Fragrance 50ml ¥28,600 each, 100ml ¥41,800 each (Santa Maria Novella Japan)
The cherry blossom season is just around the corner. Santa Maria Novella has decided to release a new fragrance for the fresh spring sunshine.
From left to right: Bizzaria, Iris, Magnolia, Gelsomino
For the first time in its 800-year history, the eau de parfum collection focuses on plants closely connected to the history of the Medici family, a prominent family that flourished during the Renaissance in Florence, Italy.
Reading the documents of the time, four plants - bizzaria, iris, magnolia, and gelsomino - give us a sense of the depth of the history of Florence, the city of flowers.
vizaglia
Bizzaria was first identified in Florence in 1644. It was then forgotten for centuries, but was rediscovered in 1980 in the Medici gardens of Villa Medicia di Castello, a very rare citrus fruit.
Its top notes of bizzaria, timur pepper and neroli, middle notes of orange blossom absolute and ginger, and base notes of cedarwood and musk give it a sense of refinement.
gelsomino
Gelsomino del Granduca, a type of jasmine, was brought to Florence in 1688 as a gift from Goa. It is said that Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici was so enchanted by its deep and mysterious fragrance that he secretly built a greenhouse in his garden, forbidding others to cultivate the plant, and that a woman was exempted from the ban because of her love.
This time, based on such fragrance, the top notes are bergamot, tangerine, and pink pepper, the middle notes are sambac jasmine absolute, geranium, and ylang-ylang for a mysterious atmosphere, and the last notes are cedarwood and musk for an impressive finish.
magnolia
Magnolia trees are often more than several hundred years old, and in spring their branches are filled with dignified, beautiful flowers. Magnolia grandiflora was introduced to Florence in the 1700s and has long adorned the front entrance of the Medici family's villa, Villa Medicia di Castello.
The fragrance is full of the power of plants, beginning with the gorgeous scent of white rose and geranium, accented by middle notes of magnolia grandiflora, magnolia champaca, and sambac jasmine, and base notes of amber and musk.
iris
This frenzy is based on the iris flower, a symbol of "protection" in various cultures, which became the coat of arms of Florence in 1266.
Top notes of galbanum, timur pepper, and neroli; middle notes of geranium, magnolia champaca, and sambac jasmine; musk and ambergris in the base; and the rhizome of iris flowers grown in the hills of Florence and extracted over six years to create The fragrance is impressively fragrant with Iris Fiorentina.
The outer box is a faithful reproduction of the binding of a Santa Maria Novella catalog from the late 1800s, and the book-shaped package is based on an 18th century box used to transport plant extracts and essential oils, making it a perfect gift.
It will go on sale on April 1 (Mon.), but will be available for pre-sale from March 27 (Tue.) at the official online store and the pop-up store on the 4th floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku. Please compare with various fragrances here.
