming together—a tacit understanding, a natural, simple, and genuine connection. “He was flamboyant, yet disarmingly sensitive. I saw in him a rare delicacy and profound humanity.” she explains, still moved. For his part, Stéphane vividly recalls their first meeting: “I knew immediately that we would create something together. It was such a powerful and unique moment’’.

However, the paths of Stéphane Rolland and Anne-Lise Cremona evolved in parallel for a long time. Sharing the same sensitivity to beauty and viewing excellence as evidence, they each followed their respective journeys with quiet admiration and mutual respect — occasionally pleasantly surprised to encounter each other’s creations at their own clients’ places.

It took ten years for their paths to cross again — perhaps the time needed for each to rebuild, to find peace, to align. In 2025, it becomes clear: the moment has come to create together. A reflection of two souls ready to speak in one voice through a four-handed perfume.

Stéphane Rolland and Anne-Lise Cremona are uncompromising visionaries—true to themselves, driven by their love for the sublime. In their world, there are no rules, no fleeting trends, just cultivated intuitive visions and an absolute devotion to the art of the exceptional.

Anne-Lise Cremona often speaks of Haute Parfumerie, not as a metaphor, but because Haute Couture offers the closest existing parallel to describe the level of creativity and artistry at Henry Jacques. The official criteria for Haute Couture, as defined by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, mirror the very foundations of the Maison’s craft: bespoke creations, with intimacy and a sense of service as paramount, artistic freedom, the use of the finest materials, and the mastery of traditional techniques imbued with innovative concepts — all brought to life, by hand, within a French atelier, wholly owned and operated by the house, with a spirit of family and care.

In essence, Stéphane and Anne-Lise speak the same language. ‘‘This adventure only exists because it is her, and it is me,’’ affirms Stéphane.

For Stéphane Rolland, creating a perfume is akin to designing an Haute Couture piece: starting with a foundation, a fabric, and then elevating it through a subtle dance of contrasts and nuances, of structures and movements—where emotion transforms into volumes and textures, giving life to the intangible.

And yet, despite how familiar the process should have felt, it was entirely unexpected, singular, introspective—and somewhat unsettling for Stéphane Rolland. “I felt like a child learning to read or write again” he admits. Working with Henry Jacques was embracing a distinctive, deeply sensory, and emotional approach. He revisited memories, reconnected fragments of his past, drew new parallels between his experiences, and felt powerful sensations, rediscovering aromas he once thought he disliked. "It was somewhere between therapy and a gastronomic course" he said, amused.

In the process, he came to know himself anew— returning to his origins, to the inner landscapes that had shaped him. “For once in my life, I am embracing the fullest extent of myself. Perfume was the missing element in my expression. Perhaps it was destiny—perhaps it was always meant to unfold this way. To reach my true self, I needed this creation” he said.

For Stéphane, this perfume had to be the exact reflection not only of who he is, like a self-portrait, but also of what he has built. “I do it for me. I do it for others. Just as I have dedicated my life in Haute Couture to women, I dedicate this fragrance to anyone willing to embrace the emotions and convictions bottled within.”

A PERFUME OF EMOTIONS

Stéphane Rolland envisioned this fragrance as his signature—unapologetic, magnetic, and unmistakably him.

The fragrance opens with the juicy vibrance of sun-kissed oranges—an unexpected choice for Stéphane Rolland, who is not usually drawn to citrus. Yet these notes swept him back to childhood memories: sneaking into his father’s bar, inhaling the scents from crystal carafes filled with homemade punch.

Then, incense envelops this burst of sun in a protective - and almost sacred - cocoon, giving the fragrance a profound elegance. The scent of incense evokes for Stéphane Rolland the mystic atmosphere of temples. Places where he felt safe and found the serenity necessary to let his imagination flourish. His time in the Middle East was a story of love at first sight—a spiritual and creative revelation that deeply influenced both his perfume sensibility and his artistic journey.

In the trail of incense, warm and delicate honey notes of HJ Rose de Mai and Turkish rose beautifully exude sophistication. Then deep tobacco and earthy iris and patchouli carry a grounded character to the fragrance. It reminds him of his teenage years, traveling in South America and the West Indies where all the scents were transformed by the humid atmosphere.

Finally, the ambery softness and delicate spices of benzoin encounter the powdery, green notes of vanilla. Balanced, with subtle leathery notes, this vanilla perfectly complements the incense, creating a long-lasting and gentle trail. It was a true revelation for Stéphane. Far from being overly sweet, its velvety notes remind him of his early years in Paris —a nod to the traditional elegance of French perfumery.

A chypre and oriental fragrance, a true invitation to nomadism, embodying Stéphane’s free spirit, blending a hint of impertinence to cultivate boldness, while offering a comforting and lasting softness.

‘‘Only Henry Jacques possesses the subtlety and dedication to such intricate details, with a level of refinement that is almost lost today. Yet, paradoxically, their creations remain pure and essential” concludes Stéphane.

Henry Jacques’ variations Les Essences and Les Brumes were chosen for this perfume as a tribute to Henry Jacques’ legacy and innovative spirit. Given their exceptional concentration, Les Essences offer nature at its best, unadulterated, alive. Les Brumes provide a more playful, enveloping experience, allowed by their patented interchangeable tops for either a splash or spray application.