Stéphane Rolland & Henry Jacques The Scent of a Fated Encounter . . Some encounters feel written in the stars. When the worlds of Haute Couture and Haute Parfumerie collide, the result is more than just a product—it’s a story. This is the tale of designer Stéphane Rolland and Anne-Lise Cremona of the prestigious fragrance house Henry Jacques, a creative union a decade in the making.
Stéphane Rolland x Henry Jacques
More than just a partnership, their new four-handed creation is the perfume of a shared vision, born from deeply personal emotions and convictions. It’s an invitation into an intimate world where a fated meeting is translated into a remarkable fragrance.
[Image: A dramatic, artistic shot of the perfume bottle alongside a piece of Stéphane Rolland’s couture.]
A Meeting of Minds and Memories . Stéphane Rolland
As far back as he can remember, designer Stéphane Rolland has had a profound relationship with perfume. A self-proclaimed enthusiast, he has spent a lifetime exploring the world of scent.
“In the 70s, I was testing everything, incapable of staying faithful to a single fragrance,” Rolland recalls. “I mixed my own compositions, layered scents, or deliberately wore leather notes in winter, challenging conventions.” His passion is so great, he admits to having an entire piece of furniture devoted exclusively to his perfume collection—a protective cocoon that accompanies him through life.
Meanwhile, Anne-Lise Cremona, the head of Henry Jacques, was passionately preserving the legacy of Haute Parfumerie, blending timeless tradition with modern innovation.
When the two finally met, the connection was instant and undeniable. “He was flamboyant, yet disarmingly sensitive,” Cremona explains, still moved by the memory. “I saw in him a rare delicacy and profound humanity.”
For his part, Rolland felt the same spark. “I knew immediately that we would create something together. It was such a powerful and unique moment.”
Despite this instant rapport, their paths evolved in parallel for ten years. With mutual admiration, they occasionally crossed paths through shared clients, each recognizing a kindred spirit in the other’s work. It wasn’t until 2025 that the timing was finally right—a reflection of two souls ready to speak in one voice through a single, masterfully crafted perfume.
Stéphane Rolland x Henry Jacques Haute Couture & Haute Parfumerie: Speaking the Same Language
Stéphane Rolland and Anne-Lise Cremona are uncompromising visionaries, driven by a love for the sublime. In their world, fleeting trends are ignored in favor of cultivated intuition and an absolute devotion to exceptional artistry.
The link between their two crafts is more than just a metaphor. For Cremona, the principles of Haute Couture are the closest parallel to the artistry at Henry Jacques.
“The official criteria for 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.”
In essence, they speak the same language of excellence. “This adventure only exists because it is her, and it is me,” affirms Rolland. Their collaboration is a dialogue between two disciplines fighting to uphold tradition while bravely embracing the future. “Sometimes, I feel like we are fighters,” Stéphane confides. “We fight for what we believe in.”
A Creative Journey of Self-Discovery
For Rolland, creating a perfume was a process he thought he understood. It mirrored designing a couture gown: starting with a foundational fabric and elevating it with contrasts, structures, and movement.
Yet, this journey was entirely unexpected and deeply introspective. “I felt like a child learning to read or write again,” he admits. The Henry Jacques method forced him to revisit memories, reconnect with his past, and rediscover aromas he once thought he disliked. “It was somewhere between therapy and a gastronomic course,” he says with a smile.
Through this process, Rolland felt he was returning to his origins, to the inner landscapes that shaped him. “For once in my life, I am embracing the fullest extent of myself. Perfume was the missing element in my expression… To reach my true self, I needed this creation.”
[Image: Close-up shot of raw perfume ingredients like vanilla beans, incense resin, and rose petals.]
Deconstructing the Scent: A Perfume of Memories
Stéphane Rolland envisioned this fragrance as his unapologetic signature—magnetic, elegant, and unmistakably him. The result is a chypre and oriental fragrance that serves as an invitation to nomadism, embodying his free spirit.
The Opening: A Burst of Sun
The fragrance opens with the juicy vibrance of sun-kissed oranges. While Rolland isn’t typically drawn to citrus, this note swept him back to childhood memories of his father’s bar and the scent of homemade fruit punch in crystal carafes.
The Heart: Sacred Incense and Sophisticated Florals
This solar brightness is quickly enveloped in a protective, almost sacred cocoon of incense. The note evokes the mystic atmosphere of temples in the Middle East, places where Rolland found serenity and creative inspiration. Following the incense, warm and delicate honeyed notes of HJ Rose de Mai and Turkish Rose exude a timeless sophistication.
The Base: Earthy Warmth and a Surprising Twist
The dry-down is a journey in itself. Deep tobacco, earthy iris, and patchouli ground the fragrance, reminding Rolland of his travels in South America and the West Indies. Finally, the ambery softness of benzoin meets a revelation: a powdery, green vanilla with subtle leathery undertones. Far from being overly sweet, it complements the incense perfectly, creating a gentle, long-lasting trail that nods to classic French perfumery.
“Only Henry Jacques possesses the subtlety and dedication to such intricate details, with a level of refinement that is almost lost today,” concludes Stéphane.
The Final Form: Les Essences & Les Brumes
As a tribute to the house’s legacy and innovative spirit, the fragrance is offered in two of Henry Jacques’ signature variations:
- Les Essences: With exceptional concentration, this format offers the purest expression of the scent—nature at its most unadulterated and alive.
- Les Brumes: A lighter, more playful experience, this format features Henry Jacques’ patented interchangeable tops, allowing for either a traditional splash or a modern spray application.
This collaboration is more than just a perfume. It is a shared manifesto, a self-portrait in scent, and a testament to the enduring power of artistry, emotion, and fated encounters.
