For those who know the rhythm of hooves and the scent of sun-warmed hay, the atmosphere of the stables evokes something almost sacred. Riders, even after their lessons, often linger in their gear—not out of habit, but for the joy of holding onto that rich, enveloping aroma of the equestrian world. That same intoxicating ambiance has now been distilled into a singular scent—Paddock, the latest eau de parfum by Hermès, envisioned by the brand’s master perfumer and Creative Director, Christine Nagel.
Inspired by a chance encounter with Hermès Ryan, a horse backstage at Le Saut Hermès—the maison’s prestigious annual showjumping event—Nagel set out to capture the olfactory magic of the moment. She described the horse’s scent not just as one note, but as a full symphony: woody, botanical, and warmly animalic. “It’s not just the horse,” she explains, “but also the straw and hay, the saddle leather, the wax, the liniments, even the manure—and yes, even that was delightful.”
Nagel approached Paddock not as a perfume of contrivance, but of recollection. This is scent as story, an aromatic memoir of the stables. The formula draws on notes evocative of the feed box—barley, oats, and dried fruit treats—woven into a framework of leather, polished wood, and pine tar traditionally used in hoof embrocations. What could seem raw or rustic becomes refined and poetic under her hand, an elegant interpretation of equestrian life that is as sensual as it is sincere.
Poet Jean-Louis Gouraud once mused that the scent of “straw rolls”—manure, but fragrant and fresh like pastries on a sheet—had a kind of visceral nostalgia. With Paddock, Nagel creates the perfumed equivalent of Proust’s madeleine: a quiet jolt of memory, rooted in place and passion, that opens the floodgates of emotion.
To celebrate the launch for Saut Hermès 2025, the house has collaborated with Chinese artist Tong Ren. His design, Cheval natté, wraps the iconic lantern-shaped bottle in a stylized braid of horsehair, a symbol of grace and strength, further anchoring the fragrance in equestrian heritage.
More than a perfume, Paddock is an embrace of the stable—a composition that speaks not only to equestrians but also to those who find joy in nature’s complexity. In its earthy elegance lies the soul of Hermès, where craft, memory, and emotion ride in harmony.
