Heritage
A house, in its own words
In 1980 Italian‑Belgian designers Pascale and Enzo Amaddeo opened a boutique in Nice that specialized in high‑end costume jewelry. Their pieces, often rendered in enamel and semi‑precious stones, quickly attracted a clientele that appreciated both craftsmanship and storytelling. By the early 1990s the couple began experimenting with scent, seeking a medium that could convey the same narrative depth as a jeweled brooch. The first fragrance, a limited‑edition scent released in 1995, was presented in a bottle capped with a miniature replica of one of their signature pendants, establishing a visual link that would become a hallmark of the brand. A move to Paris in 2005 placed the house within the capital’s perfume district, allowing collaborations with independent French perfumers and access to a broader range of raw materials. In 2010 the brand launched a dedicated perfume line under the Les Néréides name, separating the fragrance portfolio from the jewelry collection while retaining the same aesthetic principles. The 2019 release of Patchouli Antique marked the first fragrance to be marketed without a jewelry counterpart, signalling confidence in the scent line’s independent identity. Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of the catalogue, with multiple 2024‑2025 launches such as Casse‑Noisette and Musc Héliodore, each accompanied by bespoke bottle designs that reference the house’s ornamental roots. Throughout four decades, Les Néréides has maintained a consistent narrative: a celebration of femininity expressed through both metal and aroma, anchored in the mythic image of sea nymphs that first gave the house its name. The creative vision at Les Néréides rests on a dialogue between visual art and scent. Drawing on the myth of the Greek sea nymphs, the house treats each fragrance as a miniature tableau, a story that unfolds on the skin much like a piece of jewelry unfolds on the body. The brand values authenticity, choosing ingredients that can be traced to their origin and that complement the decorative language of its designs. Rather than chasing trends, the house favors timeless motifs—shells, pearls, and soft pastel hues—that echo its jewelry heritage. Collaboration with perfumers is approached as a partnership; the scent creator is invited to interpret a specific visual cue, whether a particular enamel shade or a gemstone cut, resulting in a fragrance that feels like an olfactory extension of a physical object. Sustainability also informs the philosophy: sourcing of natural extracts follows responsible harvesting practices, and packaging is designed for reuse or recycling, reflecting the house’s respect for the materials that shape both its jewelry and its perfumes.