Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella presents the "I Giardini Medicei" Eaux de Parfum Collection
L'Officina rediscovers its botanical roots with four expertly composed Eaux de Parfum to redefine the role of artistic perfume making today
Eight centuries of history, research and tradition to create the perfect essence. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella presents the "I Gardini Medicei" collection, four Eaux de Parfum– Iris, Bizzarria, Gelsomino and Magnolia – which come from a philological work of reconstruction through which the Florentine maison traced back to the origins of several specific varieties of flowers and plants whose roots are inextricably linked to the history of Florence and the Medici family.
"For us, this is a dream that we have finally made come true: meticulous research has led us to rediscover some of the rarest botanical species of the Medici era. Four unique olfactory stories, which can connect the Officina to the deepest part of its soul." Gian Luca Perris, CEO and Master Perfumer of the Florentine maison, commented on the preparatory work that gave life to "I Gardini Medicei".
THE MEDICI GARDENS: THE SEARCH FOR INNER BEAUTY
Beauty and wonder, two of the pillars on which the heritage of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is based, are combined here with botanical discovery. In sixteenth-century Florence, they began to cultivate citrus fruits in the Giardini Medicei (Medici Gardens) for purely aesthetic purposes: they were intended to be looked at and contemplated; they were not used for culinary purposes. They were seen as an allegory of eternal life: a citrus fruit continuously produces leaves, flowers or fruit, its vital essence knows no end.
THE MEDICI VILLAS: HERITAGE OF INNOVATION
The Medici family's botanical experiments were conducted in the large country villas built between the 15th and 17th centuries: in 2013 UNESCO recognised the gardens of fourteen Tuscan Medici Villas among the masterpieces of world heritage. In homage to this extraordinary page in Florentine history, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica, in conjunction with the presentation of the new collection of "I Gardini Medicei" Eaux de Parfum, announced its commitment by restoring the Secret Garden of the Villa Medici in Castello. Precisely because it was in places like this, gardens in which expert botanists passionately cultivated plants and herbs with a range of kaleidoscopic colours and heady scents, where the essences that have made Officina Profumo Farmaceutica famous all over the world were created and continue to be created.
BLOOMING IN PARADISE
To celebrate the launch of the new Eaux de Parfum collection and to enhance the work of rediscovery and exaltation of typically Florentine botanical and floral raw materials, the Officina has commissioned Blooming in Paradise from Felice Limosani. From June 12 to November 12, 2023 in Via della Scala 16 in Florence, this immersive art experience will envelop the museum spaces of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in an atmosphere of great visual, sound and olfactory impact, offering perception, sensoriality and beauty.
IRIS: THE ESSENCE OF TIME ITSELF
An intimate but assertive fragrance. A bouquet that is both delicate and intensely bright. Top notes of galbanum, timur pepper and orange flower meet heart notes of geranium, champak and Arabian jasmine. The base notes include musk and ambergris, but above all the concrete of Florentine iris. An incredibly precious raw material, obtained after six years of decantation from the rhizomes of iris flowers growing in the Florentine hills.
JASMINE: THE FAVOURITE OF THE SECRET GREENHOUSE
The jasmine that arrived from Goa in 1688 as a gift for Cosimo III De' Medici was a particular variety, more similar to a small rose than to classic jasmine. Bold scent structure comprised of bergamot, mandarin and pink peppercorn in the top notes. In the heart notes, the mystery is revealed with an absolute of Arabian jasmine, geranium and ylang ylang. Then it opens up completely with cedar wood and musk scents.
BIZARRIA: ODE TO UNIQUENESS
Bizzarria is a very rare natural periclinal chimera (defined as a "a mosaic formed by tissues from two or more species") of bitter orange, citron and lemon. The structure of its scent is immediately fascinating with Timur pepper and the ambiguous but unmistakable sweetness of orange flowers. The scent then takes you to the heart notes of absolute (the most precious extract) of orange blossom, davana and ginger. The base consists of enticing notes of cedar wood and musk.
MAGNOLIA: A PRODIGIOUS TREE
Magnolia Grandiflora, commonly known as Southern Magnolia or Bull Bay, is an evergreen tree dating back to prehistoric times, which has been able to adapt to different environments throughout the ages, while preserving its peculiarity.
Its scent structure is built upon a powerful opening of white rose and geranium.
It expresses its depth with heart notes of southern magnolia, paired with absolutes of champak and Arabian jasmine. At the base, amber and musk provide an intoxicating finish.
