Sunlit Italian luxury - “Quercia” & “Zafferano” of the “Signature of the Sun” collection, Acqua di Parma
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dear readers, following my previous blog about the prelude to Esxence, the prominent annual perfume expo in Milan, which will be held next month, I would like to revisit another perfume maison that has long captured the imagination of perfume lovers: Acqua di Parma. Instantly recognisable by its iconic, elegant, Art Deco-inspired cylindrical bottle, its black cap resembling a gentleman’s top hat, and its clean white label crowned with the house’s coat of arms, this Italian luxury perfume maison has become a quiet emblem of refined taste. It is a perfume house I have encountered many times over the years, yet, somewhat surprisingly, I had never taken the time to pause at their perfume counter and truly experience their fragrances. That changed recently, when I had the chance to explore several scents from their “Signatures of the Sun” collection, which felt like the gentle invitation to rethink some ideal fragrances for this summer.
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Founded in Parma in 1916 by the dashing Italian Baron Carlo Magnani, the house was created with the aim of capturing the sunny Italian atmosphere through fragrance, after the baron travelled through the epicentres of culture in Paris, London, and New York. The maison Acqua di Parma began with “Colonia”, a fragrance conceived as a lighter, more radiant alternative to the heavier perfumes of its era. Inspired by the Italian sun and the elegance of everyday life, “Colonia” quickly became a signature scent that defined the maison’s identity. Over time, the brand expanded into body and bath products while remaining deeply rooted in Italian perfumery tradition and the art of living. Today, it continues to embody a certain gentlemanly sophistication: polished, effortless, and unmistakably Italian.
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“Quercia” Eau de parfum is a poetically composed woody-aromatic fragrance that feels both uplifting and luxurious. Launched in 2019, it opens with zesty and spicy notes such as lemon, bergamot, petitgrain, and pink pepper, before revealing a heart of cardamom, geranium, and cedarwood. The base of tonka bean, patchouli, and oakmoss gives the scent its earthy depth and lingering warmth. This perfume evokes a morning walk through a forest filled with oak trees, where freshness and shade coexist in perfect balance. It is a fragrance that suggests strength without heaviness, and refinement without effort. It has the presence of someone who is grounded, well-dressed, and entirely at ease in his own skin.
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On the other hand, “Zafferano” Eau de parfum moves the mood into something more intimate and alluring. Launched in 2022, this fragrance opens with mandarin, bergamot, coriander, and orange, while the citrus notes create an immediate impression of brightness and warmth. Then the floral notes begin to develop, as jasmine sambac, geranium, rose, saffron, and orange blossom unfold in a richly layered floral accord that feels both sensual and alluring. It then dries down with vanilla, tonka bean, and patchouli, which soften the composition with creamy depth and a lingering glow. It is a fragrance that feels sumptuous without being excessive, seductive without being obvious; the kind of scent that is an ideal option for a stylish al fresco dinner, a cocktail gathering, or a warm night under the Mediterranean sky that calls for something elegant on the skin.
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As the perfume maison marks 110 years since the creation of “Colonia”, it feels like the right moment to celebrate not only the upcoming perfume expo in Milan, but also this perfume maison’s enduring success and the broader Italian legacy of elegance, craftsmanship, and refined living that it so stylishly represents.
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