History
Since the Egyptian civilization the perfume has many functions including a sacred one, of seduction, of vitality, of wellbeing but also medical through the aromatherapy.
The use of perfumes imported from the Arab world was widespread in Italy since the Renaissance. The perfume becomes a sign of distinction between nobles and rich people.
During the Renaissance, in Florence it was established as the guild of the speziali, especially because the perfumers were solicited by the requests of famous women, such as Isabella d’Este, Caterina dei Medici, Lucrezia Borgia. Therefore Florence was considered the center of European creation for a long time .
In 1600 the Acqua di Colonia was born.
According to some, his “inventor” was Gian Paolo Feminis, a Santa Maria Maggiore native.
Feminis created and produced a substance that, according to him, heals all sufferings. It is called Aqua Mirabilis.
According to others, the “inventor” of the essence was another Italian, Giovanni Maria Farina.
The formula includes about thirty essences, including lemon, citron, orange, grapefruit, lavender, thyme and rosemary. The creation of Cologne water marked the beginning of modern perfumery.
Today’s Production:
To make the essence of natural perfumes, the artisan perfumeries are always looking for the best raw materials, then the essential oils are extracted respecting the time of maceration and filtration to ensure a persistence different from that derived from industrial processes and ingredients of a chemical nature.
A tailor made perfume, is the result of an alchemical process, through which the Master Perfumer, after a careful analysis of the client, focused on the choice of raw materials and aromas which express the best taste and memory of distant memories, creates an exclusive essence able to evoke a state of ecstasy and happiness.
The result is a unique and original fragrance, which, through the sense of smell, it is able to create harmony with oneself.
There are numerous artisan perfumeries in Italy, such as L’Officina Profumo di Santa Maria Novella and Lorenzo Villoresi..