Hermes’ ‘nose’ offers a peek into the mysterious world of perfume creation

CHRISTINE Nagel has possibly one of the nicest jobs in the world.

As Hermes’ “nose”, or perfume artist, Nagel is responsible for concocting scents for the French luxury brand. Not only that, she has what she describes as the “most beautiful office” on the top floor of a building near Faubourg Saint Honore, Paris’ famous shopping street.

Her penthouse perch overlooking the City of Lights also holds her lab, and only two others have access to it – her assistant and Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the artistic director of Hermes.