Declaration

Those new to the world of perfumes, or perhaps only keen on the world of fashion or jewelry, would likely understandably assume a masculine marketed eau de toilette from a brand like Cartier, known far more for its exquisite jewelry, would give us something that smells like their brand aesthetic and style: modern and elegant, with a touch of gaudiness that always stays firmly on the side understatement, and cold and shimmering well-polished metals and jewels. Translated to roughly what the perfume equivalent would be: cold and icy, yet diffusive and inviting - plenty of bergamot or citrus, probably some aldehydes, bright spicy woods, elegant and high-quality materials juxtaposed of only just slightly conflicted natures in such a way to create prismatic colors like precious gems. Even today with the superbly talented Mathilde Laurent at the helm, Cartier emphasizes its style in its jewelry more than its perfumes, the latter of which the brand is surprisingly quiet on given the tremendous talents they've employed over the years. Declaration has been lauded as one of the best masculines of the last 30 years, widely considered to be one of Jean-Claude Ellena's best compositions. It is a good timeline-marker for his transition to a minimalist style and his launching from renowned perfumer into superstardom status. All of this considered, in other words, newbs would likely have a strong feeling what this will smell like before they spray it. And they'd likely be wrong. The initial sprays result in a massive and diffusive cloud of tissue paper thin and crinkly bergamot and bitter orange - bitter... very bitter. Only very slightly sour, the citrus accord comes across so dry and void of their typical juicy life-giving energy that they feel like bones-turned-to-dust blowing with a dry wind. Then comes the cardamom, loads of it. Pungent, aromatic, and equally dry and tissue-paper-like as the citrus, it is the star of this fragrance propping up the top citrus accord so very gently before the dry down happens then it simply takes over. As we proceed to the second dry down, highly green and aromatic but slightly swampy vetiver becomes the cardamom's dance partner and they slowly and delicately weave in and out of each other over the perfume's remaining time. Incredibly evocative and interesting, it is also bizarre. This is Kerala in a bottle. It smells like India with its exotic spices and vetiver fields. Who would wear this? Besides someone from India, I suppose. I can't imagine Cartier's typical clientele, especially in the late 1990s, wanting anything to do with this perfume. However, Declaration owes more than a little to Eau d'Hermes, which is remarkably similar in its use of Eastern spice, bergamot, leathers and animalics. This feels like JCE's homage to Roudnitska's classic, done in his own signature JCE style - perhaps resurrecting an old, novel idea during a time when that idea wasn't exactly in fashion. For that reason, its determination to be daring, bold, weird, highly alluring yet challenging, and for its absolutely masterful composition, I completely adore it.

The thing I like most about Cartier’s Declaration is its shape, which is more like a tracing of a space that is filled up with aromatic materials, which drift and swerve throughout wear. In sudden and spontaneous moments, everything comes into alignment: it is order amongst the most minimal form of chaos. That is, you can detect the gentle imposition of a form that respects the natural state and tendency of things. It is more of a coaxing than a command. Declaration is a minimally structured perfume, and to great effect. It sweeps with its torrent of spices; a wind that carries the smell of cardamom, black pepper, cumin, ginger, caraway, cinnamon, and coriander seed to become a vortex where cold chases hot and hot chases cold. Refreshed with bitter orange, the pith and zest of this citrus fruit is scratched by the woody raspy surface of this fragrance, releasing vaporous oils upon contact. The spices soften the wood, dredging it in an aromatic bouillon or briney infusion. Its development is impressively punctual, as it flits with quiet dramatic flourishes. Jean-Claude Ellena labours to ensure that these ingredients flow in the same direction, while enabling Declaration to expand. Much of Ellena’s stylistic and technical hallmarks are on display in Declaration, as is his love for ISO-E Super and Hedione. Declaration is a woody perfume above all else, made of cedar and vetiver, rendered transparent and approaching weightlessness. Ellena masterfully hollows out the core of this wood, mobilising its spicy materials as they rush in and filling up this now empty space. It is like a gas rapidly filling up a container, so they reach equilibrium. Even more, Ellena is able to hide surprises in a perfume so starkly illuminated; as if a room made completely of glass manages to host secrets. Declaration does not dry down per se - it rather repeats its structure in a reiterative way. I have always maintained that it is a Mobius strip for this reason. As one spirals through aromatic herbs and spices, woods, and citrus notes, all of this is coated in a floral-musk made of hedione, iris molecules, and tannic tea-like notes. It is known that Ellena is a Pascalian. Here the esprit de géométrie works upon the esprit de finesse - and it is only with later work that we find that Ellena has gained the confidence to work with less. Finesse, of course, the skill and reserve to let materials ‘be’.

Freshly crushed dried coriander seeds & freshly squeezed lemon.. extra sour, bright citrusy, and peppery ..the opening is like a nuclear blast fills the place in seconds! ...extremely classy.. very formal... I bought it the first time when i was very young maybe 17, and always thought that this fragrance would suit me more when I get a job after graduation!.. It's PERFECT for the office... it has the vibe of the early mornings on the weekdays .. getting dressed ..preparing coffee thermos .. spraying some of this beauty ..perfect start..fresh, active, classy 👌 it is the perfect example of the "OFFICE" / old-school fragrance type...It does belong to the same category as Terre dHermes EDT but with loads of sharp bitterness..sourness ..extra fragrant coriander seeds, less black pepper, and without the candied semi-sweet orange peel note in dry-down as in Terre D Hermes EDT.. they are different but both fill the same gap classy ..mature, elegant..chic. My mother used to tell me: you smell like a VIP... Declaration was my Mom'S favorite more than the other fragrances I owned ...wearing it was enough to put a BIG smile on her face and receive the 1st compliment... I noticed that women love/admire this fragrance so much! Performance? Back then 15+ years ago the performance was very good I don't know about nowadays batches.. it used to project heavily during the first hour..& last all day on clothes.. a very clean dry down on the skin for 6 hours .. a very good performance IMO. Price? I repurchased it many times (with the masterpiece Must De Cartier Pour Homme🧡) ...I guess Declaration edt is cheaper now around 80$... unfortunately Must De Cartier pour Homme is discontinued! Sad it's a CRIME!!! Definitely blind buy safe fragrance 100% classy elegant unique fragrance and unique amazing bottle design /atomizer! I LOVE IT.. 9/10 Update: I recently tested the Parfum version.. it's richer and sweeter... same scent but enhanced . I recommend the edt in the morning because it's fresher & lighter it suits the office more... the Parfum denser & smells more like an occasion fragrance suits evening time and cold weather... both are great👍

This perfume, which made the name of the Cartier brand in the world of perfumes, is the timeless perfume, and the icon of the world of perfumes. Rather, it is the truly legendary perfume.A must-have for every perfume lover. It is not possible to create an aromatic creativity and a dazzling masterpiece in this unbelievably attractive form , Only by a super genius, Jean Claude Elena. I own a copy of the 2016 production, its performance is good, its longevity is high, with a sillage more than average, the design of the perfume bottle is very attractive, and it is the most design of a perfume bottle that I like. I smell orange with beautiful notes of cardamom, caraway, vetiver , perfectly balanced, between freshness and warmth, woods , spices, citruses ,flowers.Comfortable , high quality scent, it is the perfect perfume for me, because of it I became attracted to every perfume I hear it contains cardamom, which is perfectly employed here. A perfume for all seasons, for morning and evening, but I prefer it in times of moderate temperatures, and I think that it fits with formal or semi-formal clothes, and I do not think that young people in the prime of life will like it, so it needs to be tried before buying. It is one of the most perfumes that brought me positive comments and compliments. Several times I was asked about the name of the perfume that I wear, and womens find it very beautiful for men, so If you want to look like you smell elegant and attractive and give the impression that your taste is high, this The fragrance you are looking for . It's the signature perfume

One of my favorite releases from the 1990s, Declaration sees master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena heavily inspired by his mentor Edmond Roudnitska, with Declaration inheriting qualities from the latter's seminal Eau d'Hermes. However, the modern palette, including ozonic materials, allows for Ellena to add sophisticated dimension and exciting dynamics. The citruses, particularly an exhilarating bitter orange and quenching mandarin, are elevated by an effusive, camphorous cardamom, woody, cool and bright—the most forward note to my nose. Then we find its ensconced in umbellifers: the warm, carnal feel of cumin and caraway. It is here that we see where Ellena draws inspiration from Eau d'Hermes. However, there is an aromatic artery running through Declaration, reminiscent of birch leaves in a sauna, the somewhat minty pinch of armoise, with the addition of a tea-like hedione. The heart has a notable ginger as these aromatics settle. There's an even-keeled dose of Iso E Super, just enough so as to exalt the woody fond of vetiver and cedar. This is where we can see it as the progenitor for Ellena's Terre d'Hermes, where he would ramp up the IES for that so-called "flinty" effect. What's also noteworthy is the use of irones (orris) to bring it all into a softer focus, keeping the spikes and spurs in check, and accounting for a certain formal panache. Declaration is technical mastery brought to a mainstream release, pushing the envelope just enough, exciting and somewhat polarizing. But how does it feel? For me, it feels blissful, elegant, and sensual, all in measured amounts.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved cardamom. Guatemala, our tiny country, is the world’s biggest producer. India comes in second. Here, it’s mostly destined for export, but in the northern lowlands around Cobán where it’s cultivated, cardamom is used to spice up our coffee as well as our traditional Mayan hot chocolate: a thickly delicious, mind-altering, life-affirming, ceremonial brew. So when I first sniffed Déclaration by Jean-Claude Elléna, whose Terre d’Hermès had gotten me hooked on fragrance, I was smitten. This is first and foremost a cardamom scent: cool, aromatic, woody, slightly terpenic, a tinge animalic, and utterly uplifting. It’s been said that this is Elléna’s homage to Eau d’Hermès by his master Edmond Roudnitska: allegedly, the only perfume that Elléna wears, on the rare occasions when he actually wears anything. Déclaration begins with bitter orange and juicy mandarin, before the protagonist takes over. Caraway and cumin bring a carnal, suggestively animalic aspect, while the birch, juniper, and tea leaves render the composition camphoraceous and warm. The ginger and black pepper are noticeable before the cedar in the base (Iso E Super) begins to hum. I love to wear this. I find it versatile, elegant, subtle yet diffusive, and deceptively straightforward. It has enough depth to keep it interesting, inviting, and sensuous. It’s a mainstay in my wardrobe, and even though I’ve acquired more novel offerings over time, the growing dent in my bottle attests to how often I reach for it.

Seriously, this feels like a new discovery of an old love... this is my 5th or maybe 6th bottle after a long break... and I'm very impressed by how it’s still gorgeous and performs so well after all these years, even in 2024! I thought I was done with it, but no, I was wrong! I'm in love all over again... It’s still incredibly gentlemanly, uplifting, and enjoyable to wear... nostalgic, It reminds me of how life was relaxing and slow-paced 20 years ago. It’s fascinating how you can pick out every single note separately and at the same time enjoy how they all blend together... confusing in a very good way! To my nose, Cartier Declaration is shockingly bitter and sour-aromatic in the opening, which may feel unusual... but within an hour, the race between the sweet and sour citruses begins, accompanied with the beautiful warmth of spices in the background which adding depth and seriousness.... after a couple of hours, it ends with an amazing orange/amber combo plus a touch of whats remains of the freshness from the beginning. The performance is much better than I remembered ... 2 hours of projection, lasting 7+ hours, and even lasting into the next day on clothes... I couldn’t be happier! For me, it’s still a 'love' It’s complex, gentlemanly, and elegant 🤍 10/10 ... there will be no breaks again!

بعض العطور هي مجرد عطور و البعض الآخر هو فكرة، الأفكار لا تموت و كذلك هذه العطور القليلة المتفردة التي تصنع الفرق و تمهد الطريق لعشرات المحاكيات لتصبح نوعا بنفسها من العطور ديكلارسيون من كارتييه هو عطر متفرد، عطر حمضي تابلي خشبي دخاني، أعتقد أنه لا يوجد عطر آخر في الفترة بين كوول وواتر و حتى ديور هوم 2005 كان بقوة و جمال و تأثير هذه الأيقونة من الفنان جان كلود إلينا الافتتاحية حمضية من البرتقال مع البرغموت مع اضافة تابلية من الكاروية و لمسة دخانية من أخشاب البتولا، يبدأ بعدها قلب العطر و هو امتداد للمقدمة مع تركيز على التوابل هي الهيل و الفلفل الأسود ثم يختتم بقاعدة خشبية مع الفيتفر حفل التوابل هذا في الواقع متناغم جدا و غير منفر بل بالعكس يبدو رجوليا و فخما، هذه الحرفية هي ما نقل إلينا بعدها ليكون عطار دار هرمز و ليصنع معهم أنجح عطورهم الرجالية تيري هيرمز الذي بالمناسبة يستوحي الفكرة الأساسية من هذا العطر مع الكثير من التجريد: الحمضيات و التوابل و الأخشاب العطر ألهم العديد من المحاكيات و كذلك ترك بصمة واضحة في عديد الاصدارات العالمية بعده، ايحاء و تدرج ديكلارسيون بالنسبة لي لا يخفى في ديور هوم 2005 أو تيري هيرمز عطر يناسب جميع الأوقات و المناسبات ، يبدع أكثر في صباح الأجواء المعتدلة مثل الربيع و الخريف الأداء جيد جدا بثبات يصل ل 10 ساعات و فوحان جيد خلال أول 2-4 ساعات التقييم 4.85/5

After falling in love with Pasha I dared to try another favorite in the Cartier line. I will have to agree with those who compare this to the legendary Terre de Hermes. The vetiver base note is identical to both, and they both fit within the same category. Both are excellent fits for Spring and Fall, but whereas TdH is darker, damper, and more boreal, Declaration is brighter, fresher, and more airy. Because of this divergence, I believe Declaration to be the more versatile fragrance. I think it is more at home in the transitional seasons, but because of its fresh and airy brightness it is also suitable for the summer months. Both are very gentlemanly - they go together like Yin and Yang. Where some fragrances are "either/or ", these two are "both/and". You decide for yourself, but for my part I bought both. Update: after buying a bottle and wearing it for a week straight I’m so much more enamored with this fragrance. I feel like I could bathe in it. My signature fragrance is Guerlain Héritage, but this is a *very* close second.

Declaration changes more than any fragrance in recent memory. It starts off (to my nose) with a perfectly restrained cumin note that resembles sawdust (and not B.O.). It turns into a sweet floral where the neroli and the citrus shines through for the rest of the day. I liked it, and I respect it for originality. It’s certainly better than almost anything being pushed at the counters these days. I think it’s signature scent worthy, quite sophisticated, and would be a good addition to any collection. The bottle is original as well. I just wouldn’t buy it for myself. Update: Finished a 3ml sample today and this has become a memorable and somewhat addicting scent that I want to return to. For now I’m going to spend half the price on Tous 1920 the Origin EDP in hopes that is as similar as folks say it is. 2nd Update: I’m freaking LOVING Tous 1920 edp, but I respect this perfume so much that I might buy a bottle.

Jean-Claude Ellena is a master of evoking depth through citrus accords. No one does it better. When you wear this or Terre d'Hermes, be prepared to experience a masterclass in exploring every corner possible in working with citrus accords. He also has a way of evoking freshness in his scents, not from citrus itself, but from other notes instead. Declaration is mostly bitter oranges and raw cardamom on my skin, but with layers and layers of funky spices and woods. The scent feels simple and two-dimensional at first, but as you inhale deeper and live with it longer, you'll start noticing that it's constantly "moving" like a living entity on skin, teasing you with freshness on one side and sensual depth and complexity on the other side. There is a sense of calmness and grounding in Declaration, the same exact way it's there in Terre d'Hermes. What a perfumer. What a legend.

I had to walk a long journey before fully appreciating this fragrance. When I smelled this at the beginning of collecting fragrances 6 years ago I just smelled a body lotion. Now I get the whole complexity of this lovely potion. Bitter orange, coriander, smoky birch and touch of creamy iris. I highly regard this fragrance as one of the best creations. Other entries in the line are also great, but the original is unbeaten in my opinion. I firstly got into Bleu Noir line from Narciso Rodriguez. It strips the DNA of its complexity and makes it more wearable and approachable. Not a bad thing, it depends on what you prefer. I am glad that there is a blue style variation of this DNA. Also, I don't get any body odor from this. Just spiciness that gives it a full body. New bottle design is great. The magnetic holder for the sprayer works much better than the previous flimsy one.

A masterpiece, a brilliant, distinct, elegant and masculine gentleman scent. The fresh opening with the bitter orange is exceptional, spices provide an aromatic kick with a smooth leather, woody-green base; projecting class and sophistication in every part of its aromatic and intriguing journey through an oriental spice market. Interestingly, one may get different notes highlights, depending on the weather, another nice characteristic. And because it does all of this, Declaration belongs to the all-time greats like Guerlain's Habit Rouge, Heritage and Vetiver. Contrary to some other reviews, I do not get any BO, just Asian spices - applies to all Declarations. Performance is good, the overall quality and enjoyment very high. Aside from this, I prefer Declaration over many other "fresh" scents; I do like and enjoy the DNA. Signature worthy.

A million dollars and more, if I have to pick up a scent for my life, this would be it, but I need to discover more sadly, but my statement is valid. It's a killer of a fragrance! Classy, always sharp, I can't even describe it, but I know that this number is the only that came to my nose and knew that I fell in love after my poorly rejected Pure Life, so in a sense that's a granddaddy. And for final points, just think about your collection, how many meh fragrances you have, and if you're a fan of this, how many do you need? Big love! What is this? I have no clue, so much going on, but I know that the only time I wear it is special occasions, mainly detecting spices and woods, so you can call it a modern fougére. Performance for me is weak as hell, but damn, the world would be much more of a dry place without this masterpiece!

Unexpectedly fell in love with this one. Tried it out bc of the comparison to L'Artisan Parfumeur’s Venenum and where Venenum has a beautiful lactonic sweetness, Déclaration feels more organic, not exactly green but in a similar genre as Terre d’Hermes, especially with the pepper notes embedded in what might be the Oranges. Both Venenum and Déclaration have a slight ‘animalistic’ note on me that I think some people experience as unpleasant/stronger on themselves, but I for one really enjoy it. Makes it strangely ‘real’. Got this as a steal and am so thankful. Couldn’t stop smelling myself hahaha. Very classic and confident, but in no way the usual boring male fragrance. Can also absolutely see this on any gender. Just class with a slight edge of real nature. Would also definitely recommend trying it on skin before purchasing.

Jean Claude Ellena is my favorite perfumer. His creations were my gateway into the world of fragrance in the early 2000s, when I was still just a child discovering what scent could mean. My father wore Déclaration back then and he still does today. I waited impatiently until my thirties, feeling I had to earn the right to wear that fragrance. Now, Ellena’s Déclaration EDT is my signature scent. To me, it evokes the memory of finely lacquered, high quality furniture from the 1990s objects that carried a quiet authority and unmistakable craftsmanship. It reminds me of a time when quality was deeply felt, not loudly announced. I believe this is a fragrance every man should have in his collection. It stands as a true masterpiece an ancestral pillar, predating Hermès and so many others. Timeless, dignified, and profoundly human

Every time I spray this on, all I get is bitter orange. There's a little earthiness. If I really smell for it, maybe I get the tiniest bit of spice. But really it's just bitter orange. Everything else in this supports the bitter orange so effortlessly that it feels like a single note. It's almost just an orange zest note. And I love it. I don't know why, but I keep grabbing for this and I like it more every time I spray it on. I don't get a big rush of "wow" from it the way I do with some heavy-hitting fragrances, but this scent is just so pleasant. I've gone through a couple of samples of this and I was sad when I finished the second. A bigger bottle is on the way. Longevity seems short. I don't care. Sillage is weak. I don't care. I will wear this in the dead of winter at night because it's such a pleasant scent.

Challenging frag, in a unique kind of way. I get where people are coming from when they mention the BO feel, specially in the opening. That's the Caraway doing it's thing and to be honest i'm not a fan. After it settles though, it changes up and more facets of the scent pop up and you can definetly say it's a complex fragrance. I really enjoy the drydown, so this is a weird one for me, and also i have nothing else like this in my collection. Although people say this is a "warm weather" scent i completely disagree: The hotter the day, the more potent that BO feel shows itself. On milder climate or in a temperature controlled ambient, this really shines. It is classy and sophisticated, but also it's one of those that smells better in the air than when you sniff directly off your skin.

Woah, what a difference 17 years can make! Compared to Santos, Declaration is in a whole different league. This is a soothing, warm spicy fragrance that definitely gives off the "fresh/crisp money" vibe. It also has a similarity to Eterno by Vince Camuto, which I also find unique and appealing. This is likely due to the citrus top, pepper mid, and cedar base. I am really glad I found this, and that Cartier redeemed itself from the bad taste it left me with from Santos. I'm really excited to wear this one more. *Update*: Yeah, this is definitely one of my favorite fragrances to wear, and my best blind buy to date. This is one I'll wear more for my own pleasure than anyone else's. I know it's not going to be mass appealing, but the right people will appreciate it. 9/10

I'm reminded of Habit Rouge, not so much in the sense of composition but in the way that when this fragrance is applied and given time and space to settle.. to diffuse and as some say 'breathe', if you walk past and smell this radiating off of someone.. you'll want to linger, and get some more. Up close (and especially on a balmy day) this can be a little much with the spices and orris and amber imho. Wear this on one day, wear Terre d'Hermes ETF the next, then the original Terre' on the third, before Eau d'Hermes on the fourth and it's like you met the whole family :) Can we call this a classic of late 20th century French perfumery? I think I'm going to. My second round with this, in the form of a 2002 bottle. I get it, this second time around. Big thumbs up!