Venice and Valmont

The last time I was in Venice, the water level rose precariously leaving me with no choice but to stay on the balcony of my hotel. It was a disquieting experience to watch parts of the city disappear under the sea and yet, it was sublime in the way that nature can be. Venice is the ultimate oeuvre d’art—and the ultimate example of human folly, a city created on land stolen from the Adriatic. Its splendor and vulnerability explain why throughout its history Venice has served as an inspiration for writers, painters and architects. Sophie and Didier Guillon of the Swiss skincare house Valmont are among the latest creators to be enchanted by La Serenissima.

Guillons launched Le Storie Veneziane with five perfumes in 2018, and newest fragrance collections, Collezione Privata and Palazzo Nobile, likewise draw inspiration from Venice, its palaces, gardens, and colors.

The three eaux de parfum of Collezione Privata explore contrasts—between lemony magnolia and sweet patchouli in Jazzy Twist, red rose and golden saffron in Private Mind and white jasmine and dark moss in Lady Code. Aromatics like Egyptian jasmine, Turkish rose, saffron and pepper hint at Venice’s legendary role as Europe’s spice trader and a meeting point between East and West.  Hence, the perfumes are plush and sumptuous.

Palazzo Nobile, for its part, offers five bright and sheer fragrances. They are gauzy silks to Collezione Privata’s warm cashmeres. Sea Bliss takes cues from the Adriatic Sea, and its salty accord touched by musk glitters like sunshine on the lagoon. Bright Poppy and Blooming Ballet capture the delicate texture of flower petals—and the verdant scents of Venetian hidden gardens. Continuing the theme of freshness, Secret Bamboo and Satin Musk interpret the pastel tints of Venice through green and powdery notes. They are not particularly complex, however, and the themes are rather predictable.

A Venetian tale, however, would be incomplete without the city’s most controversial and intriguing character, Giacomo Casanova. Casanova 2161, Valmont’s fragrance inspired by the 18^th-century adventurer and infamous lover has an explosive opening tempered by smoky vetiver and velvety woods. It’s my favorite fragrance from the Venice-inspired collection. It counts on the juxtaposition of cool iris and smoky juniper berries to capture hearts. Unlike its namesake, however, it won’t break them.

Have you tried any of Valmont’s perfumes?