The L'Ambre des Merveilles Hermès x Wissam Shawkat launch event
Discovering the power of scent in the Arabian desert
Hermès are reinventing its scent L'Ambre des Merveilles for the GCC in a very bespoke way – the French heritage label has enlisted Wissam Shawkat for his incredible calligraphy skills. Shawkat created unique Arabic type for the special edition bottle, which Hermès celebrated with a small group of insiders on Wednesday evening.
Special guest Jean-Claude Ellena – Hermès 'nose' and exclusive in-house perfumer – flew in for the event, and told the small crowd "If it wasn't for Arabia – the perfume's creator – I wouldn't have a job, so I thank you and your region."
Wissam created the calligraphy is his own 'Wissam' style he explained to Buro 24/7 during an intimate calligraphy workshop at the event. This marks the first time the luxury fashion house has partnered with an Arab talent for the GCC, so Wissam certainly has a lot to be proud for. Wissam's workshop followed a perfume lesson from maestro Jean-Claude, who demonstrated to guests that mixing apple with cotton candy gives strawberry, and various other "nose trickery" combinations. Buro 24/7 asked Jean-Claude what his favourite scent in the world was, to which he replied after careful consideration "truffle!"
After the incredibly inspiring workshop and talks the crowd gathered for an intimate dinner beneath a cave-like roof, feasting on traditional Arabic delicacies, a soup with truffle oil (which must have pleased Jean-Claude) and perfectly pink lamb rack.
