Acqua Di Parma
Someday I will write a book and title it, “Greatest Creations of 20th Century Italy”. The fragrance Acqua Di Parma will have its place firmly set, right in between the 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa and Nutella.
Acqua Di Parma Colonia recently celebrated a 100 year birthday. It was originally custom blended to the specifications of a discerning Italian client who desired an alternative to the most popular fragrance of the day, “Cologne”, which then referred to a specific scent originating from and named for the city of Köln Germany.
From the beginning Acqua Di Parma enjoyed swift success around Italy, but its world-wide popularity was firmly established by the Hollywood jet set of the 1950’s who discovered it while vacationing throughout the mediterranean. Think Douglas Fairbanks on holiday in the Amalfi coast, or Marcello Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita. That’s Acqua Di Parma.
The scent and its recipe have changed very little over the years, and the bottle design and packaging with its distinctive black bakelite cap have remained virtually unchanged. As for the scent itself, at the top, Acqua Di Parma boasts sweet citrus, and evolves with lavender, rosemary, and verbena. At its heart is a base of sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver grass. It is distinctive, though never overbearing and somehow manages to remain modern, even as it passes the century mark. My SO hates it, but I love it so I wear it anyway. Happy 100th birthday.