At the beginning of May, on a rainy day, we were invited at the St. George’s Penthouse Suite of The Westbury Mayfair to view the collaboration of 2 creative identities from Venice; Biennale artist Anna Paola Cibin premiered her textile spring collection and Luxury fragrance house The Merchant of Venice their 4 new perfumes.
Anna Paola Cibin's textiles provided the perfect background for The Merchant of Venice; a brand of artistic perfumery inspired by the city of Venice and its centuries-old trade with the Orient. Established in 2013, the concept takes its inspiration from the rich history of the city of Venice, with particular reference to the period of its maximum commercial splendor. Between the 13th and the 16th century, Venice became the first European power due to the mude: naval convoys organized by the Venetian Republic to trade goods like spices, textiles, silks, gems, gold, and essential oils from Asia to the European markets. These exotic materials were new to the West and shaped the future of perfume as we know it!
All of the Murano Collection fragrances are housed in exquisite bottles, the colour and shape of which are inspired by the processing techniques from the longstanding tradition of Murano glass-making.
RED POTION
The newest addition to the signature Murano Collection, Red Potion, takes us on a journey from the Northern borders of the African coast across the Mediterranean into Venice, following the trade route of La Muda del Trafego. The scents of the indigenous plants and flowers of these lands have been captured to create a heady scent that features orange blossom, rosemary, and the caramel-esque notes of immortelle.
Top Notes: Golden Immortelle, Orange, Marigold
Heart Notes: Orange flowers, Rosemary, Honeysuckle
Base Notes: Tonka beans, Sandalwood, Lichen accord
The red symbolises the fire-coloured sunsets reflected in the ripples of the lagoon, the red velvets of the gondolas, the Venetian flag charged with the Golden Lion of St. Mark’s passant across a red background, the nobility of Venice, the warm natural pigment of red Venetian buildings, and the colour often used in Italian Renaissance paintings.
I found another statue on a day out - this one located at Henley - on - Thames, of a mermaid and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to capture the soul of this fragrance as it's bright and fiery, sweet and dry at the same time, beautifully balanced, as it opens bright, spicy and dry and the rich floral heart takes you through a journey of beauty among the blooming fields until it settles to a warm and sweet drydown. It's somehow juicy and a fruity impression comes through enhancing my belief that it's the true embodiment of the colour red!
UK Stockist: Harrods, available from 30th May 2019
The other 2 additions to the Murano Collection line were
Andalusian Soul and Mystic Incense.
ANDALUSIAN SOUL
Andalusian Soul is dedicated to the Muda di Barbaria and to the raw materials traded through it. This maritime route connected the Venetian Republic with Morocco and Southern Spain, trading mainly in savory herbs, ribbed melilot (sweet clover), turpentine resin, rosemary, orange blossom, and Indian sandalwood.
Top Notes: Acacia, Amber, Rum
Heart Notes: Smoky Accord, Balsamic Accord, Cistus, Labdanum
Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Sage
Refined and bright Acacia, elegant and sensually Vanilla, intense and sensuous amber… A sublime mix of noble and important raw materials made more charming by balsamic tones and aromatic sage. This daring creation full of femininity, is enriched by acacia touches and solar rum.
Warm and sunny, sweet and sensuous, Andalusian Soul, is a fantastic summer fragrance (or worn during colder weather to remind you of the warm summer nights) that marries the elegance, warmth and mystery of the sunny lands of its origin.
MYSTIC INCENSE
Mystic Incense takes its inspiration from the Muda di Siria , a route that connected Venice to the Lebanese Coast and Cyprus, through which were traded mainly labdanum, liquid storax, Damask rose, balsam tree, saffron, and incense. This mystical composition is enclosed in a precious green and brown bottle featuring a design that interprets the historical traditions of Murano glassmaking.
Top Notes: Salty Caramel, Dried Fruit Accord
Heart Notes: Blond Woods, Incense
Base Notes: Incense, Cocoa Absolute
Mystic Incense is a new and sophisticated interpretation of incense, beautifully combined with the other notes to create a warm woody / gourmand scent that is both modern and seductive.
Both are available from Harvey Nichols , House of Fraser and Selfridges
VENETIAN BLUE INTENSE
The masculine collection by The Merchant of Venice, called Nobil Homo is now enriched with the launch of a new concentrèe fragrance: Venetian Blue Intense.
This olfactory masterpiece is connected to the concept of the Venetian Nobil Homo, a cosmopolitan and curious adventurer, whose fortune comes from travel and trade.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Apple, Lemon, Pineapple, Pink Peppercorn
Heart Notes: Black Pepper, Birch, Patchouli
Base Notes: Moss, Ambergris, Musk
I would very easily wear this one myself as I love the combination of marine and fougère notes with a musky and smoky base. In Venetian Blue Intense the fresh spices mingle with the energy of the citrus and the surprising addition of juicy apple and pineapple elevate the level of freshness the scent brings! Patchouli and birch come in to diffuse the scent and take it into the fougère territory while moss, ambergris and musk work together to intensify the composition and capture the aspect of the man (or woman) who loves to be daring and extraordinary.
Available in the UK from Harvey Nichols and Selfridges