NOSE BEHIND THE FRAGRANCE

You would expect an esteemed parfumier who has created iconic fragrances from Calvin Klein’s CK One to Bulgari’s Man In Black to have his nose up in the air. Not Alberto Morillas. Friendly, warm and inviting, Morillas opened up about creating the Bulgari Man Wood Essence and more, making the moment spent with the legend well worth travelling 13 hours for.

What was the sta ing point of creating the new fragrance?

I was given three pictures, one was of a tree taken very close up and another taken from a distance. The third picture was of a very new, high-tech building.

What are your favourite pa s of a fragrance?

The beginning (the top notes). For me, that is a very powerful moment. It’s the same when you have a relationship: that first instance when you see the person is something you’ll remember very well because you feel an intense emotion. This is also when I start to experiment (with a fragrance).

Can you describe Bulgari Man’s Essence Wood to us?

Easy to wear and very masculine. Not masculine in a macho sense, but educated. I think it’s very attractive when sprayed on the skin. It’s... intriguing.

How do you bridge the gap between what consumers like and what you like?

I never think about the consumer. Because if you do, it destroys your clarity. You need to first put your own emotion in the bottle. And then if people love what I create, it makes me very happy.

Who can you see wearing this fragrance?

Anyone. I think the perfume is not just for one person. I never think about a man or woman when I create. I think about mixing an element with an emotion.