Two parallel worlds, seemingly miles apart, suddenly cross paths. Beneath their differences lies a shared vision: choosing freedom at all costs; for one is never as powerful as when least expected.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

Ousmane Dembélé is celebrated for his remarkable ability to create, surprise, and disrupt – always bringing the unexpected to the pitch. What is lesser known about him is his rare sensitivity, and his remarkable maturity both on and off the field. He has a natural sense of discretion, yet a way of leading driven by consistency, rigour and team spirit.

A collector at heart, from an early age Dembélé developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, for what is built with precision, discipline and patience; for noble and pure materials. He is passionate about heritage and with a refined taste in fashion, he leaves nothing to chance, choosing to work with houses that are highly considered and ‘quiet’, such as Zegna. He has always been drawn to perfumes: how they evoke special memories and how they are companions for life’s most precious moments.

Now, a personal and unexpected encounter between Henry Jacques and Dembélé has begun a new creative chapter.

BELIEVE. EXPERIENCE AND RESILIENCE

In both the worlds of football and perfume, rules are established, rhythms are dictated, expectations set. And yet, other paths do exist. To take them, one must first believe in their dreams.

For Ousmane Dembélé, he dreamt of a football career from the start and had a clear vision of his destiny. He pushed hard and joined a club capable of helping him grow over time rather than burning bright for just a moment, accepting going beyond the role assigned to him for the good of the collective, and turned down countless opportunities to stay aligned with his values.

For Henry Jacques, dreams take the form of a commitment to Haute Parfumerie: to keep the craft alive, to stay true to tradition and savoir-faire, and to push against the tide of a market driven by mass production and synthetic compositions. To choose Essences in a world dominated by sprays and to open its own boutiques, when multi-brand distribution prevails.

Henry Jacques and Dembélé share the same philosophy about moving forward – a way of believing and building with perseverance, driven by an unwavering vision.

RECOGNITION AND RENAISSANCE

With time, what once seemed like a bold bet, pays off. Ousmane Dembélé performs at the highest level with exceptional freedom and raw creativity. In 2025, he was crowned the world’s best player, winning one of football’s most remarkable accolades, and is helping Paris Saint Germain win trophy after trophy. This marks a new start for Dembélé – a personal renaissance, where least expected.

On the team bus, headphones on, gazing out of the window, he is seen repeating a discreet perfume ritual. In the dressing room, teammates gather around a small object d’art containing a solid perfume that he takes from his locker. He never boards a plane without a few small flacons, and is often seen stepping out of a car with a fragrance pouch in hand.

Dembélé shares Henry Jacques’ spirit of Art-de-Vivre, where fragrances become companions to moods and moments. The collections converse with one another. The gestures evolve. The accessories become part of everyday life, in motion.

Ousmane Dembélé finds in Henry Jacques a natural resonance, allowing him to pursue his desire for reinvention and enrich his olfactive wardrobe, guided by instinct, high standards, and freedom in his approach.