Discover the craftsmanship behind this bergamot scent
Acqua di Parma’s new bergamot scent, Bergamotto di Calabria, is an ode to traditional Italian craft and a citrussy sensory hit
Since its beginnings in 1916, Acqua Di Parma has worked to preserve the traditional craft techniques of the Italian micro-territories. This has manifested itself in products made only from locally sourced ingredients, iconic yellow boxes that are hand-embossed in Parma, razors and brushes made in some of the oldest workshops in Florence, and glass bottles made by Murano glassblowers.
While tradition has always been integral to Acqua di Parma, the brand's latest fragrance goes further than any of its previous endeavours.
The bergamot fragrance is extracted from the citrus fruits through a process known as ‘sponging', which is practised by a small group of Calabrian artisans. It requires the use of a small, spoon-like utensil called a ‘cavatore’, which separates the bergamot orange skin from the pulp. The bergamot rinds are then manually rubbed on sea sponges, which absorb the fragrant essence.
The sponges are hand-squeezed into a container, with the resulting liquid forming the central ingredient of the Bergamotto di Calabria scent.
Sponging demands a great deal of skill and is remarkably time-consuming, with one day of hard work by two artisans producing only about 4kg of essential oil. Yet, the results are incomparable. One spritz of Bergamotto di Calabria is its own small sensory explosion of bright citrus. You practically see yellow when you smell it.
The same attention to craftsmanship is extended to the Bergamotto di Calabria bottle production. The porcelain mix is poured into a ceramic mould, left to sit for 30-40 minutes, and then hand-smoothed before it is baked for eight hours. The solid bottle is hand-painted with images of bergamot oranges and vines, and then a label is applied, made from waste powder from marble quarries.
The final product is a one-of-a-kind cologne, a sort of dressing-table monument to the history of Italian craftsmanship that is worth keeping long after the last spritz.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
INFORMATION
Mary Cleary is a writer based in London and New York. Previously beauty & grooming editor at Wallpaper*, she is now a contributing editor, alongside writing for various publications on all aspects of culture.
-
The best design-led cocktail shakers
If you like your drinks shaken not stirred, these are the best cocktail shakers to take your mixology skills to the next level
By Rosie Conroy Published
-
Tech Editor, Jonathan Bell, selects six new and notable Bluetooth speaker designs, big, small and illuminating
These six wireless speakers signal new creative partnerships and innovative tech approaches in a variety of scales and styles
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
As London’s V&A spotlights Mughal-era design, Santi Jewels tells of its enduring relevance
‘The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence’ is about to open at London’s V&A. Here, Mughal jewellery expert and Santi Jewels founder Krishna Choudhary tells us of the influence the dynasty holds today
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Ginori 1735 launches home fragrances inspired by Catherine de Medici
Italian porcelain company Ginori 1735 has collaborated with designer Luca Nichetto for its first ever home fragrance line
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Winter warmer: Fornasetti Profumi’s alluring ’Misterio’ scented candle
By Christopher Stocks Last updated
-
Making scents: A historic waxworks broadens its reach with Italy-inspired fragrance collection
By Ali Morris Last updated