Island escape
WATER, touted as “blue gold”, was considered the ultimate luxury by ancient Greeks and Romans. It is also one of the important elements for Bulgari – with its GreekRoman roots – when it comes to Aqua Amara, its fragrance based on the nobility of water.
Hence, to launch the men’s scent on a regional scale, the Italian luxury house picked Bali, the island of gods. The Indonesian island – blessed with lush vegetation and natural water sources rich in mineral – proved to be the perfect locale.
Media members from all over Asia were flown to Bali early this year. From a tonic spa session to a massage, as well as sunset cocktails and a nature trail hike, they were able to experience the richness of water and nature, their health benefits as well as association with Aqua Amara.
They were also shown a video clip detailing the makings of |Aqua Amara. This included a behindthe-scenes look at its campaign, featuring Spanish model Jon Kortajarena.
Presently one of fashion’s biggest names, Kortajarena, 28 (who had a supporting role in Tom Ford’s A Single Man) was photographed on the beach in Capri by Mario Sorrenti.
According to Cavallier, Aqua Amara means “bitter water”.
“This notion of bitterness is strongly anchored in the history of Italy, especially its cuisine, in which there is always a little bitterness in the sweet. This is the central accord in the creation of the fragrance,” says Cavallier.
The Sicilian Mandarin, which is central to Aqua Amara, expresses different characteristics throughout the life of the fragrance: vibrant and dynamic at the top, floral in the middle and fruity at the base.
“I reworked the raw essence of the mandarin to re-establish the balance between fruitiness and bitterness. Only the noblest, richest and most faceted essence was reserved,” enthuses Cavallier.
As a contrast to the slightly sweeter mandarin essence, neroli is used.
“This essence is extremely interesting because it has a fresh, floral, orange tree aspect. Gentle, of course, but what is interesting is that it has a faintly bitter spike.”
Indonesian patchouli is also a pivotal ingredient.
“To give Aqua Amara a different, complementary signature, I created an essence of patchouli obtained through fractioning,” explains Cavallier.
“For the first time in perfumery, we were able to isolate patchoulol (the olfactive principle of patchouli) and were able to use it in the fragrance. Patchoulol is extremely perfumed, woody and elegant. It gives Aqua Amara its signature, one that is gentle, yet strong and woody – a tranquil strength on your skin.”
Last but certainly not least, Cavallier incorporated olibanum.
“I wanted a heart note of incense with a slight smokiness that is not normally characteristic of olibanum and I wanted this fresh effect, a prolonged aldehyde note lasting until the dry-down that would give Aqua Amara its mineral character.
“The pleasurableness of freshness allied with mineral ingredients, and notes of wood and olibanum express the richness of the Roman world so precious to Bulgari,” concludes Cavallier.
Bulgari’s Aqua Amara EDT is priced at RM256 (50ml) and RM345 (100ml) and will be available at major department stores next month.