L'Officina rediscovers its botanical roots with four expertly composed Eaux de Parfum to redefine the role of artistic perfume making today

Eight centuries of history, research and tradition to create the perfect essence. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella presents the "I Gardini Medicei" collection, four Eaux de Parfum– Iris, Bizzarria, Gelsomino and Magnolia – which come from a philological work of reconstruction through which the Florentine maison traced back to the origins of several specific varieties of flowers and plants whose roots are inextricably linked to the history of Florence and the Medici family.

"For us, this is a dream that we have finally made come true: meticulous research has led us to rediscover some of the rarest botanical species of the Medici era. Four unique olfactory stories, which can connect the Officina to the deepest part of its soul." Gian Luca Perris, CEO and Master Perfumer of the Florentine maison, commented on the preparatory work that gave life to "I Gardini Medicei".

THE MEDICI GARDENS: THE SEARCH FOR INNER BEAUTY

Beauty and wonder, two of the pillars on which the heritage of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is based, are combined here with botanical discovery. In sixteenth-century Florence, they began to cultivate citrus fruits in the Giardini Medicei (Medici Gardens) for purely aesthetic purposes: they were intended to be looked at and contemplated; they were not used for culinary purposes. They were seen as an allegory of eternal life: a citrus fruit continuously produces leaves, flowers or fruit, its vital essence knows no end.

THE MEDICI VILLAS: HERITAGE OF INNOVATION

The Medici family's botanical experiments were conducted in the large country villas built between the 15th and 17th centuries: in 2013 UNESCO recognised the gardens of fourteen Tuscan Medici Villas among the masterpieces of world heritage. In homage to this extraordinary page in Florentine history, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica, in conjunction with the presentation of the new collection of "I Gardini Medicei" Eaux de Parfum, announced its commitment by restoring the Secret Garden of the Villa Medici in Castello. Precisely because it was in places like this, gardens in which expert botanists passionately cultivated plants and herbs with a range of kaleidoscopic colours and heady scents, where the essences that have made Officina Profumo Farmaceutica famous all over the world were created and continue to be created.

BLOOMING IN PARADISE

To celebrate the launch of the new Eaux de Parfum collection and to enhance the work of rediscovery and exaltation of typically Florentine botanical and floral raw materials, the Officina has commissioned Blooming in Paradise from Felice Limosani. From June 12 to November 12, 2023 in Via della Scala 16 in Florence, this immersive art experience will envelop the museum spaces of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in an atmosphere of great visual, sound and olfactory impact, offering perception, sensoriality and beauty.